Flight Lieutenant Sohan Singh Heer has been serving in an operational Squadron since July 1967. On 18th December 1969, he was detailed to fly as No. 2 in a four aircraft formation. During the out­bound­leg when the formation was approximately 110 nautical miles away from base, his aircraft was struck by a large bird on the port side of the cockpit. The cockpit was extensively damaged leaving a big hole. His left collar bone was fractured rendering his left arm completely unusable. His crash helmet visor was smeared with blood and small pieces of bird flesh obstructed his vision. The radio aerial had broken with the bird's impact, thus causing total loss of radio communications. Undaunted by his personal injuries and the hazards, he broke off from the formation, set course towards his base and put his radar transponder to "distress" and navigated the aircraft to base and executed a safe landing.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Sohan Singh Heer displayed determination and professional skill of a high order.