"Befitting farewell": Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla recalls time spent in MiG-21 as fighter jet decommissioned

Chandigarh [India], September 26 (ANI): Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Friday said that the final farewell for the MiG21 was a befitting and dignified one and that he has fond memories of the iconic fighter aircraft with whom he had spent a "considerable amount of time."
The astronaut was among those who witnessed the final flight of the iconic fighter jet at the Chandigarh Air Force base today.
Speaking to ANI, Shukla said "I am happy to be here... I have spent a lot of time here and have a lot of memories here...it holds a major memory in my heart."
"I am feeling fantastic today. I spent a considerable amount of time with the MiG-21 and cherish many fond memories of it. I'm so glad to be here today, seeing the aircraft I grew up with once more. Its final farewell was a befitting, dignified ceremony, very well organised. It was also wonderful to reconnect with all my old comrades..." he said.
Shukla had flown the MiG-21 during his early years as an Air Force pilot before his selection to be an astronaut
Inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1963, the MiG-21 concludes its remarkable 63 years of service today.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the legendary combat jet and recalled its contributions in various conflicts ranging from the 1971 war to the Kargil conflict, and from the Balakot airstrike to Operation Sindoor. He hailed it a tremendous strength for India's armed forces.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh led the last sortie of the MiG-21 today as the legendary aircraft fleet was officially decommissioned today.
The MiG-21s flew in the Badal formation of three aircraft in an inverted 'V' configuration. BAe Hawk Mk132 aircraft of the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran Acrobatics team performed manoeuvres during the decommissioning ceremony.
Following a water cannon salute, in a symbolic gesture, the Air Chief handed over the aircraft's Form 700 logbook to the Raksha Mantri, marking the end of an era.
After the final sortie and Form 700 handover, Rajnath Singh addressed the ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force Station.
Singh said that the MiG-21 has witnessed many heroic deeds over the years and has played an important role in multiple wars and missions.
Addressing the decommissioning ceremony of MiG-21, Rajnath Singh said, "For a long time, MiG-21 has been a witness to numerous heroic deeds. Its contribution has not been limited to a single event or a single war. From the war of 1971 to the Kargil conflict, or from the Balakot airstrike to Operation Sindoor, there has not been a moment when the MiG-21 has not provided tremendous strength to our armed forces..."
Defence Minister said that the MiG-21 is not just an aircraft but also a symbol of the strong relationship between India and Russia. "MiG-21 is not merely an aircraft, it is a testimony of India-Russia relations," Singh said.
Singh remembered the MiG-21's important role during the 1971 war, including its attack on the Governor's House in Dhaka.
He called its retirement a farewell to a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and national pride.
"Who can forget the 1971 war. During the war with Pakistan, in adverse circumstances, the MiG-21 attacked the Governor's House in Dhaka, and on that very day, it outlined the result of that war. Besides this, in its long history, there have been many such occasions when the MiG-21 proved its decisive capacity. Whenever there have been historic missions, every time the MiG-21 has enhanced the honour of the tricolour. Therefore, this farewell is also of our collective memories, of our national pride, and of that journey in which the story of courage, sacrifice, and excellence has been written," Singh said. (ANI)