Flight Lieutenant Subramanian Muhilan

Flt Lt S Muhilan hailed from Belgaum in Karnataka and was born on 08 March 1972. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Science in July 1992 from Bangalore and later joined the Air Force as a cadet after clearing the Combined Defence Services Examination. He was commissioned into IAF on 18 December 1993 at the age of 21 years as a pilot. He got trained as a helicopter pilot as part of 152 Pilots' Course. After serving for a couple of years in various helicopter units Flt Lt S Muhilan got posted to 152 Helicopter Unit on 02 March 1998 which was operating Mi-17 helicopters.

Flt Lt S Muhilan was a very passionate flier and a highly dedicated officer. He had over 1250 hrs of flying to his credit and was considered to be one of the best shot in rocketry. He was a professionally competent helicopter pilot and had experience in flying both the Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters. His flying skills would enable accurate delivery of lethal weapons against well entrenched positions. Intimately familiar with high-altitude operations, his experience was an asset to the IAF during its operations.

Drass Air Operation (Kargil War) : 28 May 1999

During 1999, Flt Lt S Muhilan was serving with No 152 squadron Helicopter Unit, since 02 Mar 1998. By May 1999, a large-scale planned infiltration by militants backed by the Pakistan army, had been detected in Uri, Batallik and Drass sectors, and Indian Armed Forces were ordered to clear the areas of the intruders. Along with the operations by the Army, IAF also undertook air operations to meet the objective. One such operation was undertaken by 152 Squadron in the Drass sector. On May 28, Flt Lt S Muhilan was flying as a captain of a Mi-17 helicopter during an attack mission against ground positions strongly held by Pakistani infiltrators in the Drass sector. The enemy forces were well entrenched and were equipped with anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles to take on possible air attacks. Flt Lt S Muhilan with his Mi-17 helicopter repeatedly carried out attacks in the face of fierce enemy opposition in the form of ground fire and missiles.

Unfortunately in one of the retaliatory actions by the enemy forces his helicopter got hit by the US-made Stinger SAM(surface-to-air missile). Since the helicopter took a direct hit the damage caused was massive and the aircrew had no time to take any emergency maneuvers. The helicopter crashed and the valiant air crew comprising Sqn Ldr Rajiv Pundir, Flt Lt S Muhilan, Sgt Raj Kishor Sahu and Sgt PVNR Prasad were martyred. Flt Lt S Muhilan was a valiant air warrior and a committed soldier who laid down his life at the age of 27 years in the service of the nation.

Flt Lt S Muhilan is survived by his wife Smt Bina Muhilan and son, Dhruv.

Citation of "Vayu Sena Medal" awarded to Flt Lt S Muhilan reads:

Flight Lieutenant Subramaniam Muhilan (22739-A) Flying (Pilot) was on the posted strength of a Helicopter Unit since 15 Feb 98.

On 28 May 99, Flt Lt Muhilan was tasked to fly a live strike against enemy positions at point 5140, located at an inhospitable altitude of 5.1 Kms. While undertaking the mission, Flt Lt Muhilan was fully aware that the area was infested with missiles and that the only countermeasure against the missile was not fitted on his helicopter. Realising the importance of the mission, Flt Lt Muhilan boldly accepted the challenge and with total disregard to personal safety went ahead with the strike. Having successfully pressed home the attack, during the break away, Flt Lt Muhilan's helicopter was hit by a Stinger Missile. Despite Flt Lt Muhilan's best effort to control the damaged helicopter, it crashed killing Flt Lt Muhilan and all his crew members.

Displaying a very high level of professional competence and courage, Flt Lt. Muhilan had already undertaken three strike missions in the treacherous terrain of the Dras sub sector. These missions achieved astounding success and were the key to subsequent easy recapture by the ground forces. In his action, Flt Lt Muhilan displayed exceptional courage and acted in keeping with the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

For this act of exceptional gallantry, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Subramaniam Muhilan, Posthumous.