During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Ravindra Vikram Singh was Flight Commander of a Helicopter Unit. He undertook hazardous tasks over difficult terrain. He moulded his team into a highly organized and effective force, capable of giving their best at all times. On the 16th December, 1971, while on a mission to Sylhet, his aircraft which was flying at a height of one kilometre was hit by enemy ground fire and one of the bullets after penetrating the cabin, hit an oil pipe thus resulting in leakage of hot oil into the cabin. He pulled up the aircraft immediately to 1.5 km of height and by this time the reductor oil pressure had started dropping rapidly. It was by then dark and returning to base or to any other airfield was impossible. He, however, brought the aircraft out of enemy area, selected a suitable field at Fenchugari after approximately 15 minutes flying under trying circumstances in complete darkness and made a successful landing and thus saved the aircraft and the lives of the passengers and crew. Earlier on the 8th December, 1971, he brought the aircraft back safely when it was hit just six inches behind the coÂÂpilot seat, twice on main rotor blades and once on main gear box cowling by enemy ground fire. Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Ravindra Vikram Singh displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty. |