Ravinder Nath Bhardwaj
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Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bhardwaj | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lahore, Undivided British India |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service |  Indian Air Force |
| Rank |  Air Marshal |
| Unit | No. 20 Squadron IAF "Lightnings" |
| Commands | No. 20 Squadron IAF "Lightnings" 15 Wing IAF Southern Air Command |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards |  Param Vishisht Seva Medal Vayu Sena Medal |
Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bhardwaj PVSM MVC VM was an ex-officer of the Indian Air Force and a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Maha Vir Chakra (India's second highest gallantry Award) and the Vayu Sena Medal.
Early life
Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bhardwaj was born in Lahore, Undivided British India on July 1935. His father's name was Shri P.N.Bhardwaj.
Military career
Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bhardwaj was commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 8 Oct 1955.[2] After joining the Indian Air Force, he saw action in both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan Wars.
In January 1971, as he served in an operational training squadron, where he instituted measures bringing about improved flying skills and knowledge of the trainees, for which he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal.
During the 1971 war, he held the rank of Squadron Leader, in No. 20 Squadron IAF, a fighter bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Hunter aircraft and as senior officer of the squadron, led a number of deep penetration missions into Pakistani territory attacking heavily defended targets including Pakistani airfields, oil refineries and in support of ground operations. For bravery and leadership displayed in combat missions, Squadron Leader Ravinder Nath Bhardwaj was awarded the Mahavir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award.[3]
After the war, he went on to hold senior responsibilities:
- Director, Plans at Air Headquarters
- Air Officer Commanding of 15 Wing
- Deputy Commandant & Chief Instructor of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla
- Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Southern Air Command, Trivandrum
He rose to the rank of Air Marshal, before retiring on 31 Jul 1993.
References
- ^ "SQUADRON LEADER RAVINDER NATH BHARDWAJ". Ministry of Defence, Govt of India official website.
- ^ "Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bharadwaj". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- ^ Chakravorty, B. (1995). Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. 112: Allied Publishers. p. 387. ISBN 9788170235163.
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