Of Broken Wings & Forgotten Warriors

The 93rd Air Force Day celebrations at Air Force Station Hindon were nothing short of spectacular. Against a clear October sky, formations of Sukhoi-30s, Rafales, and Tejas jets roared in synchrony, filling every Indian heart with pride. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, reviewed the parade and paid tribute to Operation Sindoor, a mission that showcased the Indian Air Force’s precision, courage, and unmatched professionalism.

The ceremony saw gallantry awards and six unit citations being presented to air warriors for their courage and service. The IAF also honoured the families of those who made the supreme sacrifice during various operations. The sight of families accepting medals and mementoes on behalf of their loved ones reminded everyone that behind every mission lies a story of love, loss, and duty.

Yet, amid the applause and aerial brilliance, there lingered a quieter emotion, one that didn’t make it to the parade ground or the speeches. Some families of aircrew who died in training sorties and aircraft crashes expressed deep hurt at being forgotten.

One mother, whose son was killed during a training mission, reportedly said, “My son didn’t die in vain, he was killed on duty, doing what he loved most,  flying. Yet the Air Force has not recognised his act of bravery.”

Another widow of a pilot who died in a helicopter crash lamented, “Those killed in crashes are the pilots who belong nowhere. No one remembers us. No one even bothers to invite us.”

Their anguish brings to light an uncomfortable truth that the nation’s recognition sometimes feels selective. But the sky makes no such distinctions. Every flight, whether during war or training, carries risk. Every sortie is a test of skill, endurance, and courage. Pilots who perish while preparing for missions are no less brave than those who die executing them. Their sacrifice sustains the strength and readiness of the force we so proudly celebrate.

Many families have, over the years, spoken of this invisible grief of anniversaries that go unnoticed, of medals that never arrive, of ceremonies they are never invited to. Their loss remains personal, while public memory moves on.

The Air Force Day celebrations, magnificent as they were, could perhaps evolve into something even more meaningful a celebration that embraces every air warrior, regardless of how or where he or she fell. A moment, perhaps, to remind ourselves that the courage to fly and the readiness to die for one’s country does not need an enemy’s bullet to be called valour.

With Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh at the helm, the Indian Air Force continues to soar higher, building on a proud legacy of leadership and excellence. His tenure has brought with it a renewed sense of purpose and empathy, strengthening the bond between the uniform and those it represents. Under his watch, the force is moving ahead with quiet confidence, modernising rapidly, yet never losing sight of the human stories that give it heart.

For the families who have long waited to be seen and heard, there is now a glimmer of hope that under his compassionate command, their voices will find a place, and their loved ones’ sacrifices will be honoured in the way they deserve.

Whether in battle or in training, they were all sky warriors. And the sky, vast and eternal, holds them all equally.

Jai Hind