7 Aug : The ultimate honour for a soldier is to be immortalised a martyr. For those living, paying homage to a martyr is an honour beyond compare.
In an unprecedented tribute ever paid to IAF martyrs in recent times, pilots of No. 17 Squadron – “Golden Arrows”, flew an iconic four-aircraft ‘missing man’ formation to honour a brave heart pilot – Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, who was one of their own. Squadron Leader Ahuja made the supreme sacrifice on May 27, 1999 during Operation Safed Sagar.
A ‘finger-four’ formation in Mig-21s operated by the Squadron was also flown on the occasion. As the pilot flying in the ring-finger position of the formation pulled-up vertically skywards over the spot where floral wreaths were to be placed at the War memorial, the manoeuvre signified the spiralling away of the fallen aviator heavenwards, turning all eyes moist at the venue.
The occasion was to commemorate the 10th anniversary of IAF’s pivotal role during Kargil operations of 1999. The ceremony was held at the Killi Bhisiana airfield of Bhatinda in Punjab, today. The Squadron, it may be mentioned was decorated with the highest number of gallantry awards in the IAF for their role in the operations.
The other pilot paid tribute was Wing Commander RS Dhaliwal, a former Surya Kiran Aeobatics Team pilot who died in an air crash in Jan this year. Wing Commander Dhaliwal was also a former member of the “Golden Arrows” Squadron as a Flying Officer and is credited as the youngest ever pilot in the history of IAF to have taken part in night strike missions in Operation Safed Sagar, in May 1999. He also flew the maximum number of sorties during the operations.
Among those who witnessed the flypast included Mrs Alka Ahuja, wife of Squadron Leader Ahuja and their son, Ankur, Mrs Rubina Dhaliwal, wife of Wing Commander Dhaliwal and his father, also a retired Wing Commander of the IAF. Among others present included Air Commodore Amit Aneja, Air Commodore BS Dhanoa, a former Commanding Officer of the Squadron during the Operations in 1999, the Station Commandioner of Air Force Station, Bhisiana and Commanding Officer of “Golden Arrows” Squadron besides other Air Warriors of the airbase and their families.
A ‘missing man’ formation is the ultimate tribute reserved for a military aviator – a tradition believed worldwide to have originated from the halcyon days of aviation, dating more than a century back – to honour the dead or a missing comrade, at a solemn memorial service.
Overwhelmed by the flying tribute paid to his brave father, Ankur Ahuja related how he wished he was also flying in the formation as the member who pulled-up. “He absolutely loved his flying and would get absolutely restless just as all fighter pilots are wont to do if he didn’t fly everyday”, reminisced Mrs Alka Ahuja of her husband, after the function.
Earlier, floral wreaths were placed on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command and by the family members of Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja and Wing Commander RS Dhaliwal. Wreaths were also placed on behalf of all officers, airmen and civilian personnel of the base. Children of the Air Force School, Bhatinda put up a brief captivating show encapsulating the bravery of our martyrs, and showcasing the unity of our nation with soul-stirring patriotic zeal and fervour.
A ceremony will also be held at the helicopter air base of Sarsawa, in Saharanpur on Monday, August 10 to pay tributes to the quartet of Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir, Flight Lieutenant R Muhilan, Sergeant RVNR Prasad and Sergeant RK Sahu – valiant crew of the Mi-17 crew, martyred on May 28, 1999 in the same operation.