First woman of IAF's Sarang team, Wing Commander Deepika Misra awarded Vayu Sena Medal for flood relief duty
According to the Ministry of Defence, Misra is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rated Instructor and Examiner. On Aug 2, 2021, the officer was detailed to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in response to flash floods in northern Madhya Pradesh.
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New Delhi, Aug 15: Wing Commander Deepika Misra has been awarded Vayu Sena Medal for her role in flash floods in Madhya Pradesh in August, last year. She helped in saving 47 lives in operations carried out amid strong winds and inclement weather. Wing Commander Deepika Misra is the first lady officer of join the IAF's Sarang Team.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Misra is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rated Instructor and Examiner. On Aug 2, 2021, the officer was detailed to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in response to flash floods in northern Madhya Pradesh. The ministry said, "Despite the odds of deteriorating weather, strong winds and the nearing sunset time, Wing Commander Deepika negotiated the challenging weather and was the first and only respondent to reach the affected area the same evening."
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It said her initial aerial recce and inputs thereof proved to be instrumental in the planning of the entire rescue operation by the IAF, NDRF and civil authorities. After the initial recce, she sprang into action, picking up stranded people from roads, fields and rising grounds and dropping them to safe places away from flood waters. In one instance she had to evacuate four villagers from a rooftop.
The statement read, "Despite the high risk of spatial disorientation due to limited visual cues and flowing water, she was successful in saving their lives. The rescue operation including low hover pick-ups and winching lasted for an exhaustive eight days and she saved the lives of 47 people including ladies and children. Her efforts of bravery and courage not only saved precious lives in a natural calamity but also instilled a sense of safety amongst the common populace in the flood-affected area. For this act of exceptional courage, Wing Commander Deepika Misra is awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)."
The government also conferred the Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry to Group Captains Rahul Singh and Ravi Nanda for their roles in Operation Devi Shakti last year to bring back Indians from Kabul, Afghanistan. Officers landed C-17 and C-130 transport planes in Kabul in different missions despite multiple threats.