Who is Wing Commander Deepika Misra? 1st IAF officer honored with Gallantry award

New Delhi: Wing Commander Deepika Misra has scripted history by becoming the first woman officer of Indian Air Force (IAF) to receive a gallantry award.

Wing Commander Deepika Misra was presented Vayu Sena medal for gallantry by President last year and last evening, she received the medal from IAF chief Air Marshal VR Chaudhari at a ceremony held in the capital.

Several other officers & Air force jawans also received honours at the Investiture Ceremony held at Subroto Park’s Air Force Auditorium. 2 IAF officers were given Yudh Seva medal while 13 officers & 30 others were awarded with Vayu sena medal (gallantry) & 30 Visihisht seva medal respectively.

A total of 57 IAF and 1 from the Army were given the awards.

#WATCH | IAF’s first woman gallantry award winner Wing Commander Deepika Misra received her Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry from IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari at an investiture ceremony. She helped in saving lives of 47 people in floods last year in areas of MP& Raj. pic.twitter.com/0rafSejI5p

— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2023

Who is Wing Commander Deepika Misra?

The distinguished officer is a helicopter pilot from Rajasthan and she was awarded this medal for displaying ‘exceptional courage & valor’ during a flood relief operation in Madhya Pradesh.

Which brave act earned Deepika gallantry medal?

Wing Commander Deepika Misra’s brave act helped save 47 lives. The operation she undertook was disaster relief operation in Madhya Pradesh when it was hit by flash floods in August 2021. She braved inclement weather and strong winds and helped rescue many people stranded in flash floods.

The rescue operation lasted for seven days and during this period, she flew to the affected region multiple times and helped save 47 lives, including women & children.

Her courageous act not only helped save lives but also instilled faith in flood-hit victims that the armed forces were up against the odds to provide all types of relief & rescue.

Women officers from the Indian Air Force have been awarded in the past but this is the first instance of a woman officer winning gallantry medal and this make the occasion a truly special.