President confers Shaurya Chakra to Wing Commander Vernon Desmond Keane for exceptional bravery

New Delhi [India], August 14 : Wing Commander Vernon Desmond Keane, a seasoned fighter pilot, has been honoured with the Shaurya Chakra by the President of India for his exceptional bravery and quick thinking during a perilous situation on July 24, 2023.
This esteemed award acknowledges his extraordinary composure in the face of danger.
Wing Commander Keane, who is part of a frontline fighter squadron, was conducting a routine sortie on a Jaguar fighter aircraft when he encountered an unprecedented emergency. Both the primary and secondary oil systems of the aircraft failed simultaneously, a critical malfunction that had never occurred before and for which there were no established emergency protocols.
While on approach, at an altitude of 2500 feet, the right engine failed catastrophically. The aircraft was now in a powerless glide, losing altitude rapidly and approaching densely populated Gorakhpur town. Since the only serviceable engine had also seized, the situation warranted an immediate ejection.
The pilot while displaying superlative flying skills, controlled the aircraft, turned away to prevent loss of civilian life and property in case of a probable ejection and jettisoned empty fuel tanks clear of populated area.
He simultaneously decided to attempt relight on the left engine and successfully revived it. He then deftly controlled and recovered the aircraft safely off a single engine.
During these multiple life-threatening situations, the officer displayed exceptional courage, perseverance and composure in recovering a gravely stricken aircraft. His undaunted courageous decision to remain with the stricken aircraft while displaying superlative piloting skills and exceptional situational awareness ensured the safety of a valuable national asset and precluded a probable loss of lives and property on ground.