Air Commodore NITIN SATHE (Retd)

Stories by Air Commodore NITIN SATHE (Retd)

How the Bangladesh Air Force was born

How the Bangladesh Air Force was born

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2021

'Overnight, the Chetak had new markings and thereafter flew on the call sign, Echo-Bravo-Romeo.' 'By all accounts, this was the first aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force.'

When a fighter pilot prepares to fly...

When a fighter pilot prepares to fly...

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2021

What does a fighter pilot feel as he takes off and lands his battle-ready aircraft? Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd) takes you through those emotions.

1971 War: Living To Fly Another Day

1971 War: Living To Fly Another Day

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2021

'You are to train three Bangladeshi pilots to fly this Chetak helicopter. Your task begins now.'

IAF Will Touch The Sky With Further Glory

IAF Will Touch The Sky With Further Glory

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2021

Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, who will head the IAF from October 1, will keep our fighting capabilities sharpened and operationally ready for conflict at all times, notes Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

Salute This Hero of the 1971 War!

Salute This Hero of the 1971 War!

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2021

'Our men had suffered so much pain for the independence of other people in a foreign land.'

1971 War: A brave Dakota pilot's contribution

1971 War: A brave Dakota pilot's contribution

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2021

'We flew all missions in the first part of the war at low levels; that is at 300 to 500 feet above the ground.' 'These sorties were no doubt stressful since the pilots and crew had to look out for birds and obstructions as well as enemy gunfire.'

1971 War: Meet War Hero 'Keen Kumar'

1971 War: Meet War Hero 'Keen Kumar'

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2021

'We airlifted army personnel wearing lungis to generally unused landing grounds.' 'We were told to keep quiet about what we did or saw.'

When the IAF trained Pakistani pilots!

When the IAF trained Pakistani pilots!

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2021

Air Commodore Nitin Sathe discovers how the IAF trained Pakistani air force pilots, during the 1971 War, which led to the birth of the Bangladesh air force.

'Gentlemen, we are at war!'

'Gentlemen, we are at war!'

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2021

'I propose to finish it soon, but till then you all will ensure that we strike hard at our enemy.' 'I will not accept any shortcomings or cowardice.'

When Pakistan SURRENDERED to India

When Pakistan SURRENDERED to India

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2021

'There was plenty of pushing, pulling and jostling going on as everyone wanted to see what was going on at the table.'

'We helped the army tighten the noose around Dacca'

'We helped the army tighten the noose around Dacca'

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2021

'Air Superiority that we held from the Second Day of Operation 'Cactus Lily' helped our Armed Forces to speed up operation 'Jackpot' to seize East Pakistan and force Gen Niazi and the Pakistani Army to lay down their arms on 16 December.'

The Tejas Is 20 Years Old!

The Tejas Is 20 Years Old!

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2021

On the 20th anniversary of the first flight of the Tejas, we must congratulate the entire team who made sure that the LCA flew and returned safely on January 4, 2001, sowing the seed for development of a state-of-the-art fighter airplane that our country so badly needed, says IAF veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe.

'The boys were so fired up to fight the enemy'

'The boys were so fired up to fight the enemy'

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2020

'One of the bullets grazed General Sagat's hand and one injured Flying Officer Sidhu in the leg.' 'The helicopter was quickly flown back to Agartala and after landing they found that the aircraft had been peppered with 38 bullet holes!'

How IAF choppers helped General Sagat liberate Bangladesh

How IAF choppers helped General Sagat liberate Bangladesh

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2020

The retreating Pakistani troops were heading towards Dacca and they had to be stopped at all costs. The Eastern Army Commander, in his orders to General Sagat Singh, had reiterated that he did not want the troops of 4 Corps to cross the Meghna river. But General Sagat had other plans to threaten Dacca and ensure that the pressure would make the Pakistani commanders capitulate. This is where the IAF helicopters came in.

China-Pak air exercise; Cause for worry?

China-Pak air exercise; Cause for worry?

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2020

'There is much to glean from such exercises. And make it known that we are ready to take them on together!', says Air Commodore Nition Sathe (retd).

'During the war, we reached 40 km into Pakistan'

'During the war, we reached 40 km into Pakistan'

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2020

'My brave JCO managed to get to the gun, sit on top of the dead man and fired away at the attacking aircraft till they melted away into the darkness.'

1971 War: When my dad trained the Mukti Bahini

1971 War: When my dad trained the Mukti Bahini

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2020

Dad had sneaked into East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh) well before the war had started for reconnaissance of the terrain on the other side. He had disguised himself as a driver of a truck laden with goods and traveled into East Pakistan to be received by the underground fighters of the Mukti Bahini.

Celebrating Heroes: Meet the IAF's first para rower

Celebrating Heroes: Meet the IAF's first para rower

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2020

'I am grateful to God that I am alive and he has made me differently-abled for a greater cause,' says Wing Commander Shantanu.

Soni Somarajan's INSPIRING LIFE

Soni Somarajan's INSPIRING LIFE

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2020

It was Soni Somarajan's biggest dream -- to see himself as a proud member of the Indian Armed Forces. When Life brutally shattered that dream, he wove a new one.

Tsunami Memories: How we rebuilt the IAF's CarNic airbase

Tsunami Memories: How we rebuilt the IAF's CarNic airbase

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2020

'Wanting to see the bright side of things, we always told ourselves, 'It could have been worse!', when the situation got tough.' Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd), who helped rebuild the IAF's Car Nicobar air base after the 2004 tsunami, recalls the devastation on United Nations World Tsunami Awareness Day.