Vaibhav Bhagwat, SC

Biography

Flying Officer Vaibhav Bhagwat joined the Indian Air Force on 17 June 1995 and was commissioned into the flying stream. Trained as a helicopter pilot under the 155th Pilots Course, he was posted to 130 Helicopter Unit, known as "The Condors," on completing his flying training. Based at Jammu, the unit's primary role was providing air support for Operation Meghdoot in the Siachen sector. In August 1996, 130 HU was tasked with air-maintenance flights to army posts deployed southwest of the Siachen Glacier along the Saltoro Ridge. The enemy had redeployed troops in the southern glacier area and built new bunkers on commanding positions, directly threatening Indian posts and endangering the helicopter routes supplying them. On 26 August 1996, Flying Officer Bhagwat flew as co-pilot on an air-drop mission alongside Flight Lieutenant Sandeep Jain, with Sergeant R. Murigappa and Sergeant Krishna C. Jha as crew. After two successful drops despite enemy interference, their helicopter was hit by enemy ground fire during the third sortie and crashed into the snowbound mountains. Displaying exemplary courage in extreme weather and under enemy threat, Flying Officer Vaibhav Bhagwat laid down his life in the line of duty and was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his bravery and supreme sacrifice.