
The IAF team of Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa made India proud when it made an air strike on three Jaish-e-Muhammad terror launchpads by dropping 1000 kilograms of payloads. The team destroyed the launchpads in the key areas of Muzzafarabad, Balakot, and Chakothi. It was for the first time since the 1971 India-Pakistan war that Indian army crossed the Line Of Control (LOC).
It should be noted that the Indian army refrained from crossing LOC even during the Kargil war. Thus, the significance of this attack led by Birender Dhanoa is extremely high taking into consideration that the attack was made to avenge the death of more than 40 CRPF jawans who died during Pulwama attack on February 14.
Chief Marshal Dhanoa- Who Is He?
Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC became the Air Staff Chief two years ago in January 2017. He joined IAF in June 1978 as the fighter pilot and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and Rashtriya Indian Military College. In his years of service with IAF, he mostly flew MiG-21 and Kiran aircraft.
Birender Singh Dhanoa has tried his hands at flying the entire range of fighter aircraft. Some of the fighter aircraft flown by the Air Chief Marshal are Su-30 MKi, Jaguar, and MiG-29. He has an immaculate record when it comes to flying the aircraft with safety and has made a splendid mark as a field commander.
Birender Singh Dhanoa’s Kargil Contribution
The current Air Chief Marshal of IAF has contributed immensely to the Indian Air Force throughout his career. He participated in the “Limited War” against Pakistan during Kargil War as the Commanding Officer of a front line ground attack fighter squadron. He was the leader of the IAF team that evicted the enemy hiding deep in the icy heights of Kargil.
As an innovative leader, he devised some unique methods for dropping bombs during nights from high altitudes which were never tried before in any Air warfare. Thus, as a supervisor and leader of the air attack during Kargil war he pioneered many new things.
Awards And Recognition
Even though when it comes to the battlefield, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa is quite aggressive, he is an epitome of professionalism and supporter of peace. That is why he was awarded the best fighter squadron of HQ WAC at the peacetime training. Post the victory of Kargil War, his unit was lauded as the most decorated IAF unit.
Dhanoa has also received the Vayu Sena Medal and Yudh Seva Medal for his exceptional devotion to duty during the war. And, for his outstanding bravery and leadership qualities in 1999. He was appreciated as the best in maintenance during his tenure as a commander of a Forward (Fighter) Base Support Unit for his illustrious record and was a Pride of SWAC Trophy runner-up.
Mr. Dhanoa was selected for the IAF Training Team abroad as he holds the IAF ’s highest flying instructional category. Some other recognitions and awards include Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) by President of India in 2015, appointment as Honorary ADC to the Indian President in 2015 and award of Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016.
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