A historical moment was forged in the annals of the Indian Air Force when a father and son flew in a sortie together.
On the afternoon of Dec 5, 2015, Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill AVSM, YSM, VM (G) ADC, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command flew a three aircraft close formation sortie on Hawk Mk132.
The interesting part? His son, Flying Officer Shahbeg Gill, was also a part of the same formation.
The three aircraft formation took off approximately at 1500 hrs and landed after approximately one hour. When the Air Marshal was asked how he felt after having flown a sortie with his son, he replied:
“This is a historic moment for the air force and a very proud and emotional one for me” – adding that he’d like to see more brave sons going out to fly and fight for the country.
Air Marshal Gill also spoke highly of the force he has served with such distinction for years, declaring – “I can easily say that the Indian air force is the elitest service in the world – one I can never do without. Perhaps that is why I leave half of me with the air force whenever I leave.”
When father and son landed after the sortie, Mrs Ranjit Gill, Shahbeg’s mother was highly emotional. “The two people dearest to me in this world have flown together in close formation and I cannot describe how I’m feeling. I am obviously one of the proudest wives and mothers today.”
Air Marshal KS Gill was commissioned into the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force in December 1977. In a career spanning 38 years, he has held instructional, directional and command appointments, including Commandant of the National Defence Academy. He has more than 7,000 hours of accident/ incident-free flying experience to his credit.
Flying Officer Shahbeg – a student of Army Public School, Patiala – meanwhile stated right after the sortie that he’d always wanted to be like his father, ever since he’d been a child.
“Today I’ve taken a major step towards achieving that.”