President Ram Nath Kovind Confers Gallatry Medals; Know The Story Of These Bravehearts

President Ram Nath Kovind approved 144 Gallantry awards to armed forces, police, and paramilitary personnel on the eve of Independence Day.

(Top L-R) Perminder Antil, Varun Singh (Bottom L-R) Deepak Mohanan, Uttar Kumar

New Delhi: The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind presented Gallantry medals to personnel of the armed forces who have shown great dedication, courage, skill & professionalism. 

President Ram Nath Kovind approved 144 Gallantry awards to armed forces, police, and paramilitary personnel on the eve of Independence Day.

Group Captain Perminder Antil (26686) Flying (Pilot) is the Commanding Officer of a Su-30 MKI Squadron since January 2020, he was conferred the Shaurya Chakra for his act of exceptional gallantry, exemplary standards of professionalism, and contribution to aerospace safety.

On September 21, 2020, during a sortie from the front cockpit of a Su-30 aircraft, Antil experienced unprecedented and vicious oscillations in the longitudinal and lateral planes with gravitational forces rapidly varying from +9G to -1.5G, coupled with the aircraft uncontrollably banking to the left and other control failure indications.

Overcoming ‘black-out’ conditions encountered due to the extremely high ‘G’ conditions, he manually dampened the aircraft oscillations and also checked the safety of his weapon system operator.

While controlling the aircraft, he turned away from the populated areas to ensure no loss of civilian life or property in case of a probable ejection. As he initiated a priority recovery, the aircraft once again encountered vicious oscillations, with the control of the aircraft requiring a large amount of pressure on the control column by the pilot. As a result of his judgment and skillful handling, the oscillations reduced and the aircraft was recovered safely.

Wing Commander Varun Singh (27987) Flying (Pilot) is a pilot in a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Squadron, he was also presented with the Shaurya Chakra.

On October 12, 2020, he was flying a system check sortie in LCA, away from parent base, after major rectification of Flight Control System (FCS) and pressurisation system (life support environment control system). During the sortie, the cockpit pressurisation failed at high altitude. He correctly identified the failure and initiated a descent to a lower altitude for landing.  While descending, the Flight Control System failed and led to total loss of control of the aircraft.

This was an unprecedented catastrophic failure that had never occurred. There was a rapid loss of altitude while in usual attitude, with the aircraft pitching up and down viciously going to the extremities of G limits. 

Soon thereafter, at about 10,000 feet, the aircraft again experienced a total loss of control with vicious maneuvering and uncontrollable pitching. Under such a scenario, the pilot was at liberty to abandon the aircraft. Faced with a potential hazard to his own life, he displayed extraordinary courage and skill to safely land the fighter aircraft. The pilot went beyond the call of duty and landed the aircraft taking calculated risks. 

Due to his high order of professionalism, composure, and quick decision making, even at the peril to his life, he not only averted the loss of an LCA but also safeguarded civilian property and population on the ground.  

Squadron Leader Deepak Mohanan (30223) Flying (Pilot) is on deputation with a Coast Guard Squadron since April 2017, he was conferred with the Vayu Sen Medal. On September 4, 2020, Mohanan as captain of a Chetak Helicopter carried out a damage assessment of fire and explosion on-board MT Diamond, a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) off the east coast of Sri Lanka, carrying 3.40 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil.

During the seven days operation that followed, he undertook 12 sorties clocking 14:25 hrs which required frequent deck landings onboard various class of Indian Coast Guard ships, and directed the ships in efficient firefighting and for aerial survey of the oil spill. His incredible and spirited response contributed towards the huge fire being doused and prevented the possible threat of explosion and oil spill which brought singular credit to the Indian Coast Guard in international waters. 

Wing Commander Uttar Kumar (27689) Flying (Pilot) is a pilot in a Sukhoi-30 MKI Squadron since July 2017 for showcasing exceptional courage. On August 4, 2020, Wg Cdr Uttar Kumar was authorised to fly Air to Air Refueling Instructional sortie.  During the mission, the refueling hose broke free from the pod of the other Su-30 MKI while the drogue was still connected to his aircraft probe.

The snapped hose whiplashed towards the aircraft and violently impacted the canopy and the airframe; because of which the aircraft experienced very strong pitch up the moment and vicious oscillations.

Since the flying controls of his aircraft were restricted in movement, with a strong tendency to pitch up, a large amount of pressure and exceptional flying skill was required to pilot the aircraft for a safe recovery.

He exercised superior flying skills and gave unconventional control inputs on the approach to land the aircraft safely.  Post landing, the hose was found to be entangled with the undercarriage D-door as well, and it posed a substantial risk of fire.