Bengaluru: IAF pays tribute to fallen comrade by flying in 'missing man' formation

Bengaluru: The city's skies dazzled with somersaults and stunts by the metal birds that paid tribute to the Surya Kiran aircraft pilot killed in a mishap during rehearsal on Tuesday. The Jaguar, Tejas and Sukhoi 30MKI aircraft flew in the 'Missing Man' aerial salute formation in honour of Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi. The Rafale aircraft flew at low speed to pay tribute to Wg. Cdr.

Gandhi who died in a mid-air collision between two aircraft of IAF's aerobatics team 'Surya Kiran" during rehearsal on Tuesday.  This was followed by a slow speed pass by Rafale as a salute to the braveheart. While the Rafale displayed the maneuvers the pilot over the radio said,"Namaste India...This is for you Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi."

The missing man formation is the way aviators pay tribute to their fallen comrades.

While the aircraft flew in the 'missing man' formation, the commentary from the Indian Air Force stated, "The team lost a buddy, the IAF a thorough professional and the nation a hero".

It was followed by a song named 'Impressions of a pilot' penned by Gary Claud Stoker which said "Flight is the freedom in its purest form To dance with the clouds which follow the storm To roll and glide, to wheel and spin To feel the joy that swells within..."