The President of India Confers Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Wing Commander Rajiv Dobhal
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- Published: Tuesday, 26 January 2016 01:43
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UNTIL 0001 HRS ON 26 JAN 2016
Wing Commander Rajiv Dobhal Flying (Pilot) is commanding a front line Mi-17 V5 Unit since 12 May 14.
On 25 Apr 15, the Unit was tasked to participate in OP Maitri in Nepal. Within a few hours, Wing Commander R Dobhal got airborne and positioned at Gorakhpur in difficult weather conditions. He thereafter proceeded to Kathmandu at first light and as the officer in charge of operations; he immediately took up the challenge and assisted the IAF Task Force Commander in formulating operating procedures. Thus, within hours of induction on foreign soil, IAF helicopters were able to commence relief operations. In the following three weeks, he flew 176 sorties, undertaking several demanding missions and rescuing numerous survivors. The most noteworthy was the rescue of 95 stranded Indian mountaineers from Lukla – one of the most dangerous airfields in the world.
On 05 May 15, the IAF contingent was tasked for an urgent evacuation of a Spanish rescue team from Langthang village at an altitude of 12,5000 feet. Due to the criticality of the mission, the Spanish Ambassador and Defence Attaché personally briefed the pilots and stressed the fact that their team was ill equipped to survive the night. Mindful of the high risk involved and the team’s survival, Wing Commander Dobhal got airborne after carrying out meticulous mission planning. On landing at Langthang, he found that the rescue team had moved away. The situation started becoming critical due to onset of a hailstorm and deteriorating light conditions. After thoroughly assessing the risk involved, he decided to search for the team. With the weather close at heels, he flew along the valley bottom and finally spotted the team 10 km away. Displaying utmost professionalism, he skillfully maneuvered his helicopter to land on a restricted field and rescued the Spanish team. As the helicopter exited he valley, the entire area was engulfed by hailstorm. Thus, in the face of adverse conditions, he gallantly executed an extremely demanding mission and earned accolades for IAF from the international community.
RCD/ MKR/ BSK