Bengaluru: The Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team was back in the skies Saturday at Aero India 2019 with the ‘Incomplete Diamond Formation’ in tribute to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi.
Gandhi lost his life in a tragic mid-air collision of two Surya Kiran aircraft during a rehearsal Tuesday, just a day ahead of the start of the airshow.
At about 10 am Saturday, seven Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers taxied out at the Air Force Base in Bengaluru’s Yelahanka and within minutes they were up in air amid loud cheers from the audience which included not just general public but also several service personnel.
Watch the #SuryaKirans as they rise from the ashes and fly in an 'Incomplete Diamond Formation' in tribute to their fallen brother Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi who lost his life in a tragic mid air collision on Tuesday. @ThePrintIndia #AeroIndia2019 pic.twitter.com/prRU4aWQ7N
— Snehesh Alex Philip (@sneheshphilip) February 23, 2019
Though they did restricted manoeuvres, what stood out was the formation. The seven jets came together in the air in a diamond formation but left a visible gap between them — this was symbolic of the space left behind by Wing Commander Gandhi, 37.
This came after the first day of the air show Wednesday, when tributes were paid to Gandhi as three fighter jets flew in a formation where the space for a fourth stood as a gaping void — it was meant to honour a colleague who was no longer with them.
A Jaguar, a Tejas and a Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft had come together for the ‘missing-man’ formation.
Also read: Two IAF Surya Kiran jets collide at Aero India rehearsal, one pilot dead
Surya Kiran
The Surya Kiran (meaning rays of the sun) team has always been one of the biggest crowd-pullers at the Aero India. Only recently, the team upgraded from Kiran aircraft to the Hawk.
The Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team was formed in 1996, with the Kiran MK-II aircraft. The team, which is part of the 52nd Squadron, first took flight in 1998.
In 2011, following issues with Kiran aircraft, the Surya Kiran team had to be grounded.
However, they came back in action in 2017 with the Hawks. The team consists of 13 pilots but only nine fly at a show.
Also read: At Aero India, Jaguar, Tejas & Sukhoi honour IAF officer killed in mid-air collision