| Details : | Group Captain Tulasi Rukmini Ravi (23724-G) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a transport pilot in the Flying branch of Indian Air Force on 16 Dec 95. In his 21 years of service, he has flown 7650 hours. He is a Category 'A' Qualified Flying Instructor on HPT-32, HJT-16 and Category 'A' / Master Green in An-32, IL-76 and C-17. During his service, the officer has held the appointment of Training Officer of an IL-76 Squadron (Sqn), instructor at the prestigious Flying Instructors' School and has been an Air Force Examiner. As the first Flight Commander of the C-17 Squadron, he was instrumental in drafting the Standard Operating Procedures for ope rationalization of the C-17 fleet in IAF. He planned the first ever C-17 landing at Kathmandu which was during Operation (Op) Maitri for Humanitarian Assistance/ Disaster Relief (HAlDR). The fact that it was carried out in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake on a runway with cracks and amidst Air Traffic Control breakdowns, chaotic tarmac control and high frequency of unscheduled traffic is a testimony to the officer's planning ability and professionalism. He was also involved in formulating procedures for formation flypast of C-17 with Su-30 aircraft, which has since been flown in all air displays. He also formulated procedures for C-17 operations at Thoise for regular air maintenance. In his present appointment as Commanding Officer, he undertook the trials for Counter Measure Dispensing System on C-17. The officer planned and executed the first landing by C-17 at the advance landing ground at Mechuka, which was a milestone in the IAF's forward area strategic airlift capability. He undertook the first air drop mission in Exercise Iron Fist, and also the first high altitude low opening airdrop. He spearheaded the HAlDR mission to South Sudan, piloting the first aircraft to evacuate the Indian diaspora out of the afflicted warzone. The mission was flown with Minister of State for External Affairs, General VK Singh (retd) and his team, in a nonstop 36 hours duty cycle. During Op Neer, he landed C-17 at Male for the first time. He has flown in all critical ops like Op Hudhud (AP cyclone), Op Meghrahat (J&K Flood), Op Madad (Chennai flood relief), ops during Gujarat Patidar agitation, airlift of CRPF during Srinagar agitation, Tamil Nadu relief ops and demonetization relief ops. For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to duty) to Group Captain Tulasi Rukmini Ravi. |
