Wing Commander Ankit Sood (29873) was commissioned as a pilot in the Flying branch of the IAF on 21 Jun 08. He is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Type Check Pilot and is on the posted strength of a Mi-17-1V Helicopter Unit since 16 Apr 23. The officer has a total of 2100 hrs of accident/ incident free flying on 10 different types of helicopters, including 1400 hrs on Mi-17 type.
In the aftermath of unprecedented rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, his Unit was tasked to undertake CASEVAC operations in Kullu and Mandi districts at short notice. On 24 Aug 23, the officer piloted the aircraft in deteriorating weather conditions from Jammu to the narrow valleys of Kullu, where 12 critical patients were stranded and as a life saving measure required immediate evacuation to PGI, Chandigarh. Inclement weather, unforgiving hilly terrain, high All Up Weight and time sensitivity of the missions demanded the aircraft to be flown at the limits of its manoeuvre envelope and the fatigue limits of the operating crew. In the absence of any standard landing site and rapidly darkening skies, the determined officer pressed on with single minded focus of saving precious lives. Despite the low clouding in the valley and landslides in the operating area, Wg Cdr Ankit Sood in the spirit of a true air warrior, disregarded his personal safety, demonstrated mature decision making and carried out landings at non-standard areas at four villages to successfully evacuate all patients. Combating harsh terrain and weather, officer landed at Chandigarh close to sunset from where all patients were transferred to PGI. Subsequently, officer was tasked to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations Ex-Mandi. He demonstrated deft handling of the aircraft to effect landings at constricted areas and skillfully hovered at low heights to deliver ration and medicals kits. He promptly planned and safely executed over 68 critical missions in a span of next five days in which more than 34,000 kgs of critical relief material was delivered, saving many marooned lives.
For this act of exceptional courage, professional competence and extreme dedication beyond the call of duty in undertaking high risk missions to save precious lives under hostile weather conditions, Wing Commander Ankit Sood is awarded with ‘Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)’.
***
