Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja Meets Suryakiran Team, Reviews Aviation Medicine and Flight Safety
Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja met the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team in New Delhi on September 20, 2026, in an interaction centred on aviation medicine, medical preparedness and the physical fitness required for high-performance military flying.
The meeting brought attention to the demanding physiological conditions faced by pilots who perform complex aerial manoeuvres. According to the discussion, aerobatic flying places heavy physical and mental strain on aircrew, making medical readiness an essential part of flight safety and operational effectiveness.
Air Marshal Thareja appreciated the professionalism, precision and teamwork displayed by the Suryakiran team. He also noted the squadron’s three decades of showcasing the Indian Air Force’s flying skills under its motto, “Sadaiva Sarvottam.”
The interaction placed particular emphasis on the need for stringent fitness standards and close medical monitoring to ensure that pilots remain ready for demanding missions. In high-performance flying, the source noted, aviation medicine helps address the stresses associated with rapid manoeuvres and the intense conditions experienced in the air.
Regular assessment of aircrew fitness and wider medical preparedness were highlighted as key factors in allowing pilots to carry out advanced flying tasks while maintaining safety standards. The focus was not only on individual pilot health, but also on sustaining the overall readiness of the flying formation.
The engagement also reflected the broader responsibilities of the Armed Forces Medical Services, which supports personnel across the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. From soldiers on land to sailors at sea and aircrew undertaking demanding aerial missions, the AFMS provides medical support aimed at protecting personnel, strengthening human performance and maintaining health and fitness across the services.
In the context of the Suryakiran team, that role becomes especially relevant. The formation is among the Indian Air Force’s most visible public-facing units and is known for coordinated formation flying and aerobatic displays that demand precision, discipline and close teamwork. Its three-decade journey, as noted during the interaction, reflects the training standards required to sustain such flying at a high level.
The meeting underlined the link between aviation medicine and operational flying in settings where physical resilience, rapid decision-making and teamwork are essential. For a team built around complex manoeuvres and exacting flying standards, the medical dimension remains a critical part of maintaining performance and safety.
