Book Review – Reflections of an Air Warrior

"Reflections of an Air warrior" furnishes a clear perspective, of the three crucial and important areas that cover the entire gamut of an air warrior's career involving Flight Safety & Operations, Leadership and Air Power. By sharing his varied experiences in the field in a forthright, clear & comprehensive style, and asserting & communicating his opinion on issues that range from fundamental & elementary flight safety issues, ethics, ethos and values in Military Leadership to Strategic Air Power. The writer reiterates that Command of a squadron, be it a fighter, helicopter, transport missile or radar, is probably a period of reckoning and transition for any professional in the IAF. He is confident that this book will be of great value addition to the future Commanding Officers and flight commanders in the offing. In fact, the varied variety & choice of subjects with a 'people & leadership essence' makes this book vulnerable & accessible to masses from all cadres & walks of life.

The author of this book, Group Captain Arjun Subramaniam was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1981. He is an alumnus of the Rashriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and the National defence Academy. An experienced fighter pilot with over 3000 hours on various types of fighter aircraft that includes two variants of the Mig - 21 and the Mirage - 2000, he is a qualified Flying Instructor and has commanded a Mig - 21 Squadron. He has also been the Chief Operations Officer of a SU-30 base and a senior faculty member at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He is presently commanding Air Force Station, Hindon.

 The author has ensured that by publishing a simple yet professional book even a layman could read with considerable comfort. Apparently, the contents caters  to service matters only, yet the time has come to expose and pen down for all those in uniform, with phenomenal experience and the inclination to call a spade a spade. It is people like the author who will one day facilitate the cleaning away of the cobwebs of secrecy and undue interference by our politicians, bureaucrats who often do not want the true facts to be unearthed & exposed.

Air Force Officers and all aviation people would find the Book useful and is recommended for all, who have an 'air mind'. The author's endeavour is sure to encourage and stimulate others to come forward as well to share their experiences with all frankness.

The book is a collation of some of the authors' best and relevant pieces which have been published earlier in professional military and safety journals and offers the readers an interesting and critical look at operations, safety and life in the IAF along with leadership issues and dilemmas. He has demonstrated through his writings forthrightness and focus on overall improvement of the service. One may not always agree with his opinion but debate is always a good idea.

 Gp Capt Subramaniam has composed a humorous, factual and practical booklet for aspiring and fledgling air warriors. It highlights on the repercussions and aftermaths if individuals try to take short cuts, especially at the cost of their basic needs. The author advises wisely to over striving go-getters (this handful category you will come across in all service or civil set ups.) that, "Not to have any self manifested interests & should be transparent in the system." The author's suggestions to the combat heroes is not to commit to something which they can't offer, rather they should offer the ethics ethos, values & traditions which are paramount and integral part of any organization.

To be empathetic & experience the agony suffered by others is paramount as a leader especially in the prevalent conflicts, where a unit may often suffer casualties.  He mentions about the prevailing Chinese & Singapore defence system  where all male citizens on reaching the age of 18 are eligible for compulsory military service. He believes that a similar system should also be emulated by Indian government for the unemployed youth of the country. This is the need of an hour seeing the ever multiplying population.

This book highlights and focuses primarily on the prevailing security milieu in the service & country.  It is not biased or restricted to a particular strata & section of society and therefore captures the interest of men in uniform & civil populace.