Sqn Ldr S Singh

Sqn Ldr S Singh is a fighter pilot with the Indian Air Force. Presently posted at the Gwalior base, he surely is in love with his Mirage 2000H. When not with his French beauty, he loves to play squash and relax with a game of snooker.

Know more about his life as a fighter pilot by reading about his daily schedule.

My life in the Air Force moves at a maximum speed of 2495 km/hr (incidentally the speed of Mirage 2000H). I begin my day at 5:00 A.M. and report to the base by 6:00 A.M. with my partner Harinder - called Hawk.

The usual sight of the aircraft ready to take off with missiles and gun arms loaded surely sets my adrenaline pumping. After the briefing, we set out in the open blue skies for our missions.

In fact, few days back Hawk and me were in the middle of an interesting situation. The Radar Controller had noticed an unidentified blip on his scope. We were sent for this mission. Deep in our hearts we both were hoping that it would be an Atlantique or a fighter formation. As we got a go ahead from the mission, like well-oiled machines, we swung into action. On contacting the Radar Controller, we obtained instructions over the radio. He vectored us in a northwest direction, where he was pitching up an unidentified blip on his scope. We spotted him visually at 11 o'clock, 14 km away, flying 10,000 feet above our altitude. He turned out to be a 747, strayed from his hack. What a letdown. We called off the chase after informing the Controller and quickly returned to Base.

Usually, after the day's mission is over, I go home for lunch and a short nap. Evenings are reserved for my game of squash and snooker. Thereafter, I usually hang around in the club with my wife and colleagues.

To me Air Force is not just a career option, but also a way of life that helps me live my life to the fullest. I enjoy every moment I spend here.