Squadron Leader Shantanu Basu was on the posted strength a Cheetah Helicopter Unit at Air Force Station Leh since 22 May 06.

On 11 Apr 07, Sqn Ldr Basu was detailed for an air logistics support sortie to Amar helipad located on the Siachen Glacier, as the leader in a two aircraft formation. The Siachen Glacier is the highest battlefield in the world. Flying over this vast frozen ice mass entails flying in the extremes of climatic conditions over exceedingly inhospitable terrain. The margin for error in this environment, while flying the single engine Cheetah aircraft, is practically non-existent. Amar post has the highest helipad in the world with density altitude exceeding twenty thousand feet and is located on the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL).

The sortie was uneventful till final approach. On short finals, an overshoot had to be initiated as tail winds were encountered. The helicopter experienced a sudden loss of power and height after crossing the helipad. Sqn Ldr Basu maintained his cool in this unusual emergency and handled the situation in a competent manner displaying a high degree of professionalism. He asked his co-pilot to keep a close check on the engine parameters and initially tried to recover the aircraft by reducing the power demand smoothly. The engine jet pipe temperature (JPT) also shot up. Unfortunately, the JPT failed to respond to the emergency actions by the pilot and the aircraft continued to lose height. He therefore took the highly courageous decision of attempting to force land across the AGPL. However, due to the absence of a suitable force landing field in the harsh, snow bound and sloping terrain, the helicopter crashed, giving no chance of survival to the crew. The aircraft crashed about 300 meters ahead of Amar Helipad, in direct line of sight of the Pakistani post.

Sqn Ldr Basu, a true air warrior, made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country, displaying exceptional courage and gallantry in the face of imminent death in dangerous circumstances beyond the call of duty, which are in the best traditions of the IAF.

On 24 August 2003, he was detailed to fly as number two in a three aircraft air maintenance mission in Op-Meghdoot, Ex-Base Camp to Amar and Sonam, the highest helipads in the world.

In the second shuttle from Khanda helipad to Sonam helipad, while climbing past 18,500 feet, the aircraft suddenly yawed to right, with drop in engine and rotor RPM. Flight Lieutenant Nayar, displaying great presence of mind in identifying the emergency as an engine failure, instinctively lowered the collective to put the aircraft into a state of autorotation. An engine failure at such high altitudes demands prompt actions from a pilot after which any other action is futile. He thereafter, in calm and thoroughly professional manner turned towards the foot tract the only safe landing spot in the crevasse prone, undulating terrain and simultaneously gave the May Day call. He executed a flawless autorotative landing, a feat often unheard of at such an elevation. His exceptional situational awareness, skill and professional handling of the emergency resulted in an absolutely safe landing and both the pilots coming out scratch free from the aircraft. Flight lieutenant Nayar's professionalism was also displayed earlier when he executed a safe landing at Leh airfield during an engine failure on 16 February 2002, with only minor damage to the Oleos. His actions are in keeping with the best traditions of the Indian Air Force and attributes of an Air Warrior.

For this act of exceptional gallantry and exemplary professionalism, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Flight Lieutenant Navin Maranatha Nayar.

On 21 November 2003, a Cheetah helicopter of this unit faced control problems and force landed at an altitude of 17,200 feet near a forward post in the Siachen glacier close to the AGPL. The helicopter remained overnight in glacier and its retrieval very next day was inescapable as further delay would have resulted in oil and lubricants getting solidified and helicopter getting submerged under snow due to bad weather resulting in loss of the entire helicopter worth crores. It was under such circumstances that Squadron Leader RS Kumar volunteered to take on the daunting and challenging task of recovering this helicopter. He landed at the crash site the very next day without any acclimatization, which could have caused him a permanent disability or even death. After required checks and rectification the major task was to get the aircraft started. Starting at such altitude calls for innovation and use of unorthodox measures, something not taught at any training institute or in any manual and required an active and fertile mind. Use of petrol in the fuel filter and blowing of oxygen into the air intakes helped to achieve successful start to aero engine and subsequent retrieval of a fully serviceable aircraft, which was otherwise destined to be a beacon in the glacier. He also displayed exemplary courage by opting to fly back as a passenger in the same aircraft, a tribute to his belief in himself. He was thus responsible for the recovery of the strike helicopter.

For this act of exemplary courage and dedicated professionalism wherein he risked his own life to save an aircraft worth crores to exchequer, the Hon`ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Squadron Leader Rakshale Sanjeev Kumar.