IAF@79: Sarangs on a song again!

By Sarang Publicity Wing

The ‘Sarang’ Helicopter Display Team has evolved from erstwhile ALH Evaluation Flight (AEF) formed at Aircraft and System Testing Establishment (ASTE) on 18 March 2002. After completion of the initial task of field evaluation of the ‘Advanced Light Helicopter’ (ALH), the unit was tasked with role of formation display flying to showcase the capability of the indigenously manufactured ALH and as ambassadors of the Indian Air Force.

The Team ‘Sarang’ has been derived from the Sanskrit meaning ‘Peacock’, the Indian National bird. It attempts to symbolise the beauty and grace of the peacock, during the display. The helicopters have been painted in bright colours with the peacock form superimposed on them. The team was amalgamated with the resurrected 151 HU in Jun 2004 and accorded a status of full fledged helicopter unit.

The Team made its debut performance at the Asian Aerospace Air show at Singapore in Feb 2004. Since then, the Team has performed in 35 various air shows in India as well as abroad. The Team’s performance at Al Ain Aerobatic Show, UAE in Jan 05 earned it a reputation as one of the best display team in the world. Since its first display; the Team has carried out numerous displays in India and Abroad. The team participated in the Berlin air show in May 2008 where it was adjudged as the best looking close formation team.

The team made history after five helicopters of Indian Air Force ferried across the English Channel from Germany to the United Kingdom. In the year 2011, the team has participated in the Bangalore Air Show, passing out parades for NDA and AF Academy.

The Sarang Team is led by its Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Manjeet Singh Sidhu, VM. Wing Commander SK Shivrain is the Deputy team leader. The other team members are Wing Commander Nikhil Naidu, Wing Commander Kunal Girme, Wing Commander Vinod Negi, Squadron Leader Prabhat Shukla, Squadron Leader Sameet Bhopi, Squadron Leader V Manoj, Squadron Leader Anil Yadav, Squadron Leader SK Mishra, Squadron Leader Rahul Sharma and Squadron Leader Sumedh Jamkar. Squadron Leader Rahul Sharma is the latest entrant to the team and has the onerous and difficult task of keeping a watchful eye on the team every time it performs as its safety officer. Squadron Leader Siddharth Kumar is the Senior Engineering officer of the team. He along with Flight Lieutenant Priyanshu Mukherji, Flight Lieutenant Bharat Bajaj and the other professional and qualified air warriors of the team keep the machines flying fit for such arduous profiles. Flight Lieutenant Praveen Kumar, does the commentary for the displays with his deep baritone voice.

The ‘Sarang’ Team has earned a name for itself as a professional display team in a short span of time. It has the unique distinction of being one of only two operational helicopter display team in the world, the other being ‘Blue Eagles’ of the British Army. The Team continuously strives to modify and perform new profiles for each display. It strives toward achieving greater perfection and professionalism. While it is natural to expect daring and precise formation displays by fixed wing aircraft, it is difficult for helicopters to perform similar manoeuvres owing to the inherent instability and large and unwieldy rotors. This is what makes the ‘Sarang Display Team’ so special and unique.

NEW ACT: The new profile, which the Sarang flies these days, begins with entry in diamond formation with the No.1 flying backwards. The lead helicopter thereafter does a reverse flare and hovers momentarily before diving for a salute to the audience. The leader then flies through a formation of three helicopters while demonstrating the reverse flying capability of the ALH. The first three helicopters then group together to perform the star manoeuvre which is unique to helicopter flying – the stall turn known as the ‘Dolphin’s Leap’. The team then continually keeps the audience glued to the skies with their breathtaking manoeuvres. The next is the hearstopping ‘Crossover Break’, followed by the ‘Arrow’.

Another addition to the profile has been incorporated recently are the wingovers followed by two aircraft pair manoeuvring where in two aircraft face each other on the Runway and turn about each other describing a circle on ground. The team then regroups for its final signature manoeuvre ‘The Sarang Split ’ in which the four heicopter cross each other vertically and horizontally to form a knot.

The team strives to give the best to the audience and is ever hopeful that with their display, it is able to capture the hearts of the audience and enthrall them.

(This article is hosted on the blog without editing.)

Blogging for a cause: IAF chief promises all help to Jetly's family; I can understand the trauma of the lady, says Naik

Today is February 11, 2011. Exactly a month since we lost Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly – one of the finest stunt pilots with India’s Sarang Aerobatic Display Team. It’s also one month since Tarmak007 launched the Justice for Jetly campaign. Misty  eyes when I sit down to write this post on Day-3 of an otherwise boring Aero India-2011. I am sure those who have been following  this campaign could understand why...

On February 10, during the customary Aero India press meet of Indian Air Force at Yelahanka Air Force Station, a question was posed to IAF chief P.V. Naik as to know the status of Winco Jetly’s wife’s (Shalini) petition. For the first time since the Justice for Jetly campaign was launched, we had an official response from the IAF, though India’s defense minister Antony had written to the family promising support.

Naik assured the IAF would address the demands of late Winco Jetly’s family members. A calm and composed Air Chief said this: “Very sad. I am aware of the case and we will do everything possible to help the family. She (Shalini) had met my wife. I can understand the pain and agony of a widow and especially in this case, it was more. I am sure she will come out of it and make a life of herself. I am told that she is a very strong woman. The IAF will give her full support. In the armed forces a lot of things -- especially pension and other benefits -- are released only after a person’s death. She also needs a job and I am aware of the same,” the chief said.

Back in Delhi, the family members had mixed response when told about the Naik’s promise. “We are waiting. Now, that the Air Chief has made a public statement, we hope things will move,” a family member said.

Tarmak007 would keep the campaign alive, but would want to express my gratitude to all Media friends, online forums (BR, Andhrafriends etc), who took up this campaign to more people. Hope the IAF will find a solution to help the family, finally.

Probably this is the best news I am brining to all of you from Aero India 2011. IAF Chief promises help to Jetly family.

R.I.P. Winco Jetly! 

# 3. R.I.P.: Remembering Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly

Late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly. Photo Courtesy:  Mudit Chaurasia

(Request all Jetly’s friends (in IAF & others), who happen to read this blog  to email his photos with the Sarang team or any other while in Service to: anantha.ak@gmail.com)

# 2. R.I.P.: Sarang team’s top stunt pilot dies after 4 years in coma following Dhruv crash; wife pleads with IAF for a job in school

Four years after the ill-fated crash of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, operated by the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Sarang Aerobatic team at the Yelahanka AF Station in Bangalore, the brave-heart pilot who hung on to life fighting every injury one after the other in a state of coma, finally gave up.

Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly (43) passed away at 7:15 pm on January 11 at the Air Force Hospital, Hindon. Jetly’s co-pilot Sqn Ldr Priye Sharma had died during the crash in 2007. Jetly is survived by his wife Shalini (40) and two children.

It was on 2 Feb 2007 that a brand new Dhruv, manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) Helicopter Complex in Bangalore, donning the mesmerizing colors of peacock, crashed at the during a normal practice sortie. The helicopter crashed after a hard left turn at low-altitude, readying itself for the show-stopper cross-over maneuver. The incident happened just 5 days before the Aero India 2007.

Jetly was immediately rushed to Command Hospital in Bangalore and for the next two-and-a-half-years, it was his home. The doctors tried everything under the Sun to bring him back to normal life. On his part, though in coma, his body launched a very silent mission, fighting every injury. His colleagues in the Sarang team remember him as an extremely brave pilot. 

EX-CO & FRIEND | He was one solid chap, who cared for his juniors | "He was a solid chap. Sober. He was a man of few words. What made him different was that he always encouraged youngsters. His energy levels were very high. He was the main member of the formation flying," recalls Hari Nair, Ex-CO, Sarang Helicopter Display Team. "He was part of the Sarang team right from the beginning of the team's formation (2003). He was a Cheetah pilot, who used to operate in Leh. He was picked for the aerobatic team, purely due to his excellent flying skills. He was an extremely fit person. We will miss him for a long time to come," says Hari, who was the first CO for Sarang team and Jetly's boss.
"He was a good guy. I remember him as a very disciplined pilot, always smiling. Very friendly," says an IAF spokesperson, who had seen Jetly from very close quarters, during his initial days in IAF.

Jetly's children Sukrit & Tanisha. 

WIFE | We were hoping that he will be back for next b’day | "The Indian Air Force looked after Vikas wonderfully well all these years. They kept him alive for four years. But you couldn’t make it out as he was in a coma. I brought him to the Air Force Hospital, Hindon, on June 18, 2010. Till then, he was at the Command Hospital in Bangalore. It all happened suddenly on January 11. Between me, my father-in-law and my mother-in-law – we used to take turns to visit him. On January 11, my father-in-law came back and said Jetly had slight fever. This was normal, as he would develop fever, breathing problem now and then. The temperature shot up from 99 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The doctors put him on oxygen and managed to get things under control. But by around 7.30 pm, we got a call from the hospital and we were informed that Vikas was no more. He passed way at 7.15 pm. He suddenly developed pneumonia. It was all over. So fast,” says Shalini (40), Jetly’s wife. In medical parlance, pneumonia might have struck due to ‘prolonged recumbency.’

Their two children Sukrit (12) and Tanisha (8) are studying at the IAF School in Subroto Park. Shalini, a post-graduate in Home Science, now hopes that that the IAF will show some compassion and give her a job at the same school. Shalini was working with HAL’s Liaison Office in Houz Khas as Assistant Personnel Officer until last year. She got the job following the magnanimity of then chairman A K Baweja. “I am thankful to HAL for giving me the job, which I had to discontinue as it was really far from my house. I had a tough time in balancing between Vikas, children, home, travel and then work. I am on a leave without pay for the last one year. Now, with Vikas gone, I want to be with my children,” says Shalini.

She further tells Tarmak007 that she had met all possible IAF officials within her reach with the request of giving her a job on compassionate grounds at the Subroto Park Air Force School. “I met many, gave my resume. I told them I am willing to even teach Class-I, II. Give me some job. I am tired,” she said, weeping profusely. Shalini says if she gets this job, she would be able to commute with her kids to school and back. “I can go in the school bus. Please help me, if you can.”

Recalling her tough days, post-crash in 2007, Shalini says the doctors did every possible thing they could. “They kept him so beautifully. He was as handsome as ever. My kids use to sing poems, read stories for him. He used to open his eyes and sigh deeply. Sometimes, tears rolled down from his eyes when children sang. Probably he was telling us he was happy. Maybe that’s the way he was reacting. Maybe that’s how one reacts when in coma. May be not,” she said.

On 8 August 2010 was Jetly’s 43^rd birthday. The family had assembled at his bed-side to wish him a speedy recovery. “We prayed that he should be home for the next birthday, but…” says Shalini.

DOCTOR | He fought every injury in coma |In Bangalore, Air Vice-Marshal A.K. Behl, Commandant, Command Hospital, said Jetly was a very strong person who never gave up, despite being in a coma. “I was there when he was brought in from the crash site. He had so many injuries and his body fought everything one after the other. That showed his internal strength. We didn’t even allow a single bed-sore while he was with us. We took care of him the best possible way,” recalls Behl.

EX-CAS | Very sad and I remember the smart boy |Air Chief Marshal Krishnaswamy (retd), former Chief of Air Staff, IAF, said India lost a daredevil pilot with the death of Jetly. When Tarmak007 broke the sad news to Keecha – as he was popularly known – he said: “Very sad. I remember the smart boy. The loss of Jetly again shows how a professional military pilot has to scarify his life. How challenging his work is. Whatever maybe the issue that resulted in the crash, in aviation our efforts should be towards making aviation more safe and more acceptable. I have great respect for Jetly who was with the Sarang team with another fine pilot Hari, who I am told now is in HAL. My deepest condolences to Jetly’s family, near and dear ones.” The Sarang team was formed during Keecha’s tenure as the CAS.

WILL SOMEBODY HELP? | When Shalini’s story was brought to the notice of a senior Ministry of Defence official in Delhi, he promised help. Hope he sticks to his promise. If not, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik must step in and help Shalini, considering the agony she has undergone. A close family friend of Shalini’s says that the stock reply they got from officials was: “There are many such cases and we would have to look into pending ones first.”

If the powers-that-be want, then this wish, rather a genuine request of a pilot’s wife, can be done without much hassle. Tarmak007 would keep the campaign alive, in support of Shalini.

R.I.P.

Extreme left in both photos (above and below) is late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly. Photo Courtesy: Hari Nair, Ex-CO, Sarang Helicopter Display Team 

 (Request all Jetly’s friends (in IAF & others) who happen to read this blog, to email his photos with the Sarang team or any other while in Service to: anantha.ak@gmail.com)

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Link to a report in Hindustan Times by Rahul Singh (First to report)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Top-stunt-pilot-of-IAF-dies-after-4-yrs-in-coma/Article1-649607.aspx
Link to a report in DNA by Hemanth C.S.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_sarang-team-loses-its-soul-wing-commander-vikas-jetley-four-years-after-crash_1494277

Link to a report in Deccan Chronicle by Amit S. Upadhye

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/bengaluru-bids-goodbye-one-its-finest-fliers-353