Details : | Wing Commander Syed Muzaffer Yunus (23781) Flying (Pilot) is the Commanding Officer of a Mi-17 V5 Helicopter Unit at Air Force Station Sarsawa with effect from 11 Jun 12. On 17 Jun 2013, the unit was tasked for 'Operation Rahat' in Uttarakhand. He was the captain of first rescue mission by a Mi-17 V5 helicopter to rescue distressed and injured pilgrims from an unprepared and restricted landing site adjacent to Kedarnath temple at an elevation of approximately 11200 feet. The inclement weather and hilly terrain, made flying the mission an extremely challenging and daunting task. He displayed unparallel professionalism and courage by landing at an unprepared and restricted site close to the standard pilgrims. He was quick enough to pick up the distressed pilgrims including 15 old women and exhausted men, in shortest possible time. catering for inclement weather. Throughout that day, he braved and battled against the weather and executed daring landings at untried and unprepared sites rescuing more than 100 persons. On 21 Jun 2013, once again, Wing Commander Yunus was part of the first Rescue mission at Badrinath, where thousands of pilgrims were standard, at an elevation of 10,300 feet. He displayed fearless determination and evacuated more than 350 pilgrims in one single day to Joshimath involving eighteen sorties. Wing Commander Yunus, with an irrepressible enthusiasm to save the distressed people, used his professional skill, knowledge and determination for successful evacuation for precious lives. During these operations, he flew a total of 96 sorties in 46:00 hours and rescued more than one thousand stranded pilgrims. For this act of exceptional courage and fearless determination, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Wing Commander Syed Muzaffar Yunus. |