On the 4th of June, 1960, Suqadron Leader Ayappan Sudhakaran was carrying out a test flight in a Gnat aircraft – the only one of its kind in India – which was fully instrumented when the engine flamed out at low altitude. He could have abandoned the aircraft and saved his own life but decided to save the aircraft by attempting a forced-landing. In this gallant attempt he lost his life.

Squadron Leader Ayappan Sudhakaran had been a test pilot for nearly three years at Kanpur during which period he made numerous test flights in which he faced great risk to his life and displayed outstanding flying ability and technical knowledge of a very high order. In this incident in which he lost his life he showed courage, devotion to duty and determination in the highest traditions of the Air Force.

Sqn Ldr Chandan Singh was seconded from the Rajasthan State Forces to the Indian Air Force in the General Duties Branch with the rank of Flying Officer in 1946. He qualified as a service pilot in 1949. He was promoted Squadron Leader in 1957. he has devised new techniques for training young pilots in high altitude flying, and has been responsible for the selection of routes which have added to the safety of flights over hazardous mountains. He is one of our outstanding transport pilots.

A twin Pioneer aircraft of the Scottish aviation Company carrying two observers, one from the IAF and the other from the Indian Airlines Corporation, crashed at Jorhat while taking off on an evaluation flight at about 1510 hours on 10th March 1960. It caught fire and set ablaze the surrounding vegetation. Lascar Panikar who was near the spot rushed inside the aircraft and led Sqn Ldr Hedge, the IAF observer, to safety. He also attempted to rescue Captain Wasim Pina, the other observer, who was trapped inside the aircraft. Disregarding his personal safety, Lascar Panikar entered the burning aircraft three times and despite the burns and injuries which he sustained due to the explosion of the fuel tanks, eventually rescued Captain Wasim Pina with the aid of an Army Sepoy.

Lascar Panikar showed great courage and initiative in bringing these two persons out of the burning aircraft and his gallant and selfless act, in complete disregard of his own safety, was in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

During the year 1959-60, the IAF was engaged in supply dropping missions in NEFA and NHTA areas. The aircraft had to operate over treacherous terrain where the weather is unpredictable. The dropping zones were numerous and abnormally small in size. Under the hazardous conditions this young officer showed tremendous zeal and devotion to duty by carrying out a 1000 hours of flying on these missions in little over a year.

His enthusiasm and devotion to duty in the face of adverse flying conditions was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Air Force.

On 1st May 1961, one Dakota aircraft, while on a sortie near the U.P./Tibet border area was reported missing. Squadron Leader Sahgal, who was commanding a Helicopter unit, volunteered to lead the Helicopter Detachment personally to locate the missing aircraft and conduct the rescue operations. This task not only involved reconnaissance over a hazardous mountainous area under unfavourable weather conditions, but also entailed considerable administrative and logistic planning in moving the detachment at short notice to various advanced outposts. He ferried the helicopter form his parent unit to an advanced base on 2nd May commenced intensive search of the area where the aircraft was report4ed to have crashed. Due to conflicting reports regarding he location of the crashed aircraft, it became frequently necessary to modify the operational and logistical plans and adjust it suitably to meet the situation. Next day he resumed the search and succeeded in establishing that the aircraft had not crashed I the area reported. By this time information had been received that the surviving members of the crew had reached one of the advance Army out posts. Squadron Leader Sahgal had therefore to move his detachment further up in order to rescue the survivors who were injured and needed immediate evacuation. Despite the difficult terrain and bad weather, he succeeded in locating a s suitable landing area. In evacuating the survivors, Squadron Leader Sahgal took an extremely bold step to fly out two survivors at a time, there by completing the evacuation in the least possible time. With a view to recover the bodies of the dead, he was detailed to further reconnoiter the area. In spite of fatigue, he carried out the search. During all these flights, Squadron Leader Sahgal had to fly his helicopter practically to the limits of the performance under adverse weather conditions.

Squadron Leader A.B. Patil joined the Air Force in the ranks in 1942. He was commissioned in the GD (P) Branch in 1945. He was appointed Squadron Leader in 1956. He has also served as Commanding Officer of a Logistic Air Force Squadron. Under his leadership this Squadron has carried out over 3,000 hours of flying in less than a year despite difficult flying conditions.

Since the arrival of No. 59 Logistics Air Support Squadron in Assam area, they have been putting in consistent efforts. The difficulties connected with flying conditions that obtain in Assam Valley and using Advance landing grounds are factors already well-known. Despite these handicaps, the Squadron has carried out over 3000 hours of flying in less than a year. Faced with shortage of aircrew as well as ground crew and with limited resources that are available, Sqn. Ldr. Patil has led the Squadron into a bunch of willing workers. During this time, he has himself put in 600 hours of flying and by his hard work, enthusiasm and leadership instilled into the younger pilots, keenness and devotion to duty.

During his service, Squadron Leader Patil has shown skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

The achievement of No. 59 L.A.S Squadron is mainly due to an example set up by their Commanding Officer Sqn. Ldr. Patil. His devotion to duty, tenacity and will are of the highest order.