DefenceXP

While the courage of Capt. #SmitMachchhar on the #FlyDubai flight is rightly being hailed worldwide, *another Indian* 🇮🇳 did something equally spectacular in an aviation incident. Cdr Mayank Sharma VSM of @indiannavy had *voluntarily* gone into danger, in hostile territory, in turbulent waters, into a ditched, fuel-laden aircraft in Mogadishu (10 Feb 2026). One Indian saved a plane in the air. Another walked into fuel-soaked wreckage so it wouldn’t kill people on the ground. Both deserve to be known. Let me tell you the story about an amazing naval officer. This is a story that needs to be told. Cdr Mayank Sharma was recently commended by the United Nations for “remarkable courage” and “technical expertise, calm leadership under pressure, and willingness to assume personal risk” (see commendation letter below). Mayank is a Marine Commando, a serial-innovator (with 20+ patents and counting to his name) & holds *at least* three national records (that I am aware of, might even be more now). Some of you may remember the Indian Navy filing a patent for the ‘Aadyant’ Oxygen Recycling System during the COVID crisis. The inventor behind it? Cdr Mayank. Some may also remember Niti Aayog coordinating trials on medical devices a few years later. The innovator behind it? Cdr Mayank. When I was OiC #TDAC, handling innovation for the Navy, I remember the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri @rajnathsingh inviting Cdr Mayank to his house as he wanted to hear first hand & at length about the sheer number of operational innovations being undertaken by Mayank. I was also directed by the then #CNS @Kbsingh03 to take Mayank to the Deputy NSA with some truly radical innovative ideas. When the Services decided to showcase in-house innovations to the Hon’ble PM @narendramodi during the Combined Commanders’ Conference (first done at the CCC at Kevadia, Gujarat, this subsequently became a part of CCC), Mayank (then a young Lt Cdr) was by my side as I conducted the briefing. He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal while still a lieutenant commander. That’s Cdr Mayank Sharma for you. A man for all seasons. Brains when they are needed. Brawn when that’s the call. Super intelligent, superbly fit, always balanced, always composed. ‘Courage’ in a #MARCO is a given. He has displayed it again & again. He displayed it yet again at Mogadishu this year while posted as the Senior Maritime Military Advisor to the UN. His job description did not require diving skills or salvage expertise. He did it anyway…as lives were at stake. He not only “ensured the safe removal of pressurized oxygen cylinders and fire-suppression systems, both of which presented substantial ignition and explosion risks” but also took effective charge of the situation in an international rescue. He volunteered to go outside the UN designated safe “green zone”, right into the conflict zone. The UN letter said this “exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, bravery, and commitment to United Nations values”. Take a bow, Mayank. I hope many more people, especially #GenZ get to hear your story and are inspired by it. @cdf_23 @alpha_defense @AadiAchint @ShivAroor @Neetivaan @mountain_rats @rajnishkansal @abhilashtomy