Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, will deliver the keynote address for the first Air Commodore Mehar Singh MVC DSO Memorial Talk at the Air Force Station, Chandigarh, on January 9.
Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, Air Marshal Jagjeet Singh (Retd), Senior Vice President of the Air Force Association (AFA), Air Marshal Sukhchain Singh (Retd), President of the AFA (North Zone), senior serving and retired officers of the IAF will be attending the event.
Known as ‘Baba’ Mehar Singh, Air Cmde Mehar Singh is a legendary figure in the IAF and despite his tragically short career, he achieved extraordinary feats and displayed unwavering courage in the face of danger. He joined the erstwhile Royal Indian Air Force and was sent to Cranwell for training before being commissioned in August 1936. He quickly became an exceptional pilot, earning accolades for his skill and dedication early in his career operations in the North-West Frontier Province and during World War II. As commander of No. 6 Squadron in Burma, his leadership and daring exploits earned him the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1944, a rare honour for an Indian officer.
Air Commodore Mehar Singh’s most notable achievements were during the 1947-48 Indo-Pakistani War, when as the Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, he played a crucial role in defending Jammu and Kashmir. He was the first pilot to land at the hastily constructed airstrip in Poonch in Nov 1947, establishing a vital air bridge that saved the town and refugees.
His most daring feat came in May 1948 when he landed a Dakota aircraft at Leh. Flying over treacherous Himalayan ranges without navigational aids, he successfully landed on a makeshift airstrip at an altitude of 11,540 feet, a feat then considered impossible. This daring mission ensured the reinforcement and supply of Leh, a strategic move that helped India retain control of the region.
Air Chief to deliver first Baba Mehar Singh Memorial Talk in Chandigarh on Jan 9
He joined the erstwhile Royal Indian Air Force and was sent to Cranwell for training before being commissioned in August 1936
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, Updated At : 08:18 PM Jan 07, 2026 IST
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. File
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, will deliver the keynote address for the first Air Commodore Mehar Singh MVC DSO Memorial Talk at the Air Force Station, Chandigarh, on January 9.
Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, Air Marshal Jagjeet Singh (Retd), Senior Vice President of the Air Force Association (AFA), Air Marshal Sukhchain Singh (Retd), President of the AFA (North Zone), senior serving and retired officers of the IAF will be attending the event.
Known as ‘Baba’ Mehar Singh, Air Cmde Mehar Singh is a legendary figure in the IAF and despite his tragically short career, he achieved extraordinary feats and displayed unwavering courage in the face of danger. He joined the erstwhile Royal Indian Air Force and was sent to Cranwell for training before being commissioned in August 1936. He quickly became an exceptional pilot, earning accolades for his skill and dedication early in his career operations in the North-West Frontier Province and during World War II. As commander of No. 6 Squadron in Burma, his leadership and daring exploits earned him the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1944, a rare honour for an Indian officer.
Air Commodore Mehar Singh’s most notable achievements were during the 1947-48 Indo-Pakistani War, when as the Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, he played a crucial role in defending Jammu and Kashmir. He was the first pilot to land at the hastily constructed airstrip in Poonch in Nov 1947, establishing a vital air bridge that saved the town and refugees.
His most daring feat came in May 1948 when he landed a Dakota aircraft at Leh. Flying over treacherous Himalayan ranges without navigational aids, he successfully landed on a makeshift airstrip at an altitude of 11,540 feet, a feat then considered impossible. This daring mission ensured the reinforcement and supply of Leh, a strategic move that helped India retain control of the region.R
In 1950, Air Commodore Mehar Singh was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), India’s second-highest military decoration, for his exceptional gallantry and leadership. His pioneering spirit, courage, and innovative approach to warfare have left an indelible mark on the Indian Air Force.