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Wing Commander Siddharth Chopra
| Service No & Branch | 29487 F(P) |  | |||||||
| Date of Birth: | Commissioned: 16 Jun 2007 | Course: 179 Course | |||||||
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| Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "S Chopra" | |||||||||
| Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) | ||||
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| Flt Lt | Siddharth Chopra | 29487 F(P) | Award Date 26 Jan 2013 | Announced 26 Jan 2013 |
| Details : | Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Chopra (29487) flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of a An-32 Squadron in Eastern Sector since 09 Jan 12. He is holding CAT(IR 'C/Green' with 630 hours as captain on type. Fit Lt S Chopra was tasked with a Free-fall Para drop sortie for the Akash Ganga Skydiving Team over Royal Calcutta Turf Club on 24 & 25 Feb 2012, with several dignitaries in attendance including Chief of the Air Staff and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command and extensive media coverage. While he was on downwind for a dummy circuit at 8000 feet on 24 Feb 12, one pressure door bracket was found broken after opening the ramp. With the ramp already open, he decided to complete the Para drop and thereafter recover the aircraft with the ramp open to prevent any further damage. Keeping in mind the next day's final mission and aircraft servicing requirement Fit Lt S Chopra decided to carry out a landing with the cargo door in the opened position at Air Force Station Barrackpore. While approaching Air Force Station Barrackpore for a landing, the prevalent strong wind and turbulent conditions added to the control difficulties faced by the pilot. Any harsh manoeuvres would have severely endangered the safety of the aircraft and the lives of the personnel on board. Giving utmost priority to the safety of the aircraft and the personnel on board, Fit Lt S Chopra maintained precise flying parameters to prevent any further damage to the delicate ramp suspension. Before the landing was carried out, he executed a precautionary overshoot to assess the winds and turbulence conditions. Due to the delicate condition of the aircraft and the necessity to land with the ramp in the opened position, which was further compounded by existence of tall trees on short finals and the shorter runway, Flt Lt S Chopra was compelled to land the aircraft with a steeper approach perspective with 38 degree flaps which is not normally practiced. Using all his piloting skills, professionalism and courage, he executed a flawless approach and carried out the stipulated three-pointer landing without any further damage to the ramp. His act of safe recovery of the aircraft ensured that the aircraft snag was rectified and the aircraft was available for the next day's successful drop that was well appreciated and may not have happened otherwise. Flt Lt S Chopra displayed exemplary courage and decision making ability by recovering the aircraft safely from a critical emergency situation and also by saving the precious lives of all its occupants with his commendable flying skills at the time of need. For this act of exceptional courage, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Chopra. | |||
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| Reference : Air Force Day Booklet | ||||
The data in the header section of this page comes from the Gazette of India - Click here to see the source
The URL for this page is http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/29487
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.