Cecil Vivian Parker

Air Vice Marshal Cecil Vivian Parker, MVC, VM is a former air officer of the Indian Air Force. During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry Award. He last served as the Commandant of the Air Force Academy.

For the actor, see Cecil Parker.

Air Vice Marshal

Cecil Vivian Parker

MVC VM
BornSecunderabad, India
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Air Force
Rank Air Vice Marshal
UnitNo. 20 Squadron IAF "Lightnings"
Commands heldNo. 20 Squadron IAF "Lightnings"
8 Wing IAF
Battles/wars
Awards Maha Vir Chakra[1]
Vayu Sena Medal

Early life

Parker was born in Secunderabad, India to P. R. Parker and E. S. Parker.

Military career

Parker was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 31 Aug 1952.[2] After joining the Indian Air Force, he saw action in both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan Wars.

In October 1966, as Wing Commander, he formed an operational training unit and was the Unit's first Commanding Officer. Here, he implemented a high level of instructional technique, standardisation and ensured a high quality of training for the pupils that passed through the unit, for which he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal.[2]

Indo-Pak War of 1971

During the 1971 war, as commanding officer of the No. 20 Squadron IAF, a fighter bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Hunter aircraft. He also led a number of deep penetration missions into Pakistani territory attacking heavily defended targets including Pakistani airfields, oil refineries and in support of Army operations. On one of the missions, his formation was attacked by Pakistani F-86 Sabre aircraft. In the ensuing air fight, Wing Commander Parker shot down one Sabre and heavily damaged another. During another strike mission, Wing Commander Parker attacked an oil refinery at Attock, Pakistan, in the face of intense anti-aircraft and small arms fire, causing serious damage to the refinery. For bravery and leadership displayed in combat missions, Wing Commander Parker was awarded the Mahavir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award.[2]

Wing Commander Parker led what was later called the greatest IAF air strike and acknowledged by a Pakistani Air Force officer, Air Commodore, M. Kaiser Tufail (retd), in his book 'In the Ring and on Its Feet'. In the book, he said the Indian Hunter aircraft destroyed five Pakistani F-86 Sabre jets during the raid on its airbase at Murid. The F86 was the Pakistan Air Force's premiere aircraft and the single-biggest challenge for the IAF in air battles in the 1965 and 1971 wars.[3]

Maha Vir Chakra Citation

The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows:[4][5]

Gazette Notification: 20 Pres/72,12-2-72

Operation: 1971 Date of Award: 15 December 1971

CITATION

WING COMMANDER CECIL VIVIAN PARKER, VM

(4346) FLYING (PILOT)

Wing Commander C. V. Parker, the officer commanding of a fighter-bomber squadron, led many deep penetration missions into enemy-held territory attacking strongly defended targets. While returning from one such mission his formation was attacked by enemy Sabre aircraft. In the ensuing fight, Wing Commander Parker shot one Sabre and heavily damaged another. In another mission, Wing Commander Parker attacked the enemy oil refinery at Attock in the face of intense anti-aircraft and small arms fire and caused serious damage to it.

Throughout the operations, Wing Commander Parker displayed conspicuous gallantry and outstanding leadership.

Post-war career

During his career in the IAF spanning 35 years, he created a record of flying 22 types of aircraft and logged 3,850 flying hours.

Parker later rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal in July 1983, before retiring on 31 Aug 1986.[2]

Writing

Parker wrote a book, AIRLOOMS – Random Recollections of an Ancient Aviator.[6]

References
  1. "WING COMMANDER CECIL VIVIAN PARKER". Indian Army, Govt of India official website.
  2. "Air Vice Marshal Cecil Vivian Parker". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. Suares, Coreena (28 January 2018). "Lightning Squadron shines in Pakistan after 47 years". Deccan Chronicle.
  4. "Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: AVM Cecil Vivian Parker, MVC, VM (retd) @ TWDI". twdi.in.
  5. "Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.gallantryawards.gov.in.
  6. Digital, Freedom First (13 November 2015). "AIRLOOMS – Random Recollections of an Ancient Aviator". Freedom First. Retrieved 30 May 2020. Sanbun Publishers, New Delhi. Year of publication 2014
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