11 Jan 2011 was a sad day for all of us as Team Sarang had lost a family member. Wg Cdr Vikas Jetley was an excellent officer and a fearless aviator. A man of few words, Jet Sir (his nick name) was always looked up upon as a guide and a mentor by his juniors and peers alike. His maturity and wisdom made him stand apart in all his endeavors, on ground and in air. Jet Sir was indeed a source of inspiration for all his youngsters. His uncurbed enthusiasm in guiding and motivating his juniors made him a favorite in the unit.
Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly was an exemplary helicopter pilot. His vast experience included extensive sea flying on the west coast to hill flying in excess of 19,000 ft AMSL at Leh. It was for his undaunted professionalism that he was chosen for Indian Air Force's Sarang Helicopter Display Team. Jets would be missed for a long, long time to come.
11 Jan 2011 would go down in the history of Team Sarang as a day of sorrow. That day was the demise of Jets sense of fairness and honesty which he demonstrated in his actions and words alike. The day was the demise of our hope that one day we would see Jet Sir absolutely fit and smiling, as ever before. Sarangs would take a lifetime to grow out of this shock.
May God give strength to Jet Sir’s wife Shalini, his charming children Sukrit and Tanisha, and his parents who never gave up on him till the end. Jet Sir would surely be remembered with fond thoughts and moist eyes during Aero-India 2011. Once a Sarang, always a Sarang.
May God bless his soul.
