Wing Commander Sumedh Ashok Jamkar awarded Vayu Sena Medal for 2021 Uttarakhand rescue operation

New Delhi: Wing Commander Sumedh Ashok Jamkar (28224) F(P) is posted as Flight Commander of a Helicopter Unit, equipped with the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv.

On 19 Oct 21, when torrential rains affected Uttarakhand, he was tasked to position one ALH helicopter at Gauchar for Disaster Relief Operations. On 20 Oct, the Uttarakhand Govt called upon the IAF for immediate search and rescue of a missing seven-member mountaineering team on expedition to Kilar (Himachal Pradesh) from Harsil via Lamkhaga Pass.

With negligible information available and aware that no unit aircrew had ever operated in the search area, Wg Cdr Jamkar volunteered and got airborne from Pantnagar in marginal weather with two SDRF crew.

The search necessitated sustained operations at extreme high altitude in unfamiliar and inhospitable terrain with limited turn radius being available. Unmindful of the operating risks in afternoon hours at such an extreme altitude & in marginal weather, he relentlessly continued search till 1600 hrs until heavy snowfall impeded operations.

Undeterred and resilient, the next day he got airborne at first light again. His contour study enabled him to earmark four probable sites, all covered with fresh snow on high gradient slopes. He sighted a tent adjacent to the second ledge at 17300 feet. Displaying true grit and valour, he made a decision to land on the ledge.

Countering snow bowl conditions due gusty winds and leaving no margin for error, he maintained the centre of gravity of the aircraft on the steep slope to effect rescue of two survivors there. It was impossible for the SDRF crew to lift mortal remains at that altitude.

For this, he displayed ingenuity by using the winch cable to facilitate movement across undulating snowbound terrain. Wg Cdr Jamkar undertook three successive missions that day bringing exemplary courage to the fore by landing at three other treacherous locations, between 15600 to 16900 feet rescuing three survivors and retrieving four mortal remains.

For the act of exceptional gallantry and courage, Wg Cdr Sumedh Ashok Jamkar is awarded with 'Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)'.