An IAF helicopter pilot has been decorated with the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry for evacuating critically ill patients stranded in the flood-ravaged mountains of Himachal Pradesh to Chandigarh under extremely hazardous conditions in 2023.
In the aftermath of unprecedented rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Wing Commander Ankit Sood, whose award has been announced on the eve of the Republic Day - 2025, was tasked to undertake casualty evacuation operations in Kullu and Mandi districts at short notice.
On August 24, 2023, the officer piloted the helicopter in deteriorating weather conditions from Jammu to the narrow valleys of Kullu, where 12 critical patients were stranded and as a life saving measure required immediate evacuation to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.
Inclement weather, unforgiving hilly terrain, high all-up weight and time sensitivity of the missions demanded the aircraft to be flown at the limits of its manoeuvre envelope and the fatigue limits of the operating crew.
“In the absence of any standard landing site and rapidly darkening skies, the determined officer pressed on with single-minded focus of saving precious lives,” the citation for his award states.
Despite the low clouding in the valley and landslides in the operating area, Wg Cdr Sood disregarded his personal safety, demonstrated mature decision making and carried out landings at non-standard areas at four villages to successfully evacuate all the patients.
Combating harsh terrain and weather, the officer landed at Chandigarh close to sunset from where all patients were transferred to PGIMER. Subsequently, officer was tasked to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations from Mandi.
He demonstrated deft handling of the aircraft to effect landings at constricted areas and skilfully hovered at low heights to deliver ration and medicals kits. He promptly planned and safely executed over 68 critical missions in a span of the next five days in which more than 34,000 kg of critical relief material was delivered.
“For this act of exceptional courage, professional competence and extreme dedication beyond the call of duty in undertaking high risk missions to save precious lives under hostile weather conditions, Wing Commander Ankit Sood is awarded with ‘Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)”, the citation adds.
Wing Commander Sood was commissioned as a pilot in the Flying Branch in June 2008. He is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Type Check Pilot and is on the posted strength of a Mi-17-1V Helicopter Unit since April 2023, having logged a total of 2,100 hours of accident/incident-free flying on 10 different types of helicopters, including 1,400 hours on the Mi-17.
