Govt reveals how C-17 aircraft airdropped 18 commandos near Somali coast to capture a pirate-controlled ship in 10-hr mission

Wing Commander Akshay Saxena, commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in June 2006, was posted with the C-17 squadron in February 2021.

On the eve of Republic Day, the government conferred Saxena with the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) "for his act of indomitable courage and conspicuous gallantry".

Sharing the details of the mission, the Defence Ministry said Wing Commander Saxena finalised suitable crew and ensured aircraft readiness for a quick launch due to the time-critical and secrecy of the same.

The mission involved a threat of small arms with the pirates over and above the extended mission timelines which involved flying into the airspace of another country undeclared and undetected for close to four hours, the Defence Ministry said.

The mission was carried out on March 16, 2024, as a part of the anti-piracy Operation Sankalp in the Arabian Sea.

Wing Commander Saxena airdropped two combat rubberised raiding craft (CRRC) boats and a team of 18 MARCOs with combat load to capture a pirate-controlled ship, which was not only launching attacks on merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea, but also opened fire at INS Kolkata and had shot down a naval spotter drone on March 15, 2024, the Defence Ministry said.

MARCOs are the special forces of the Indian Navy.

The mission was carried out near the Somalian coast, 1,450 nautical miles (NM) and 540 NMs out of the Indian flight information region.

Wing Commander Saxena decided to switch off all emitters, fly the C-17 aircraft at a low level over high seas in foreign territory and drop at dusk time to avoid detection, the Defence Ministry said.

Even after receiving a changed drop location only 50 NMs before the drop, he guided the crew to safely execute a precision airdrop, thus resulting in the capture of the pirates and rescue of MV Ruen with its 17-member crew.

During the flawless execution of the extremely gruelling mission, the officer displayed exceptional courage, dynamic leadership, outstanding professionalism and steadfast determination, the Defence Ministry said.