Indian Air Force Conducts Daring Rescue Mission Near Somali Coast

In a remarkable operation, the Indian Air Force successfully executed a mission to rescue 17 crew members of a merchant ship from pirates near the Somali coast, according to the Defence Ministry. On March 16, 2024, Wing Commander Akshay Saxena piloted a C-17 military transport aircraft on a 10-hour-long flight, airdropping two combat rubber raiding craft and a team of 18 MARCOs, the Indian Navy's special forces, to facilitate the rescue.

The mission was part of Operation Sankalp, aimed at combating piracy in the Arabian Sea. Flight details revealed that the operation occurred approximately 1,450 nautical miles from India, requiring stealth and precision in execution. Saxena, lauded for his "indomitable courage," switched off all aircraft emitters, flying low over foreign territory to avoid detection.

Despite last-minute changes to the drop location, the crew successfully completed the airdrop, allowing MARCOs to capture the pirates who had previously targeted merchant vessels and fired upon an Indian naval ship. The Defense Ministry praised the operation for its effective inter-service coordination and the exceptional leadership displayed by Saxena.