The nation has the right to information too...
On the 4th of July we lost a very dear friend in a tragic helicopter crash during a flood rescue operation in Arunachal
Pradesh.
Wing Commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon. The reason I am posting
this here... is because the media will report loss of a machine in the
5th page of some newspaper, in a ticker in some news channel, but the
story of MS Dhillon must be told...
He was commanding the Helicopter Unit at Tezpur, and had over 18 years
of flying experience in varied terrain, from icy mountains to the
jungles of North East India. With his death, not only has India
lost a brave son but his family and friends have lost a true friend,
gentleman and a buddy. Dhillon would always say things the way they
should be told. His lazy nasal voice was signature to him. His warm
smile would make you reflect it every-time you saw it.
Never
shying away from his core job, was always enthusiastic about his passion
and profession. On 04 July 2017 before he went down for the final time,
he had already made five sorties and had rescued 169 stranded people. During the return and the sixth sortie in
adverse weather and difficult flying conditions, the helicopter crashed.
All of us who have known him in person are devastated and in shock to say the least. More strength to his family.
Today, with the prevalent scenario while we are forever ready to pounce
on our armed forces for the smallest thing, I just wanted to bring to
the forefront, our sons, brothers, friends are continuing to lay their
lives for the nation. Media will never tell us this... But the citizens
have a right to know.
IAF adds -
Mandeep belonged to Patiala and came
from a defence background. A role model to a generation of younger
officers and to the cadets of NDA, where he was once posted as an
instructor.
Wing Commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon was also a long distance runner who
won almost every long distance race in which he ever participated.
After completing his schooling from RIMC Dehradun, he was selected for
NDA as an Air Force cadet and joined Foxtrot Sqn. He never liked being
away from the flying duties and pursed his flying passion with
sincerity. With his death, India has lost a dare devil officer, a thorough
gentleman and a very kind soul. May his soul rest in peace and may the God give the loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss. Survived by wife , and a young daughter and a son.
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