“Honoring the Legacy of AVM Rudra (Rudy)”

Air Vice Marshal Manish Kumar Rudra: A Distinguished Career in the Indian Air Force

Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Manish Kumar Rudra, with the service number 4358 F(P), had a remarkable career in the Indian Air Force, serving in the Transport stream. His journey began on 30 August 1952 when he was commissioned after the successful completion of the 58 Course, setting the stage for an illustrious service career that had spanned over three decades.

Early Career and Promotions

During his college years, he enrolled in the Army Wing NCC, where he had the privilege of marching in the first Republic Day parade held on January 26^th. 1951, on the then Rajpath (now known as Kartavya Path). After successfully completing his pilot training, he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on August 30^th. 1952, as a Pilot Officer at the No. 1 Air Force Academy situated in Begumpet, Hyderabad.

AVM Rudra’s career was marked by steady progress through the ranks. He was promoted to Flying Officer on 30^th. August, 1953, Flight Lieutenant on 30^th. August, 1957, and Squadron Leader on 30^th. August, 1963. His sheer dedication and leadership competence rewarded him with promotion to the rank of Wing Commander on 1^st. October, 1969, elevated as the Group Captain on 1^st. April, 1976, furthermore the Acting Air Commodore on 10^th. September, 1979. He was decorated with the rank of Air Commodore on 1^st. April, 1980 and was finally promoted to Air Vice Marshal on 17^th. December, 1984.

• ader, Air HQ Communications Squadron, Palam: * He served as a Squadron Pilot until 01^st. December 1973.

• Wing Commander, No. 49 Squadron: * Commanding Officer from 1 April 1973 to 1 December 1974.

• Wing Commander, Elementary Flying School, Bidar: * Chief Instructor from 1 July 1975 to 24 July 1977.

• Group Captain, Elementary Flying School, Bidar: * Commandant from 10 September 1979 to 9 August 1981.

• Air Commodore, Advance HQ, Eastern Air Command, Calcutta: * Air Officer Commanding from 20 August 1981 to 29 December 1982.

• Air Commodore, 10 Wing, Jorhat: * Air Officer Commanding from 28 December 1983 to 8 April 1984.

• Air Commodore, Central Air Command, Allahabad: * Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration from 9 April 1984 to 24 November 1984.

• Air Commodore, Organisation & Ceremonial, Air HQ, Delhi: * Director of Organisation from 26 November 1984 to 15 February 1987.

• Air Vice Marshal, Central Air Command, Allahabad: * Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration from 15 February 1985.

• AVM, Maintenance Command, Nagpur: * Held a key leadership role until his retirement.

• AVM, No. 49 Squadron: * Commodore Commandant from 8 February 1988 to 31 December 1988.

Retirement :

After an illustrious career, services of AVM Manish Kumar Rudra were superannuated on 31^st. December, 1988. Having made pathbreaking contributions to the Indian Air Force. His leadership, dedication, and service remain exemplary in the history of Indian Air Force.

Gathering of the Force:

The historic AN-12 Detachment operated from Dum Dum, with the Packets operated from Agra and Allahabad staging through Kolkata.

The Dakota Task Force, comprising of 22 aircrafts, was based at Bihta, an airfield near Patna. The aircrafts were from 11 Sqn led by Wing Commander Roy who eventually was also the Dakota Force Commander; 43 Sqn led by Wing Commander KC Sharma; 49 Sqn led by Wing Commander M K Rudra; along with Transport Training Wing from Yelahanka led by Wing Commander R. C. Sondhi.

On 11^th. December, 1971, all the 22 Dakotas were flown to Kalaikunda for briefing and launching the operation.

The briefing was conducted by Wing Commander J. K. Seth CO 12 Squadron. It was followed by a short motivational address by Lt. Colonel K. S. Pannu CO of 2 Para. The operation was complex with three types of aircraft flying over the Danger Zone (DZ) at different speeds and different heights. Besides, the unarmed Packets / Dakotas / AN-12s remained inside East Pakistan for a considerable period of time, which was of a historical importance, but by then, The Indian Air Force had gained complete air supremacy over East Pakistan by 08^th. December, 1971.

The Air Plan as briefed was, the Pathfinders would mark the Danger Zone (DZ) enabling the six AN-12s to drop artillery guns and, followed by 20 Packets with lighter vehicles and, RCL guns on jeeps as well as paratroopers, and in the end 22 Dakotas would drop the main body of the Attack Force.

The Expected Time of Attack (ETA) over the Danger Zone (DZ) was given at 16:35 hours which was sunset time for Tangail in East Pakistan. This meant that all the aircrafts, except the Dakotas, would have dropped their cargo in good light conditions. The emergency diversion was at Rampurhat, which was being controlled by the Tactical Air Centre (TAC) from XXXIII Corps at Siliguri. Rampurhat was a World War II airfield, lying abandoned since the war was over.

A veteran of both the Indo-Pak wars of 1965; known as the second Indo-Pak War, and, 1971 which is known to be the third Indo-Pak War; he demonstrated exceptional courage and strategic acumen. During the 1971 operations, he served as the Deputy Task Force Commander for the famous Tangail drop. For his participation in both wars, he received the Sama Seva Medal and the Poorvi Star.

Personal traits:

Air Vice Marshal Rudra was married to Mrs. Bandana Rudra, a homemaker, and they were blessed with three sons — Pronobe, Ashish, and Arun, and a daughter – Ranjana, and grandchildren Arjun, Aditi, and Nikhil.

Bidding Adieu:

Despite maintaining a very healthy lifestyle, he suddenly fell ill in June 2024 and succumbed to his ailments on August 27^th. 2024, after a brief hospitalisation at KIMS, Secunderabad.

“With deep respect, Team Maverick bows to this warriors.”