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Wing Commander Santosh Kumar Yadav
| Service No & Branch | 25106 F(P) |  | |||||||
| Date of Birth: | Commissioned: 20 Jun 1998 | Course: 161 Course | |||||||
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| Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "S K Yadav" | |||||||||
| Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) | ||||
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| Flt Lt | Santosh Kumar Yadav | 25106 F(P) | Award Date 26 Dec 2004 | Announced 15 Aug 2005 |
| Details : | Flight Lieutenant Santosh Kumar Yadav (25106) Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of DO-228 Squadron, Air Force since 29 Sep 2003. He is an experienced Flying pilot, with 2150 hours.Fit Lt Yadav was on detachment to Air Force Station, Car Nicobar during the month of Dec 2004. On 26 Dec 2004 at 0630 h, Carnicobar was hit by severe Earth-quake followed by Tsunami. During, and after the Tsunami onslaught, he was selfless and courageously involved in helping save lives and organising safe conduct of rescue and relief operations. Braving the rising waters at neck level, without fearing for his own life, he swam towards married quarters to help the families stranded on top of the buildings. During his daring endeavor to save precious lives, he was caught in the massive waves and was swept off for about 200 meters through thick jungle and barely managed to save his life after holding onto the trees and then swimming hard to get out of the killer waves. He came out of water with deep cuts and bruises all over his body. He alongwith the crew taxied the aircraft to safety and gave May Day calls to Chennai on HF radio and requested for rescue and relief. He alongwith the Sqn personnel then went towards the submerged end of runway entering neck deep reptile infested water and helped 15 stranded families to the safety of high ground. Thereafter, he along with the crew bravely entered the water and submerged married quarters looking for survivors. He entered iho half broken, unsafe Officers Mess iinil collected few food Hem / sofl drinks, whirl) was scnl for ladies and children. His farsightedness proved useful to the victims.He flew the first casualty evacuation sortie from Carnicobar in mid- afternoon carrying 20 critically injured survivors. He brought back the much needed life saving medical aid, food and water supplies. He was flying till late night in shorts and T-shirt only, unmindful of his personal needs. He flew for the first time over seas by night with no Navigational aids available and airlifted a total of 60 critically injured casualties helping save lives. His relentless efforts towards search and rescue and total involvement in casualty evacuation/ relief operations resulted in saving lives. It aptly exhibited sense of 'Service Before Self.For this act of exceptional courage In saving lives and bravery in the face of National disaster, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)' to Flight Lieutenant Santosh Kumar Yadav. | |||
| Unit : 41 Sqn | ||||
| Reference : Gazette of India dated 26th November 2005 - No.130-Pres/2005 dated 15th August 2005 & AFD2006 Investiture | ||||
The data in the header section of this page comes from the Gazette of India - Click here to see the source
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Note: All the data available here is publicly available in the Gazette of India, published by the Indian Government, or from public domain sources, press releases about Awards and Right-To-Information (RTI) Requests. Additionally data shared by veterans is added to the page with permission. No data with respect to serving officers below the rank of AVM is displayed. Information in Gazette of India and Award citations and photographs as released by the Indian Air Force are the only details displayed.