Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:44pm on 30 Jan 2025,Thursday India Global
Wing Commander Akshay Saxena of the Indian Air Force led a daring 10-hour mission to rescue 17 crew members of a merchant ship near the Somali coast. In March 2024, he flew a C-17 aircraft in low-light conditions, airdropping 18 MARCO commandos and two raiding boats. The mission was part of Operation Sankalp against pirates. Despite the risks of detection and attack, Saxena flew low over foreign waters and ensured a precise drop. The operation successfully captured the pirates and freed the crew. For his bravery and professionalism, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal on Republic Day 2025.
