<p>Flying officer Avani Chaturvedi created history when she become the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft, an IAF official said.</p>

<p>&quot;Chaturvedi became the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo when she flew a MiG-21 bison in her first solo flight,&quot; PTI quoting an official stated.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">First Indian woman fighter pilot Avani Chaturvedi goes solo<br />
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<p>She undertook the sortie from IAF&#39;s Jamnagar base on Monday, he said.</p>

<p>Three women pilots, Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh, had undergone strenuous training programme to fly fighter jets.</p>

<p>They were commissioned as flying officers in July 2016, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis.</p>

<p>The IAF has already selected the next batch of three women trainee pilots for the fighter stream.&nbsp;</p>


Three women pilots, Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh, had undergone strenuous training programme to fly fighter jets.

Flying officer Avani Chaturvedi created history when she become the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft, an IAF official said. "Chaturvedi became the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo when she flew a MiG-21 bison in her first solo flight," PTI quoting an official stated. First Indian woman fighter pilot Avani Chaturvedi goes solo Read @ANI story | https://t.co/fwrG8wGCgI pic.twitter.com/mRyuc6mOT7 — ANI Digital (@ani_digital) February 21, 2018 × She undertook the sortie from IAF's Jamnagar base on Monday, he said. Three women pilots, Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh, had undergone strenuous training programme to fly fighter jets. They were commissioned as flying officers in July 2016, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis. The IAF has already selected the next batch of three women trainee pilots for the fighter stream.

Avani Chaturvedi becomes first Indian woman to fly fighter jet

<p>Terrorists fired on guards at an Air Force Station in Kashmir&#39;s Malangpora.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident occurred on Tuesday evening as terrorists fired bullets and threw grenades at Malangpora water point outside the Air Force station. India&#39;s Defence Security Corps (DSC) guards retaliated immediately forcing the terrorists to pull back.</p>

<p>There were no reports of any casualties.</p>

<p>On Monday, an unidentified man had fired on security forces in J&amp;K after he tried to enter the security zone in Budgam Air Force station.</p>

<p>The man reportedly crossed the security fence and came close to perimeter wall of the Air Force station.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Security officials suspected a terrorist attack which was foiled at the right time. Investigation is still underway on the suspected terror strike.</p>


Security officials suspect a man tried to carry out a terror strike at Budgam Air Force station on Monday

Terrorists fired on guards at an Air Force Station in Kashmir's Malangpora. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening as terrorists fired bullets and threw grenades at Malangpora water point outside the Air Force station. India's Defence Security Corps (DSC) guards retaliated immediately forcing the terrorists to pull back. There were no reports of any casualties. On Monday, an unidentified man had fired on security forces in J&K after he tried to enter the security zone in Budgam Air Force station. The man reportedly crossed the security fence and came close to perimeter wall of the Air Force station. Security officials suspected a terrorist attack which was foiled at the right time. Investigation is still underway on the suspected terror strike.

J&K: Terrorists fire at guards in Air Force Station in Malangpora

<p>The Indian Air Force will<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/what-is-a-lifetime-adventure-for-you-is-a-daily-routine-for-us-defence-of-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-exercise-danx-564"> participate in Exercise Pitch Black </a>in Australia, the Australian defence minister&nbsp;Pyne has said.</p>

<p>The exercise which is dubbed the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/indra-2017-495"> largest Air Force training exercise </a>in the southern hemisphere is hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).</p>

<p>In 2016, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the US had participated in the air exercise.</p>

<p>The exercise which takes places every two years was started in 1981 for various RAAF units.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 1990, Australia and Singapore took part in the exercise together and it was later expanded to include other countries.</p>

<p>&nbsp;United Arab Emirates, &nbsp;Canada, Germany and the Netherlands have taken part in the operation earlier.</p>

<p>The aim of the exercise is to practice offensive counter air (OCA) and defensive counter air (DCA) combat in a simulated environment which usually takes place at the Australian Air Force base at Glenbrook in New South Wales.</p>

<p>The Indian Air Force had earlier participated in the first joint tri-services military exercise with Russia in the eastern military district of Russia last year in October.</p>

<p>The Indian contingent containing 350 officers from the army, 80 from the Air Force including two IL 76 aircraft and one frigate and corvette took part in the military drill.</p>

<p>The exercise was meant to improve the &quot;interoperability&quot; between the two forces, vital in joint military and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.</p>


The exercise which is dubbed the largest Air Force training exercise in the southern hemisphere is hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force

The Indian Air Force will participate in Exercise Pitch Black in Australia, the Australian defence minister Pyne has said. The exercise which is dubbed the largest Air Force training exercise in the southern hemisphere is hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). In 2016, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the US had participated in the air exercise. The exercise which takes places every two years was started in 1981 for various RAAF units. In 1990, Australia and Singapore took part in the exercise together and it was later expanded to include other countries. United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands have taken part in the operation earlier. The aim of the exercise is to practice offensive counter air (OCA) and defensive counter air (DCA) combat in a simulated environment which usually takes place at the Australian Air Force base at Glenbrook in New South Wales. The Indian Air Force had earlier participated in the first joint tri-services military exercise with Russia in the eastern military district of Russia last year in October. The Indian contingent containing 350 officers from the army, 80 from the Air Force including two IL 76 aircraft and one frigate and corvette took part in the military drill. The exercise was meant to improve the "interoperability" between the two forces, vital in joint military and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

After Russia, Indian Air Force to take part in exercise 'Pitch Black' in Australia

<p>As the Indian Air Force celebrated its 85th anniversary on October 8, it honoured six officers with Vayu Sena Medals for gallantry.</p>

<p>From an officer who took on terrorists during the attack on the Pathankot airbase and confined them to a specific area, which eventually proved to be the gamechanger; to the officer who saved sixteen lives (and an MI 17 helicopter); to the pilot whose relentless&nbsp;flying helped douse a hill fire that was threatening to reach the Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu &amp; Kashmir; to officers who braved machine failure and damage in the air to prevent catastrophe&nbsp;on the ground -- here are their stories.</p>

<p><strong>Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey</strong><br />
On January 2, 2016 when heavily armed terrorists stormed the Pathankot Air Force Station, Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey was leading a squad of IAF Special Forces for a search operation at the under-attack air base.A UAV contact with four suspects was reported to Dubey at about 2.45 am inside MES Yard. Showing keen situational awareness, Dubey estimated that the terrorists were in close proximity to the residential area and immediately deployed his forces to lay a cordon.<br />
While searching the area, his team came under intense hostile fire from terrorists, grievously injuring one of his team members. Dubey maintained his composure and effectively marshalled his troops and spread them out in the area to contain the terrorists within a designated area.<br />
Despite a gunshot wound on the right thigh, Squadron Leader Dubey led from the front and along with his buddies, continued to fight with four terrorists at extremely close range. As a result, he was able to contain them at the same spot for 25 minutes till reinforcements arrived and was able to prevent the terrorists from entering the residential area and creating a possible hostage situation. Dubey also evacuated his injured buddy and returned to action immediately. He then continued to lead his troops till the conclusion of the operation on January 7, 2016.</p>

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<p>Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey. (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Squadron Leader Vikas Puri</strong></p>

<p>Squadron Leader Vikas Puri is a flying pilot and posted with the MI-17 Helicopter Unit since 2013. On March 12, 2016, Puri was detailed to fly a MI-17 helicopter from Shillong to Tezpur with AOC-in-C, HQ EAC and other senior officials of his entourage on board. The first 30 minutes of the flight were uneventful. Then suddenly, the aircraft experienced fuel booster pump failure which immediately leads of a &ldquo;rarest of the rare&rdquo; emergency of &ldquo;both engine failure&rdquo; in MI-17 choppers.<br />
Flying at a height of only 4,000 feet in a difficult terrain and with very limited time in hand, Puri promptly analysed the situation and initiated correct recovery actions.<br />
Unaware of the actual cause of failure, displaying exceptional courage, astute technical knowledge, exceptional crew coordination, time ingenious actions and adept handling of the toughest emergency in a helicopter, Squadron Leader Puri recovered the aircraft safely by force-landing it. Even while losing height critically, the officer maintained his composure and dexterously manoeuvred the helicopter to safety barely 250 meters above ground level and averted a certain catastrophe.</p>

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<p>Squadron Leader Vikas Puri. (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Squadron Leader Sukhwinder Singh Multani</strong><br />
In the wee hours of May 18, 2016, the Indian Air Force received a frantic call from Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board saying a forest fire was raging on the Trikuta hill and was fast approaching the Shrine. Squadron Leader Multani was immediately tasked with dousing the fire by using a Helicopter Bambi bucket. Multani got airborne for the site in a jiffy. By then, the fire had turned into an inferno and was only 100 meters away from the main walkway to the shrine, putting at risk the lives of thousands of pilgrims.<br />
The fire was spotted on a steep slope surrounded by tall trees making it inaccessible to the firefighters on the ground. Realising the criticality of time, Multani identified the reservoir of Salal Dam at Riasi as a potential source to fill up water.<br />
Reduced visibility due to smoke, excessive turbulence and limited turn radius reduced any margin of error as the aircraft had to be operated at its maximum capacity. The alignment of the fire line required the water drop to be carried out in a direction facing into the hill, making it dangerously difficult unlike other firefighting operations. With the Bambi bucket under slung at 30 meters below the aircraft, the terrain clearance was marginal. The complexity of the mission required courage and skilful handling of the chopper maintaining a high degree of situational awareness.<br />
During the process of dousing the fire, the bunch cable holding the Bambi bucket had got entangled, making it impossible to fill up the water. Returning to base for rectification would have caused loss of precious time and would have allowed the fire to spread. Squadron Leader Multani located a restricted but clear patch next to the reservoir and with no assistance available of ground to secure the Bambi bucket, he deftly manoeuvered the aircraft to land safely. He then himself removed the entanglement and resumed the firefighting operations.Accurate and relentless operations succeeded in dousing the fire and preventing a major catastrophe on the Trikuta hills.</p>

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<p>Squadron Leader Sukhwinder Singh Multani. (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Squadron Leader Abhishek Singh Tanwar</strong></p>

<p>A pilot who while flying a sortie experience multiple failures in quick succession and still managed to land with a single engine preventing a Category 1 accident and saving a valuable aircraft. Flying in a difficult terrain, he experienced oil system failure after 20 minutes of flying. Subsequently, the left engine of the aircraft caught fire. Tanwar calmly assessed the situation and reacted in a controlled manner while staying with the plane. On experiencing oil system failure, he correctly switched off the engine and prevented an engine seizure. He managed to land with a single engine and recover the aircraft.</p>

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<p>Squadron Leader Abhishek Singh Tanwar (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma</strong></p>

<p>A pilot who was authorised to fly an air test sortie on MIG 29 aircraft, which involved testing of aircraft at supersonic speeds at a height of 10 kilometres. While conducting this test in Supersonic Flying Corridor, 110 kilometres away from base at a speed of 1.1 Mach&mdash;which corresponds to 1200-1300 kmph of true air speed, the canopy perspex of the aircraft shattered resulting in explosive decompression and perspex pieces hitting Sharma on the right shoulder. Notwithstanding the reduced frontal visibility, very high cockpit noise level and heavy aircraft weight, Sharma skillfully handled the damaged aircraft and executed a safe emergency landing. He not just saved his own life and the aircraft, but also prevented possible catastrophic damage to en-route strategically important and vital petro-chemical installations and populated areas.</p>

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<p>Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma. (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Squadron Leader Ramesh Verma</strong></p>

<p>A pilot who was authorised for a battle innoculation mission. While carrying out the attack profile, the front canopy burst with a loud bang. Verma was hit by large pieces of canopy perspex with great force on his next, resulting in deep wound and injury to his shoulder. The severe wind blast also caused his head to hit the canopy combing, almost rendering him unconscious. Verma was quick to regain control of the aircrat using his instincts. The aircraft was very close to Bareilly town and an ejection would have resulted in catastrophic damage on the&nbsp;ground.<br />
He displayed exceptional courage to brave the strong air blast inside the cockpit, very hazy vision and grave injuries to his shoulder and arm while recovering the aircraft. He prevented loss of property on ground and recovered an expensive aircraft despite being wounded.</p>

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<p>Squadron Leader Ramesh Verma. (Others)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The officers braved machine failure and damage in the air to prevent catastrophe on the ground

As the Indian Air Force celebrated its 85th anniversary on October 8, it honoured six officers with Vayu Sena Medals for gallantry. From an officer who took on terrorists during the attack on the Pathankot airbase and confined them to a specific area, which eventually proved to be the gamechanger; to the officer who saved sixteen lives (and an MI 17 helicopter); to the pilot whose relentless flying helped douse a hill fire that was threatening to reach the Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu & Kashmir; to officers who braved machine failure and damage in the air to prevent catastrophe on the ground -- here are their stories. Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey On January 2, 2016 when heavily armed terrorists stormed the Pathankot Air Force Station, Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey was leading a squad of IAF Special Forces for a search operation at the under-attack air base.A UAV contact with four suspects was reported to Dubey at about 2.45 am inside MES Yard. Showing keen situational awareness, Dubey estimated that the terrorists were in close proximity to the residential area and immediately deployed his forces to lay a cordon. While searching the area, his team came under intense hostile fire from terrorists, grievously injuring one of his team members. Dubey maintained his composure and effectively marshalled his troops and spread them out in the area to contain the terrorists within a designated area. Despite a gunshot wound on the right thigh, Squadron Leader Dubey led from the front and along with his buddies, continued to fight with four terrorists at extremely close range. As a result, he was able to contain them at the same spot for 25 minutes till reinforcements arrived and was able to prevent the terrorists from entering the residential area and creating a possible hostage situation. Dubey also evacuated his injured buddy and returned to action immediately. He then continued to lead his troops till the conclusion of the operation on January 7, 2016. Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey. (Others) × Squadron Leader Vikas Puri Squadron Leader Vikas Puri is a flying pilot and posted with the MI-17 Helicopter Unit since 2013. On March 12, 2016, Puri was detailed to fly a MI-17 helicopter from Shillong to Tezpur with AOC-in-C, HQ EAC and other senior officials of his entourage on board. The first 30 minutes of the flight were uneventful. Then suddenly, the aircraft experienced fuel booster pump failure which immediately leads of a “rarest of the rare” emergency of “both engine failure” in MI-17 choppers. Flying at a height of only 4,000 feet in a difficult terrain and with very limited time in hand, Puri promptly analysed the situation and initiated correct recovery actions. Unaware of the actual cause of failure, displaying exceptional courage, astute technical knowledge, exceptional crew coordination, time ingenious actions and adept handling of the toughest emergency in a helicopter, Squadron Leader Puri recovered the aircraft safely by force-landing it. Even while losing height critically, the officer maintained his composure and dexterously manoeuvred the helicopter to safety barely 250 meters above ground level and averted a certain catastrophe. Squadron Leader Vikas Puri. (Others) × Squadron Leader Sukhwinder Singh Multani In the wee hours of May 18, 2016, the Indian Air Force received a frantic call from Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board saying a forest fire was raging on the Trikuta hill and was fast approaching the Shrine. Squadron Leader Multani was immediately tasked with dousing the fire by using a Helicopter Bambi bucket. Multani got airborne for the site in a jiffy. By then, the fire had turned into an inferno and was only 100 meters away from the main walkway to the shrine, putting at risk the lives of thousands of pilgrims. The fire was spotted on a steep slope surrounded by tall trees making it inaccessible to the firefighters on the ground. Realising the criticality of time, Multani identified the reservoir of Salal Dam at Riasi as a potential source to fill up water. Reduced visibility due to smoke, excessive turbulence and limited turn radius reduced any margin of error as the aircraft had to be operated at its maximum capacity. The alignment of the fire line required the water drop to be carried out in a direction facing into the hill, making it dangerously difficult unlike other firefighting operations. With the Bambi bucket under slung at 30 meters below the aircraft, the terrain clearance was marginal. The complexity of the mission required courage and skilful handling of the chopper maintaining a high degree of situational awareness. During the process of dousing the fire, the bunch cable holding the Bambi bucket had got entangled, making it impossible to fill up the water. Returning to base for rectification would have caused loss of precious time and would have allowed the fire to spread. Squadron Leader Multani located a restricted but clear patch next to the reservoir and with no assistance available of ground to secure the Bambi bucket, he deftly manoeuvered the aircraft to land safely. He then himself removed the entanglement and resumed the firefighting operations.Accurate and relentless operations succeeded in dousing the fire and preventing a major catastrophe on the Trikuta hills. Squadron Leader Sukhwinder Singh Multani. (Others) × Squadron Leader Abhishek Singh Tanwar A pilot who while flying a sortie experience multiple failures in quick succession and still managed to land with a single engine preventing a Category 1 accident and saving a valuable aircraft. Flying in a difficult terrain, he experienced oil system failure after 20 minutes of flying. Subsequently, the left engine of the aircraft caught fire. Tanwar calmly assessed the situation and reacted in a controlled manner while staying with the plane. On experiencing oil system failure, he correctly switched off the engine and prevented an engine seizure. He managed to land with a single engine and recover the aircraft. Squadron Leader Abhishek Singh Tanwar (Others) × Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma A pilot who was authorised to fly an air test sortie on MIG 29 aircraft, which involved testing of aircraft at supersonic speeds at a height of 10 kilometres. While conducting this test in Supersonic Flying Corridor, 110 kilometres away from base at a speed of 1.1 Mach—which corresponds to 1200-1300 kmph of true air speed, the canopy perspex of the aircraft shattered resulting in explosive decompression and perspex pieces hitting Sharma on the right shoulder. Notwithstanding the reduced frontal visibility, very high cockpit noise level and heavy aircraft weight, Sharma skillfully handled the damaged aircraft and executed a safe emergency landing. He not just saved his own life and the aircraft, but also prevented possible catastrophic damage to en-route strategically important and vital petro-chemical installations and populated areas. Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma. (Others) × Squadron Leader Ramesh Verma A pilot who was authorised for a battle innoculation mission. While carrying out the attack profile, the front canopy burst with a loud bang. Verma was hit by large pieces of canopy perspex with great force on his next, resulting in deep wound and injury to his shoulder. The severe wind blast also caused his head to hit the canopy combing, almost rendering him unconscious. Verma was quick to regain control of the aircrat using his instincts. The aircraft was very close to Bareilly town and an ejection would have resulted in catastrophic damage on the ground. He displayed exceptional courage to brave the strong air blast inside the cockpit, very hazy vision and grave injuries to his shoulder and arm while recovering the aircraft. He prevented loss of property on ground and recovered an expensive aircraft despite being wounded. Squadron Leader Ramesh Verma. (Others) ×

6 IAF officers get Vayu Sena medal for gallantry: Here are their stories

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Avani Chaturvedi becomes first Indian woman to fly fighter jet

J&K: Terrorists fire at guards in Air Force Station in Malangpora

After Russia, Indian Air Force to take part in exercise 'Pitch Black' in Australia

6 IAF officers get Vayu Sena medal for gallantry: Here are their stories