Some men are born to greatness. Others carve their part to it. Subroto Mukerjee was one of the latter category who paved the way to his own tryst with destiny and laid the foundations of India's Air Force in the process. The story of his life is one of determination, dedication and total commitment to the cause of the service that he guided from its inception till its transformation into the Air Arm of independent India. In the early 1930's, when the British government in India could no longer ignore the growing demands of the Indian people for greater representation in the higher ranks of the defence services, it grudgingly began the process of 'Indianisation' of the services. As a result, the Indian Air Force (IAF) came into being on 08 October 1932. While the older services were marked for partial Indianisation, the IAF became the first truly Indian service, as only Indians could be granted commission or enrolled in it's ranks. In those early days, a career in the Air Force was an uncharted path for Indians, made all the more difficult by the prevailing discriminatory and obstructive mindset of the majority of the British in India who were extremely sceptical of the ability of the 'natives' to fly military aeroplanes. Subroto was one of the six Indians selected for training as pilots at the RAF College, Cranwell. The date of commission of this small pioneering band coincided with the date of formation of the Indian Air Force. Over the next twenty eight years, Subroto was to lead the fledgling service through it's trials and tribulations, taking it from strength to strength, till it was ready to take it's place amongst the leading Air Forces of the world. Tragically, Subroto Mukerjee's brilliant career was cut short in its prime in 1960. Yet, his legacy lives on, and forms the cornerstone of the hallowed traditions of the service whose very foundations he laid, and whose edifice he built in the early years of its history.

It was under the able leadership of Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal, that the Indian Air Force won its most decisive victory in 1971. Paradoxically, unlike the earlier Chiefs, Lal was no fighter jock. He was an instructor and a manager, par excellence. His contirbution to India's aviation industry via tenures with the Indian Airlines Corp. and Hindustan Aeronautics bear testament to his professional abilities. He was just the sort of chap who could, and did, mould a lagre and rapidly expanding air force into and efficient fighting force.

Air Commodore Mehar Singh MVC DSO, affectionately called 'Baba' Mehar Singh by his associates and admirers in Indian Air Force, was a legendary pilot and a flying prodigy . His exploits with the flying machines are well known and much celebrated. He was a born leader of men and a team man who always led from the front. Mehar Singh was immensely successful in earning respect of men he commanded by his bravery , daring feats and brilliantleadership. He was a role model for the young fliers in the IAF. The legend of Baba Mehar Singh is replete with splendid examples of professionalism dedication, devotion to duty , courage and commitment indeed true characteristics of an ideal Air Warrior .

The story of Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh is the story of the birth and growth of Indian Air Force in its early days, for he had joined the IAF as a Hawai Sepoy , the first to join IAF on its formation and rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal to command the Maintenance Command of IAF . His span of service covers aperiod of thirty-two years: from the formation of the infant Indian Air Force in 1932 to the early sixties. A long and distinguished career is recaptured here, in this portrayal ofa daring and self-confident Air Warrior .

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was a pilot of a Gnat detachment based at Srinagar for the Air Defence of the valley against Pakistani air attacks. From the very outbreak of the hostilities he and his colleagues fought the successive waves of intruding Pakistani aircraft with valour and determination, maintaining high reputation of the Gnat aircraft. On 14th December, 1971 Srinagar airfield was attacked by a wave of six enemy Sabre aircraft. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at the time. Immediately, however, no fewer than six enemy aircraft were overhead, and they began bombing and strafing the airfield. In spite of the mortal danger of attempting to take off during the attack, Flying Officer Sekhon took off immediately and engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres. In the fight that ensued, he secured hits on one aircraft and set another on fire. By this time the other Sabre aircraft came to the aid of their hard pressed companions and Flying Officer Sekhon’s Gnat was again outnumbered, this time by four to one. Even though alone Flying Officer Sekhon engaged the enemy in an unequal combat. In the fight that followed, at tree top height, he almost held his own, but was eventually overcome by sheer weight of numbers. His aircraft crashed and he was killed. The sublime heroism, supreme gallantry, flying skill and determination above and beyond the call of duty displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon in the face of certain death, have set new heights to Air Force tradition.