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
