Service No : 30820-B
Place of birth : Nashik Dist (MH)
Last Rank : Squadron Leader
Unit : 154 HU AF
Arm/Regt : Indian Air Force
Operation : CI & IS Ops
Awards : Vayu Sena Medal
Martyrdom : February 27, 2019
Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane VM
Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane hailed from Nashik in Maharashtra. Son of Shri Anil Mandavgane and Smt Sushma Mandavgane Sqn Ldr Ninad was born in the year 1986. Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane completed his schooling at Bhonsala Military School, Nashik and later did his class 11th and 12th at Aurangabad Military Institute. Sqn Ldr Ninad had the inclination to join the Armed Forces since his childhood and continued to pursue his dream while growing up. Subsequently, he got selected for the prestigious NDA at Pune and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 24 Dec 2009. He got trained as a helicopter pilot and passed out as part of 2 SSC(M) FP course.
After completing his flying training he got posted to various operational Air Force bases and gained expertise in diverse air operations. He served at Air Forces bases at Guwahati in Assam and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh before being posted to the Air Force base at Srinagar in Kashmir. After serving for some time, he got married to Ms Vijeta and the couple had a daughter Vedita. He gradually gained proficiency in flying skills and got promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader on 24 Dec 2015. By 2019, Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane had put in nearly ten years of service in the IAF and evolved into an ace helicopter pilot having professional competence in various air operations. In 2019, Sqn Ldr Ninad got posted to the 154 Helicopter Unit based at the Air Force base in Srinagar. His unit was operating an MI-17 transport helicopter, extensively used for air transport and logistics operations. Sqn Ldr Ninad got married to Vijeta and the couple had a daughter Vedita.
Mi-17 Air Mission: 27 Feb 2019
During Feb 2019, Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane was serving with 154 HU based at Srinagar. 154 HU was raised in the year 2012 at Srinagar with the motto of "Apatsu Mitram" meaning "A friend in time of need". The unit was operating the Mi-17 V-5 helicopter, the most advanced variant of the Mi-17 family operated by the IAF, and was fitted with a full glass cockpit, advanced avionics, weather radar, and powerful Klimov VK2500 engines delivering 2,700 hp each. The Mi-17 V-5 could also be flown at night as its cockpit was Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible. The twin-engine helicopter was capable of single-engine flight and landing. It could achieve a top speed of 250 kmph and a cruise speed of 220-230 kmph. Mi-17 V-5s could also undertake armed missions for which they could be fitted with four pylons to carry suspended pods with 23mm cannons and 250 rounds each, up to 80 S-8 80mm unguided aerial rockets and bombs. Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane's unit was responsible for undertaking air transport and logistics operations in support of the Army as well as IAF operations in J & K.
On 27 Feb 2019, the unit was tasked with one more such mission in support of ongoing joint operations of Army and IAF in J&K. Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane as a co-pilot was detailed for an air support mission with his captain Sqn Ldr Sidharth Vashishth and other aircrew including Sgt Vikrant Sahrawat, Sgt Vishal Kumar Pandey, Cpl Deepak Pandey and Cpl Pankaj Kumar. The crew after having gone through their preparatory checks got ready to take off as per the operational plan on 27 Feb 2019. The Mi-17 V-5 aircraft (ZP-5220) took off as planned at 1000 hrs but soon after flying for nearly 10 minutes crashed in an open field near Garend Kalaan village in Budgam district about 10 km from the Srinagar International Airport. The helicopter broke into pieces and caught fire which made it impossible to save the crew members. All six valiant air warriors could not survive and laid down their lives in the service of the nation. Subsequent investigation revealed that the ill-fated Mi-17 V-5 was hit by the SPYDER ("Surface-to-air Python and Derby"), the IAF's short and medium-range mobile air defence system, in an operationally charged environment by mistake. Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane was a committed soldier and a professionally competent air warrior who laid down his life at the age of 33 years in the line of his duty. Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane was awarded with “Vayu Sena Medal" posthumously for his courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.
Sqn Ldr Ninad Mandavgane is survived by his father Shri Anil Mandavgane, mother Smt Sushma Mandavgane, wife Smt Vijeta and daughter Vedita.
Raja Junaid Farooq
2024 at 11:20 amSalute to the bravest of the brave. But u didn’t mention the real cause of that crash was a SAM from the same base that was on high alert and mistook the ill-fated halo as the enemy’s one. Led to the death of the Valiants.
Anantha Rao Sanapathi.
2024 at 11:21 amDear Brave Family Members..
First of all Happy Freedom Day to all in advance….
I would like to say a Sorry and a Thank you.
Sorry for the lost we Had.. He may not be with us now. But, He will be there forever in our hearts.
Thanks, you gave us a brave heart. Everyday we live was torn and brought from his dairy.
There are no words to convey our gratitude.
There is no honour to replace your sacrifice.
Chin Up.. We are proud of him..
Stay strong, we are with you.
With Love…
Vipin Thomas
2024 at 11:22 amDear Sir, we will never forget your sacrifice done for us…you have given us hope for clear skies. We salute you sir..
Vidhi
2024 at 11:22 amTruly a legend !
We thank you, We salute you, We will remember you till the last breath.
Saunak Biswas
2024 at 11:23 amBlues skies Wing Commander Ninad. We will never forget your sacrifice. Our heros, angels and warriors.
Sam Gabriel
2024 at 11:23 amYou are a real super hero Sir, we really admire you for all you’ve done for our nation to retain it’s pride.