13 BRD – A Golden Legacy of 50 Glorious Years

The journey of 13 BRD over the past five decades has been one of steady growth, transformation and dedicated service to the Indian Air Force. From its earlier avatars, the Depot has evolved into a centre of technical excellence, keeping pace with the changing needs of the IAF. As it celebrates its Golden Jubilee, it is an occasion to look back with pride at the achievements and contributions of all those who have built this institution over the years.

During my early years in a fighter squadron, I remember looking with great admiration at the officers posted to RCPO and its installation units – the RSIUs and CSIUs. Their professionalism was something we all looked up to. The same high standards were evident in AMSF/CESCAL, which was later established to provide Standards/ Calibration and Maintenance support to the installed units.

With its renaming and reorganisation as AMSE, and eventually as 13 BRD, the organisation took on a much wider range of responsibilities to meet the evolving needs of the IAF. It has, however, retained the discipline, professional excellence and commitment to service that were the hallmarks of its predecessors.

I feel fortunate to have witnessed this journey from AMSF/CESCAL to AMSE and finally to 13 BRD. I even had a small role to play in the process, through some file-pushing during the renaming exercise!

As PDGL, I was tasked with initiating proposals for renaming the Maintenance Command units as BRDs. The units being considered included 17 SU, AMSE, RAME (Wadsar and Gauhati) and PRD. Keen to preserve the identity and legacy of 17 SU, I suggested, in my limited wisdom, that it retain its original number as 17 BRD, while AMSE could be designated as 12 BRD, leaving the much-discussed number 13 unused.

However, the Directorate of Plans had other ideas and preferred a sequential numbering system beginning with 12. As a result, AMSE became 13 BRD.

As things turned out, the number 13 proved to be anything but unlucky! Never one to be influenced by superstition, 13 BRD has faced every challenge head-on. In a recent interaction, the present AOC even told me that the number 13 had been lucky for them, and thanks to the excellent work of his team, he was scheduled to shortly move out on promotion!

While the Depot has had several distinguished commanders, I particularly remember some highly motivated middle-level officers who were always ready to go beyond the call of duty. Their enthusiasm and commitment often made up for the lack of even basic administrative facilities. A few incidents from those days are worth recalling.

Sqn Ldr RS Jassal – the unassuming professional. During my tenure as Oi/c Powerhouse at Gurushikhar, we faced a major unserviceability of our DG sets, which were critical for the round-the-clock functioning of our air defence communication hub. Following a call by the CO to Delhi, Sqn Ldr RS Jassal, accompanied by a Warrant Officer, arrived the very next day. They carried just a small handbag each with an overall and a change of clothes, having travelled at short notice without railway reservations. Nothing seemed to deter them. Their only concern was to get the job done. One wonders whether they ever went back and told the CO how they had managed to reach every remote unit! The repair was completed, normalcy restored, and our two visitors quietly disappeared – almost like angels!

Sqn Ldr LN Rao – A Lesson in Technical Excellence. Another incident that remains fresh in my memory was the visit of Sqn Ldr LN Rao, also from AMSF/CESCAL, to rectify a software bug in our System Performance Monitoring System. The software, written in BASIC, was among the IAF's early efforts at applying computing to technical systems, beyond the initial use of software for inventory management. I was amazed at how quickly he identified the problem, corrected it and explained the solution to us. He inspired many of us to work harder towards pursuing M Tech in Computer Science.

The other side of service life. There were hardships too. Although the unit was located at Palam, officers were not entitled to married accommodation at the Station. All of them had to manage with reimbursed or MEO-acquired accommodation. Finding rented accommodation on HRA was certainly not as easy as it is today. The AMSE Married accommodation was approved much later, nearly two decades on. The present generation should remember that the relatively comfortable facilities available today have come after considerable sacrifices by their predecessors.

My occasional interactions with today's officers and their inspiring AOC have been very heartening. Their enthusiasm and professional approach give me every confidence that the present generation will take the organisation to even greater heights. I am sure they will surpass us!

As 13 BRD completes 50 glorious years, it is worth remembering that its real strength lies in the people who have served it, the traditions they have built and the spirit with which they have overcome challenges.

Wishing the entire 13 BRD fraternity a grand and memorable Golden Jubilee celebration, and many more years of professional excellence and glorious achievements in the service of the IAF and the nation!

Air Mshl PV Athawale

 

The Icons

    The Air Force Association (AFA) has, since its inception, played a significant role in commemorating and honouring the icons of the Indian Air Force. For many years it organised annual memorial lectures for Air Chief Marshal PC Lal, Air Chief Marshal LM Katre, and Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon. In 2025, the Association added a memorial lecture in honour of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh. With the generous support of the IAF leadership, four more lectures have now been instituted to honour Air Commodore (Baba) Mehar Singh, Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, Air Chief Marshal IH Latif, and Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh.

    Each lecture features an eminent speaker on a subject of contemporary relevance while also introducing the audience to the life and leadership of an iconic air warrior. The combination of professional insight and historical perspective makes these events both intellectually enriching and deeply inspiring.

    I had the privilege of attending the recent memorial lectures dedicated to Air Chief Marshal IH Latif and Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh. An aviation historian, Mr. K. Sree Kumar introduced the two icons at both the events. He skilfully connected their lives through an anecdote narrated to him by the late Air Chief Marshal Latif himself.

    Young Pilot Officer Latif's aircraft had been damaged on ground during a ferry flight through no fault of his own. Harjinder Singh’s team worked through the night to repair it. Years later, recalling the incident, Air Chief Marshal Latif remarked, "That’s incredible, we were living like one big family!" That young Pilot Officer eventually became Chief of the Air Staff, yet throughout his career he continued to treat thousands of air warriors as members of that same family. His leadership reflected both professional excellence and genuine concern for his people.

    Air Commodore Jasjit Singh once observed, "The pilot-engineer bond of trust is the most visible reflection of the height of morale in the Air Force". Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh exemplified that bond throughout his life.

    Most of us had never met AVM Harjinder Singh, and only a few had served under Air Chief Marshal Latif. Yet one lesson stood out clearly: great leaders are not shaped from a single mould. Harjinder Singh's commanding personality contrasted with Latif's quiet and natural style, but both inspired trust and respect because they shared sincerity of purpose and unwavering commitment to the Service.

    The veterans present were delighted to honour these icons, but it was equally satisfying to witness the pride on the faces of serving men and women after hearing their stories. Leadership and example possess a timeless quality.

    Stories of our pioneers remain powerful tools for shaping the mindset, values, and resilience of future generations. Their importance lies not in portraying them as flawless heroes, but in showing how they overcame challenges, made difficult decisions, and upheld their principles under pressure.

    Memorial lectures are valuable reminders of these enduring examples. However, they require considerable effort and resources, and only a limited number of personalities can be honoured in this manner. This raises an interesting possibility. The Air Force has produced inspiring leaders at every rank - from Air Chiefs to Warrant Officers and erstwhile Flight Sergeants. Could local veterans be invited more frequently to stations to share their experiences with young air warriors? Like grandparents recounting family history, they can pass on traditions, values, and lessons that no textbook can fully capture.

    Exceptional achievements rarely result from dramatic moments alone. They are built through quiet dedication, consistent effort, and steadfast commitment to duty. Every air warrior should recognise that leadership and greatness emerge through everyday actions. The icons we celebrate were once ordinary individuals who performed their responsibilities with extraordinary commitment. Their stories remind us that every member of the Indian Air Force has the potential to become an example worthy of future generations.

Jai Hind !

Air Mshl PV Athawale