Only FIVE @IAF_MCC officers have received a "Bar to Vir Chakra" (Vir Chakra twice) - military bravery award presented for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy. This is a brief on Air Cmde AIK Suares, the first IAF officer to achieve this rare feat. (1/13)
Anthony Ignatius Kenneth Suares was born in 1925 in Madras. He graduated from Madras Christian College and was commissioned as a pilot on 20 Dec 1943 with the 20th PC. He was affectionately called "sue" in the IAF. Immediately after his conversion, he was posted to 4 Sqn (2/13)
4 Sqn was in Burma and Japan as part of the British occupational forces during the years of 1944-46 when Suares served with the unit flying Spitfires. (3/13)
On return, he converted to Dakota with 12 sqn and was thrust into action in Kashmir during the 1947-48 war. He was awarded Vir Chakra and his citation reads - "He was one of the pilots who formed the small band of transport support aircrew, who carried out continuous operations..
..He was one of the pioneers on the LEH route. At that time the aircraft were not fitted with Oxygen and this made the trip a most hazardous and grueling flight. He also undertook transport support sorties to most of the other supply zones in Kashmir... (5/13)
..Considering the difficult nature of the country and the treacherous weather conditions that were frequently encountered, it made the majority of these flights a most difficult undertaking as the pilot had, in addition, to contend with heavy enemy ground fire." (6/13)
Post the war, Suares found himself posted to the prestigious Comm Sqn, followed by staff college and tenure at AirHQ. He also got married to Ms. Philomena (Philo) in 1954. In 1957, he would find himself amongst the first to be sent to the UK to convert to Canberra (7/13)
Posted to 5 Sqn, as Flt Cdr for nearly 3 years, in 1960 was promoted to Wg Cdr and took over as the CO of the "Tuskers". @TheBrownBeagle, in Ganesha's Flyboys, describes him as a " highly regarded flier, a forceful personality; the kind who went on shikaar for relaxation" (8/13)
In summer of 1961, 5 Sqn was sent as an offensive force to CONGO as part UN mission, becoming the first unit, post 1947, to serve outside the country. Suares was in the lead and undertook many missions on enemy airfield and other installations in Katanga. His second VrC. (9/13)
is best desc in his citation - "On 6th December 1961, he and his navigator Takle were on air-to-ground strafing sortie against an enemy airfield. These officers carried out the attack despite intense enemy fire from the ground and destroyed the target A number of bullets (10/13)
hit the aircraft. One of them hit the navigator in the thigh and he began to bleed profusely. Disregarding his own safety, Wg Cdr Suares set the aircraft on auto-pilot and rendered first aid to the navigator and helped save his life." He sports the "bar" on VrC in the pic (11/13)
Suares would serve 12 years - Commanding a Jet Trg Wing, Hashimara base, 503 SU, and as AOC J&K among other appointments. His love for aviation probably led him after retirement to work with British Aerospace in India, helping to establish their presence in this country. (12/13)
In later years he spent 365 days as a come rain-or-shine golfer and when the body did not permit that, he took to the hobby of cooking. He passed away in 2002, aged 77, leaving behind his wife, 5 kids, and 9 grandkids. (13/13)
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1/8: Reflecting on the success of India’s Radar & Communication Indigenisation Project, I had to ask—why did it succeed while other aviation projects, faced significant delays, despite similar govt mechanisms?
2/8: Objective clarity was the cornerstone of RCPO. The primary goal? Plugging air defence gaps.This target was broken down into milestones spanning a decade. Indigenisation followed. Of the initial ₹185 Cr budget, ₹105 Cr was for foreign eqpt—a decade later, this had reversed
3/8: Breaking down objectives into visible milestones was a game-changer. RCPO had deliverables every 2-3 years: set up X nodes, design/ install Y radars, and build Z software. When stakeholders can see progress they benefit from, confidence and support skyrocket.
For a long time, I wondered why the Chief of the @IAF_MCC was called the "Chief of Air Staff" and not the "Air Force Chief" or something similar. Well, at least I am finally enlightened. Sharing this brief of my exploration. (1/7)
#IAFHistory
The early 20th century witnessed a significant transformation in military structures, driven by the harsh realities of the Boer Wars (1899-1902). Reflecting on the conflict's challenges, the concept of "Staffs of the Services" emerged. 2/
These staff comprised officers with specialised qualifications tasked with reflective work, including acquiring and digesting extensive information, studying war possibilities, and preparing plans for potential scenarios. 3/
Jamangar Air Force station is in news these days. Jamnagar holds a very important place in @IAF_MCC. A topic worthy of a longer thread, but a few milestones are mentioned here.
A short thread (1/13) #IAFHistory
Jamanagar was not an Air Force Airbase before Independence, though the Jam Saheb was popular in the aviation circles. Post-independence, IAF was searching for a air firing and bombing range. After a search - it settled up Jamnagar and called it Armament Training Wing (ATW). 2/
The Jam Saheb was very fond of the Air Force and helped it immensely. It had an air to ground range at Sarmat and and air to air range in gulf of Kutch near the coastal strip of Jodhya - Balachandi. ATW was visited by Squadrons for training for a few weeks in rotation. 3/
Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bharadwaj, PVSM, MVC, VM, affectionately nicknamed "Mummy", passed away at 89 yesterday.
He was awarded MVC during the 1971 War, attacking Pakistan's airfields in the west. He was one of the only two Sqn Ldrs to receive this award(1/9)
#IAFHistory
From the 66th Pilot Course, he was commissioned in 1955 & joined the fighter stream. In 1961, he qualified as a Pilot Attack Instructor, the modern-day "Top Gun". The CO of PAI School, Nobby Clarke, gave the nickname "Mummy" for his sweet demeanour. It stuck for life. 2/
Mummy also served in training extensively - He served as an instructor in Iraq & was with the OTU, training hunter pilots before the 1971 War, which earned him a Vayu Sena Medal, too. he continued his role in training later in life in staff appointments. 3/
While researching the initial lot of Cranwell graduates, I came across a name that caught my eye. This name was that of a certain Mr WHJ Wilkinson CIE ICS, whose name figures in most entry forms of the @IAF_MCC Cadets who went to Cranwell. The name did intrigue me a lot. (1/18)
My subsequent research revealed the story of a man who lived a very interesting life in India. It is a story that needs to be told, even if not directly related to #IAFHistory. It also has some gaps (gaps that I hope will be filled by crowdsourcing). 2/
Walter Hugh John Wilkinson was born in 1874 & went on to study at Oxford. Joining the ICS as a Political Officer, the 23-year-old arrived in India on 29 Nov 1897. His first five years were spent in various capacities in Bombay.. 3/
What was it like to be in the @IAF_MCC in 1933?
This narrative captures the essence of that first year, viewed through the eyes of the early aviators. Little did they know their journey would demand courage and sacrifice. (1/20) #IAFHistory
The first Indian Air Force officers completed their education at RAF College Cranwell in July 1932. They spent a few months training in England. Subsequently, in April 1933, they returned to India to create the first flight of the No 1 Squadron. 2/
Flight Lieutenant Cecil "Boy" Bouchier assumed command of this Flight. Boy Bouchier was a distinguished WWI veteran honoured with the DFC, AFC, and Polish and French Crosses. He volunteered for this role when no other British officer was prepared to lead. 3/