 |
First IAF Embraer 145 Jet takes flight : 20th March 2005. Seen here is an
Embraer 145 destined for the IAF on a test flight. Photo Added: 28 April 2005 Courtesy: Indian Air Force. |
 |
INDIAN AIR FORCE PILOTS INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME AT USA New Delhi – April 05, 2005 Two Indian Air Force pilots, Wg Cdr SK Sharma and Flt Lt AB Dhanake received the Laureates trophy at the Smithsonian National Air Space museum in Washington , 05 Apr 05. For the first time in the history of IAF such an award has being conferred on its pilot by the world renowned Smithsonian Aviation & Space Museum at USA. The pilots were chosen by the Aviation Week and Space Technology as the most outstanding achievers in aviation operations category for year 2004 and as their Laureates and would be inducted in the Smithsonian’s Hall of fame. It can be recalled that Wg Cdr Sudhir Kumar Sharma has been awarded the peace time gallantry award ‘Kirti Chakra’ on 26 Jan 05 for his heroic feat of rescuing three critically injured mountaineers from a world record height of 23,260 feet. Flt Lt AB Dhanake was his co-pilot during this mission. The Smithsonian award has being conferred for the same feat. The Smithsonian Air Space museum of Washington USA, falicitates individuals who are selected for making lasting contributions to the advancement of Aerospace and those who apply aviation to the betterment of human kind. Photographs show Wg Cdr Sharma and Flt Lt Dhanake receiving their trophies at the Smithsonian Museum. The Air Attache to the Indian Embassy in the US, Air Commodore Rakesh Jolly is also seen in the photographs. |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
IAF Mi-8s carrying out relief operations in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Tsunami (13 Jan 2005) |