New Delhi: Air Marshal Fali H Major, who once rescued 11 people trapped in a cable car hanging hundreds of feet in the air, will be the first helicopter pilot to be the Chief of Indian Air Force.
Major, Air Officer-Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, will take over the post when Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi retires on March 31.
A PTI report says Major is the senior-most Air Marshal in the Air Force and by appointing him the Government has chosen to uphold the principle of seniority. His appointment is significant, as till now only fighter pilots have led the air force.
Major was a chopper pilot when in October 14, 1992 when he took part in a the daring rescue of eleven tourists stranded in a broken down cable car in Timber Trial resort near Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh.
Major flew low and dangerously close to the trapped cable car until the 11 tourists were winced up. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra for this feat.
Major has commanded a helicopter unit at the Siachen glacier, the world's highest battlefield, and a helicopter fleet during the Indian Peace Keeping Force’s operations in Sri Lanka. For his operation in Sri Lanka, he was decorated with the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry.
Major, who was born on May 29, 1947, was commissioned in 1967 and has held various command staff and instructional appointments in his career. He has logged 7,765 flying hours and specialised in jungle and survival courses.
A fellow of the National Defence College and the Army War College, Mhow, Air Marshal Major is also a recipient of the Param Vishist Seva Medal and Ati Vishist Seva medal.
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