Air
Marshal KC Cariappa (retd) was
commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1957 and posted to No. 20 Squadron
where he served for six years. He graduated as a Flying Instructor from the
Flying Instructor School in Chennai in November 1963 and served at the Pilots
Training Establishment in Allahabad till the outbreak of the 1965 war against
Pakistan. On 22 September 1965 he was shot down while carrying out attacks on
enemy positions and taken Prisoner of War. He remained in captivity till 22
January 1966. He participated in the Bangladesh War of Independence. For his
gallantry he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal. After the war he reverted to
flying fighter aircraft. In 1976 he was appointed to command No. 8 Squadron,
one of the oldest in the Indian Air Force. In January 1995 he was awarded the
Param Vishist Seva Medal by the President of India for his distinguished
services to the Indian Air Force. He retired in January 1996. His hobbies
include trekking, angling and involvement with wildlife and environmental
activities. He was President of the Coorg Wildlife Society for four years. A
keen student of international and military affairs, he has written articles for
journals and newspapers on matters pertaining to his interests.
