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Wg Cdr | Chandra Dutt Upadhyay 11336 F(P) | Unit : No.118 Helicopter Unit | Award Date 19 Oct 87 | Announced 26 Jan 89 | |
Details : | ![]() Wing Commander Chandra Datt Upadhyay was deployed as ‘Type Force Commander’ of the Pratap Fleet of Indian Air Force Element of Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka from the 19th October, 1987 to 3rd November 1987, when the IPKF was engaged in fierce battle with Tamil Militants for control of Jaffna town. On the 19th October, 1987 and again on the 20th October, 1987, Wing Commander Upadhaya carried out sorties to take urgent rations, petrol, oil and ammunition for the advancing Army columns and evacuate casualties. He carried out the mission by landing on an open field which was under fire from all sides. On the 21st October, 1987, a single helicopter special mission of para commando was dropped at Achuvail and then para commandos and prisoners were picked up from Puttur West. During take off from the ground at Puttur West, his helicopter was fired at by the militants by machine gun & rockets. One rocket damaged the trailing edge of a rotor blade, causing severe vibration. The helicopter went out of control and started descending rapidly. Wing Commander Upadhyay showing great professional skill controlled the helicopter only a few feet above the ground and turned back and landed the stricken helicopter in the same field. All the passengers and crew took shelter in ditches and once the crossfire ceased, he inspected the helicopter. Since the damage was very light, he restarted the helicopter, boarded the passengers and managed to fly it back at low speed to the airfield, thus saving valuable lives and a helicopter. Wing Commander Chandra Datt Upadhaya thus displayed exceptional professional skill, extreme devotion to duty and courage in the face of the militants in Sri Lanka. | ||||
Reference: | Gazette of India , 8th April 1989 - No.23 - Pres/89 dated 26th January 1989 | ||||
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Flt Lt | Subhash Chandra Kharbanda 10113 F(P) | Unit : No.118 Helicopter Unit | Award Date 22 Oct 74 | Announced 01 Jul 75 | |
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Reference: | Gazette of India dated 1st May 1976 - No.36 - Pres/76 dated 1st July 1975 | ||||
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Flt Lt | Bharat Raj Lohtia 11419 F(P) | Unit : No.118 Helicopter Unit | Award Date 22 Oct 74 | Announced 01 Jul 75 | |
Details : | Flight Lieutenant Bharat Raj Lohtia was commissioned in the Flying (Pilot) Branch of the Air Force in December, 1967. He has been serving with a Helicopter Unit since September, 1972. During October and December, 1974 when the unit was called upon to rnount special heliborne operations in Eastern Sector, he was the captain of one of the helicopters engaged in the operations. Due to urgency of the situation and limited time time, the helicopler had to be llown in the over in the overload variant. The task required courage and flying skill of a very high order due to turbulent weather conditions in the inhospitable terrain of Eastern Sector. Disregarding his personal safety, he carried out 22 successful missions often flying from dawn 'o dusk. Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Bharat Raj Lohtia displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order | ||||
Reference: | Gazette of India dated 1st May 1976 - No.36 - Pres/76 dated 1st July 1975 | ||||
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Wg Cdr | Dinesh Chandra Kaushik 6353 F(P) | Unit : No.118 Helicopter Unit | Award Date | Announced 26 Jan 82 | |
Details : | ![]() Wing Commander Dinesh Chandra Kaushik has been on the posted strength of the Helicopter Unit, Air Force, since 28th August, 1978. During a crisis due to shortage of fuel for Dakota and Caribou aircraft, the unit under his command was called upon to undertake the task of air maintenance in the entire Eastern region. He rose to the occasion and did a commendable job in keeping all the air maintained posts in the Sector supplied with essential commodities, equipment, in addition to other multifarious commitments like VVIP helilifts, flood relief operation and communication flights. Wing Commander Kaushik was also instrumental in suggesting and eventually accomplishing the task of carrying out air maintenance operations from focal points closer to the air maintained posts, thereby reducing the flying time by 35 per cent to 50 per cent. He had also undertaken the task of training the pilots of a Helicopter Unit on Mi-8 Helicopters. He has been a pioneer on Mi-8 Helicopters ever since their evaluation and induction into the service. He has made a very valuable contribution into the firm establishment of standard operating procedures on the Mi-8 Helicopters. Wing Commander Dinesh Chandra Kaushik has thus displayed professional competence, leadership capabilities and devotion to duty of an exceptional order. | ||||
Reference: | Gazette of India dated 22nd January 1983 - No.1-Pres/83 dated 26th January 1982 | ||||
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Sqn Ldr | Kailash Gurao 21573 F(P) | Unit : No.118 Helicopter Unit | Award Date | Announced 15 Aug 00 | |
Details : | ![]() Squadron leader Kailash Gurao (21573) Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of a Helicopter Unit since 22 Feb 99. On 01 Nov 99 he was detailed to fly the Raksha Mantri (RM) and two other VIPs for a reconnaissance sortie over the cyclone ravaged areas in Orissa followed by a landing at Paradip. After the recce was over Paradip, Sqn Ldr Guaro apprised the minister of the risk of landing at an unsecured and unprepared helipad. However, as desired by the RM, a landing was executed on an unprepared site. After the departure of RM, the crowd started getting disturbed and restive, forcing Mr. Navin Patnaik, Minister of Mines and Minerals, who had earlier deplaned, to rush to near by building to seek shelter from the angry mob. Part of the crowd by then, turned violent and some of them threatened to burn the helicopter and assault the passengers. Sqn Ldr Gurao decided to start the helicopter and await arrival of the RM. The Flight Gunner, along with the available policemen was detailed to guard the tail rotor during the start up. On seeing Mr. Navin Patnaik being manhandled by the mob, Sqn Ldr Gurao along with his crew pulled him safely inside the helicopter. By then the crowd started pelting stones and some even tried to board the helicopters. At this stage, Sqn Ldr Guaro immediately took-off to ensure safety of the VIPs. After the crowd had dispersed he picked up the gunner from a low hover. Subsequently, Sqn Ldr Gurao located the Raksha Mantri at the Paradip Port jetty. He immediately maneuvered the helicopter into the confined space, executed a landing and returned to Bhubaneshwar with the RM. This mission of safely retrieving the helicopter as well as rescuing the VIPs from mob frenzy in a difficult and volatile situation bears testimony to Sqn Ldr Guaro's extraordinary courage and professional skills. His actions saved the Raksha Mantri and his entourage from possible physical harm. The presence of mind shown by him at the time of the crisis is extremely praiseworthy. For his act professionalism and extraordinary courage in the face of a challenging situation, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' (Gallantry) to Squadron Leader Kailash Gurao. | ||||
Reference: | Gazette of India dated 30th December 2000 - No.150-Pres/2000 dated 15th August 2000 | ||||
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Wg Cdr | Subramaniam Ravi Vridhachalem 18101 F(P) | Unit : No.118 Helicopter Unit | Award Date 19 Jul 04 | Announced 15 Aug 05 | |
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Reference: | Gazette of India dated 26th November 2005 - No.130-Pres/2005 dated 15th August 2005 & AFD2006 Investiture | ||||
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Sqn Ldr | Ashok Pande 20521 F(P) | Unit : No.118 Helicopter Unit | Award Date 09 Jul 04 | Announced 15 Aug 05 | |
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Reference: | Gazette of India dated 26th November 2005 - No.130-Pres/2005 dated 15th August 2005 & AFD2006 Investiture | ||||