High-Stakes Rescue: The Miraculous Homecoming of India's Mirage-2000
A British F-35B jet's evacuation from Thiruvananthapuram mirrored a dramatic IAF mission two decades ago to retrieve a damaged Mirage-2000 from Mauritius. Squadron Leader Jaspreet Singh piloted the risky transoceanic journey, demonstrating exceptional aviation skills and courage, earning him the Vayu Sena medal for one of IAF's most daring peacetime operations.
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The recent evacuation of a British F-35B jet from Thiruvananthapuram echoes a past challenge faced by the Indian Air Force (IAF) when a Mirage-2000 aircraft was stranded in Mauritius for 22 days. This mission, helmed by Squadron Leader Jaspreet Singh, has become a celebrated tale in Indian aviation history.
The Mauritius ordeal saw the Mirage-2000 belly land during an air show, leaving it severely damaged. Urged by a bold plan, Indian engineers swiftly repaired the aircraft, and Singh executed a perilous flight over the Indian Ocean, reliant on mid-air refueling amid punishing weather and minimal backup options.
On Tuesday, the F-35B, part of the British Royal Navy, finally resumed its journey after being grounded due to technical issues. The parallels in these aviation rescues reaffirm the indomitable spirit of the IAF and the proficiency of its technical crew, showcased notably during Singh's daunting 2004 mission.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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