Bhupinder Singh Nijjar received his “flying wings” and was commissioned into the IAF in December 1994. His operational flying experience as a helicopter pilot extends from the high seas of “Bombay High” and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to the tropical jungles of the northeast and high-altitude regions of Ladakh. He has been one of the few fortunate helicopter pilots to have flown the mighty Mi-26 helicopter in an operational role. His posting to an operational missile squadron as well as the experience gained during a tenure as the senior aerospace safety and inspection officer of an operational flying base–operating a mix of fighter, helicopter and transport aircraft–also contributed to his skill set. An avid reader and follower of military history, he is presently working as a research fellow with the Centre for Air Power Studies.