Thu Jan 30 17:44:11 IST 2025: ## Indian Air Force Pilot Awarded for Daring Nighttime Rescue Mission off Somalia
**New Delhi, January 25** – Wing Commander Akshay Saxena of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for his pivotal role in a daring nighttime rescue mission off the coast of Somalia. The operation, details of which were released today, involved the rescue of 17 crew members from a pirate-controlled merchant vessel, MV Ruen.
The mission, conducted on March 16, 2024, as part of Operation Sankalp, saw Wing Commander Saxena expertly piloting a C-17 military transport aircraft over 1,450 nautical miles (approximately 2,610 km) to the objective area near the Somali coast. This involved flying undetected for nearly four hours through the airspace of another country, a significant risk given the potential for small arms fire from pirates.
The operation required precision airdropping of two combat rubberised raiding craft (CRRC) boats and a team of 18 Indian Navy MARCOS (Marine Commandos) onto the pirate ship, which had previously attacked other merchant vessels and even engaged INS Kolkata, shooting down a naval drone.
To avoid detection, Wing Commander Saxena switched off all emitters on the C-17, flew at low altitude over the high seas, and executed the airdrop at dusk. Despite receiving a last-minute change to the drop location just 50 nautical miles before the drop, he successfully guided the crew, enabling the MARCOS to capture the pirates and free the 17 crew members of the MV Ruen.
The Defence Ministry lauded Wing Commander Saxena’s exceptional courage, dynamic leadership, and professional skill in carrying out the challenging ten-hour mission, which required effective inter-service coordination with the Indian Navy and meticulous planning to maintain secrecy. The award recognizes his crucial contribution to a high-stakes operation showcasing the IAF’s commitment to maritime security.
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