Wing Commander Anil Kumar and Wing Commander Rahul Monga were detailed as crew of an IAF microlight aircraft for proceeding on a “'Round-the-world” expedition from 01 June 2007 to 19 August 2007. The expedition flew 10,529 Km, landed at 85 destinations in 19 countries and created a new world record of circumnavigating the world in 80 days, battering the previous world record of 99 days. The mission was flown in a single engine unpressurised aircraft weighing less than 300 Kg, without any redundancy features.

Both the officers faced adverse weather, unfamiliar operating environment and harsh terrain ranging from sub-zero Arctic to scorching deserts and tropical rainforests knowing fully well that survival in case of any eventuality would have been extremely challenging. In these harsh conditions both the officers not only displayed exceptional courage but also professionalism and airmanship of an extremely high order. Inspite of facing severe weather and life threatening technical malfunctions in the small aircraft they continued steadfast in his task despite the risk to their lives, with the aim of bringing glory to the nation and to the IAF.

Wing Commander Anil Kumar and Wing Commander Rahul Monga, thus, displayed thoroughbred soldierly attitude, and conspicuous gallantry in the face of highly challenging task.

Wing Commander Anil Kumar and Wing Commander Rahul Monga were detailed as crew of an IAF microlight aircraft for proceeding on a “'Round-the-world” expedition from 01 June 2007 to 19 August 2007. The expedition flew 10,529 Km, landed at 85 destinations in 19 countries and created a new world record of circumnavigating the world in 80 days, battering the previous world record of 99 days. The mission was flown in a single engine unpressurised aircraft weighing less than 300 Kg, without any redundancy features.

Both the officers faced adverse weather, unfamiliar operating environment and harsh terrain ranging from sub-zero Arctic to scorching deserts and tropical rainforests knowing fully well that survival in case of any eventuality would have been extremely challenging. In these harsh conditions both the officers not only displayed exceptional courage but also professionalism and airmanship of an extremely high order. Inspite of facing severe weather and life threatening technical malfunctions in the small aircraft they continued steadfast in his task despite the risk to their lives, with the aim of bringing glory to the nation and to the IAF.

Wing Commander Anil Kumar and Wing Commander Rahul Monga, thus, displayed thoroughbred soldierly attitude, and conspicuous gallantry in the face of highly challenging task.

On 11 April 2007, Squadron Leader Basu was detailed for an air logistic sortie to Amar helipad located on the Siachen Glacier, as the leader in two aircraft formation. Flying over this vast frozen ice mass entails flying in the extremes of climatic conditions over exceedingly inhospitable terrain.

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 the unusual emergency and handled the situation in a competent manner displaying a high degree of professionalism. He asked his copilot 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 contintued to lose height. He therefore took the highly courageous decision of attempting to force land across the Actual Ground Position Line. However, due to the absence of a suitable force landing field in the harsh, snow bound and sloping terrain, the helicopter crashed having no chance of survival of the crew.

Squadron Leader Shantanu Basu displayed exceptional courage and gallantry in the face of imminent death in dangerous circumstances beyond the call of duty.

On 02 September 2007, Squadron Leader Pranay Kumar was detailed as an additional pilot for a rescue mission. The mission entailed winching up of a citizen stranded in the middle of a gorge of Chambal river affected by flash floods. The prevailing conditions of total darkness were not conducive for operations with unaided vision. The crew took a decision to proceed with the mission on Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) which provided them with better situational awareness.

When the winch cradle was lowered, the survivor could not strap himself to the winch due to extreme fatigue caused by battling the water currents for over six hours. At this juncture, Sqn Ldr Pranay Kumar immediately volunteered to go down to rescue the survivor. Knowing fully well the perils to his own life, he briefed the Flight Gunners on emergency signals and got lowered in the gorge. He guided the crew of the helicopter using hand signals and inspite the darkness and strong water current, managed to reach the survivor. On reaching the survivor he realised that the space was insufficient to get down for strapping the survivor to the harness. He instantly look the decision to physically tie the survivor to himself. Having done this while being half immersed in the strong flow of the water, he gripped the survivor and holding onto him tightly, signalled the Flight Gunner to winch them up. Using all the physical strength that he could muster, Sqn Ldr Pranay Kumar success fully held onto the survivor till the end of the rescue operation.

Squadron Leader Pranay Kumar displayed extra ordinary courage and valouy in adverse circumstances while trying to save the lives of fellow citizens.