In April 9, India lost an outstanding son who faithfully served the motherland to the end.
I am an officer, 30 years younger than him, and the rank is several grades higher than him. this is a strange coincidence.
When Inpad published a publication in 1997, I approached him and presided over the publication of the book.
For me, this is the starting point for a very enlightening relationship.
Even today, the insights of some aviation directors are relevant.
On 1940, air force commander Moolgavkar served in the Royal Indian Air Force and took action in Myanmar.
After independence, he was the operational commander of the Kashmir air force.
There is considerable literature on the military operations in Kashmir during the first war after India's independence, but unfortunately the role of the Air Force has not received sufficient attention.
On October 1947, it was the air strikes and bombing of the vehicle of the attackers between Baramulla and Srinagar that really saved the Srinagar and Kashmir valleys from falling into Pakistan.
If there is no motor vehicle, the pace of the Raiders will slow down.
The attack by the Air Force during the day is ruthless.
This forced the Raiders to hide during the day and act at night (
No night in India
Soldiers of the time).
The use of air power has had a low morale effect on the attackers because they do not have their own air support and do not counter itaircraft guns.
It is speculated that the attack and capture of Zozila pass in November 1, 1948 was a turning point in the battle of Ladakh.
But to succeed, Ladakh will lose to Pakistan.
Air support at close range (
Then commander.
Moolgavkar played a key role in the final success.
He set out from the front line several times to support the army in Punch-Indian-controlled Kashmir is good.
Moolgavkar was awarded the second-highest award for the award for his conduct and leadership-Maha Vir Chakra.
Even the official history of that war is only a rough detail of the aerial action.
As an afterthought, this lack of understanding of the air
To date, the concept of land fighting on both sides of LoC still exists.
The role of air power in operation Cargill in 1999 was also underestimated.
Another serious consequence is that, for political reasons, we have completely ruled out the possibility of using air power in the anti-Kashmir area.
Rebel action.
As a real professional, Moolgavkar, Air Force chief of staff, has been concerned about the lack of defense awareness among India's top leaders.
He told us the story with Jawaharlal Nehru and his innocence.
At 1950 Air Force commander moolgaffkar served as India's defense attache in London.
At that time, our government was keen to buy modern missiles for the Air Force.
During Nehru's visit to the UK, he arranged for companies to show a short presentation for the prime minister.
The electronic display system was not invented at the time, and the High Commission of India set up a projector.
A senior director of the company, out of respect for the prime minister, put forward the view of attending the meeting.
The short film was very realistic, with the last loud sound, and the missile shot down an "enemy" plane in the flame cloud.
Nehru stood up angrily and shouted, "I have nothing to do with these weapons . " Then his daughter Indira rushed out of the room.
A few minutes later, Indira returned to the room, apologized for what happened and thanked the director for his efforts to arrange the exhibition.
Given this atmosphere of ignorance and doubt, it is precisely because of the perseverance of Air Marshal Moolgavkar and others that we still have an efficient air force.
Ir chief Marshal Moolgavkar is an avid pilot who continues to fly even if he is an air marshal.
During his long career, he flew nearly 67 kinds of planes.
In 1973, he took over as AOC-in-
C. western air force command, the largest command in terms of resources.
In 1976, he was awarded PVSM for outstanding service.
In February 1, 1976, he took over as chief of staff of the Indian Air Force.
Since then, until the end of his term in office in October 1978, Air Force chief of staff moolgaffkar personally assumed the task of controlling the incidence of IAF accidents.
He has always been regarded as a stalwart in flight safety, even from the era of his station commander.
As Chief of Staff, Air Marshal Moolgavkar has implemented several reforms and rules to improve the flight safety of the Indian Air Force.
Looking at the future, he has also introduced a "deep selection policy" which considers the selection of more than one group of people to a higher position, thus promoting the advantages of seniority.
This caused a lot of controversy and was later overturned, but it was clear that the air force commander moolgaffkar was first a professional.
He was in an emergency as chief of staff of the Air Force.
After the emergency, he was one of the few brave men, who testified before the Shah Commission, detailing how the pilot son of Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, intervened in aircraft procurement
No wonder the "Dynasty" did not like him and his great talent was never used after retirement.
Ir Marshal Moolgavkar finished most of his studies in England, but after he retired, he tried to master the maladi!
I still remember he gave a complete function at our request
Mature speech in Marathi.
He is a yoga and fitness enthusiast and has been in good health in his 90 s.
He has a way to machine and likes to fiddle with cars/scooters etc ---
But most importantly-
He is the embodiment of old manners and grace.
It was awkward when he insisted on receiving and delivering guests at his doorstep!
He shared a feature with Sam mankshaw, another great Indian soldier!
He is one of the founders of a forum called the twelve-man club in Pune.
The group meets on a monthly basis to discuss issues of national importance.
He was almost active until the end.
I had the privilege of meeting him several times and his keen wisdom and insight gave me joy.
I pay tribute to the great pilots and the great people, RIP Sir.