IAF Chief leads ‘Missing Man’ formation in MiG-21
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, May 27
Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) BS Dhanoa today paid tribute to Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, who lost his life 20 years ago during the Kargil conflict, by flying a ‘Missing Man’ formation in a MiG-21.
The Air Chief Marshal led a four aircraft MiG-21 ‘Missing Man’ formation flypast at the Bhisiana Air Force Station here to honour the valour and supreme sacrifice of men killed in action during the Operation Safed Sagar at Kargil. As per an official release issued today, Air Marshal R Nambiar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command, a Kargil veteran, was also a part of the formation. The ‘Missing Man’ formation is an aerial salute accorded to honour the fallen comrades-in-arms. This is an Arrow Formation, with a gap between two aircraft in the formation depicting the ‘Missing Man’. Later, he laid a wreath at the War Memorial to honour the IAF men who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
It was on this day in 1999 that Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja VrC (posthumous) laid down his life during the Kargil conflict. He was at that time the Flight Commander of the 17 Squadron. On May 28, the Chief of the Air Staff will visit the Air Force Station, Sarsawa, and fly in a Mi-17 V5 Missing Man formation to commemorate Kargil martyrs. It was on May 28, 1999, that the IAF lost a Mi-17 after successfully attacking the enemy in the Drass sector. Sqn Ldr R Pundhir, Flt Lt S Muhilan, Sgt RK Sahu and Sgt PVNR Prasad died in action in that Mi-17.
