Suryakiran Aerobatic Team's Chandigarh Spectacle Showcases Local Talent
As the Indian Air Force Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, Asia's exclusive nine-aircraft formation, prepares to dominate the skies over Chandigarh on March 27 and 28, the event holds profound personal significance for several team members with deep roots in the Tricity region. This aerial display transcends a mere performance, evolving into a heartfelt homecoming for aviators who began their journeys in this very area.
Wing Commander Tejeshwar Singh: From Awestruck Student to Formation Leader
Wing Commander Tejeshwar Singh, the Deputy Leader of the Suryakiran team, will be piloting one of the aircraft during the Chandigarh show. His aviation passion ignited during his school years at Army Public School, Chandimandir, where a pivotal moment in Class 10 shaped his destiny. "I witnessed a flypast of five Jaguars at an air show and turned to my mother, asking, 'Are these also humans?'" he recalled. "Her response that they were ordinary people like us left an indelible mark on my young mind."
A self-described enthusiast of high-adrenaline activities including bikes, cars, and machinery, Singh found the call to flying irresistible. After joining the National Defence Academy in 2006, his choice of the Air Force was instinctive. "When my father, an Army officer himself, questioned why I preferred the Air Force, I simply replied, 'They have fighters,'" he shared.
Another transformative experience occurred in 2009 during training at Bidar, where he first observed the Suryakiran team's majestic formation takeoff. "The red uniforms, their commanding aura, even their distinctive walk made me wonder, 'Who are these extraordinary people?'" he described. Having previously flown the Sukhoi Su-30MKI as his primary aircraft, Singh now proudly pilots the BAE Hawk Mk 132 as part of that very formation he once admired from afar.
With two tenures in the Suryakiran team—from 2018 to 2021 and again from 2025, currently serving as Flight Commander—Singh emphasizes the lasting impact of this experience. "Tenure here is limited, but the experience defines you," he reflected. Hailing from a military family with his father, Colonel (retired) Bahadur Singh of the Artillery, his ancestral roots trace back to Kartarpur near Jalandhar.
Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu: Ground Coordination with Precision
While Singh commands the skies, Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu, aged 29, masterfully orchestrates the experience on the ground. As the team's commentator and administrator, she ensures seamless narration and coordination that matches the aerial precision. A native of Panchkula, Sandhu comes from a distinguished Army family—her father Colonel Kirpal Singh served in the Artillery, while her mother Brigadier Karamjit Kaur was part of the Military Nursing Service.
"Growing up with both parents in the Army, the armed forces were always integral to my life," she explained. "However, my defining moment arrived later during my professional journey."
An architecture graduate from Manipal Institute of Technology, Sandhu's career trajectory shifted dramatically during the Aero India air show in Bengaluru in 2019. "Observing the Suryakiran team perform up close was transformative," she said. "That experience solidified my desire to become part of this world." She joined the Air Force through the Air Force Common Admission Test in 2019, received her commission in 2020, and officially became part of the Suryakiran team in 2023.
Flight Lieutenant Minal Sharma: Engineering Excellence Behind the Scenes
Supporting the spectacular display from behind the scenes is Flight Lieutenant Minal Sharma, aged 27, who serves as the team's engineering officer. Responsible for maintenance and operational readiness of the aircraft, Sharma ensures every mechanical detail functions flawlessly. Born in Mohali, he maintains a strong Tricity connection and forms a crucial component of the support system that guarantees the air show's smooth execution.
The Chandigarh air show promises not only breathtaking aerobatics but also celebrates the personal stories of dedication, inspiration, and homecoming that define the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team's remarkable members.
