A Life of Service, Courage, and Legacy
My late grand uncle, Trevor Joseph Fernandez, was a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force. Fondly known by his nickname “Bull” in the Indian Air Force, he was born to Edward and Ella Fernandez. He followed in the footsteps of both his elder brothers—Stanislaus Fernandez (my grandfather), who served in the Indian Navy as a Commander, and Herman Fernandez, who also served in the Indian Army as a Colonel.
Trevor Fernandes was involved in Operation Vijay (1961), the military operation undertaken to liberate Goa from Portuguese colonial rule. At the time, he was a young Flight Lieutenant stationed at an airbase in Punjab and was instructed to proceed to Pune for the takeover of Goa. As a member of the Flying Hunters of No. 7 Squadron, he was tasked with destroying the powerful transmitter of Radio Goa (Emissora de Goa) at Bambolim. He successfully carried out the mission at 0710 hours, while the programme “Alvorada Musicala,” which had begun at 0700 hours, was still on air.
He was subsequently instructed to escort bombers targeting the Dabolim runway. During the mission, he noticed the tail of a Super Constellation aircraft protruding from a hangar at Dabolim. He sought permission from Tactical Air HQ to target the tail in order to immobilize the aircraft. This request was declined due to the risk of civilian casualties.
(That Super Constellation of Transportes Aéreos da Índia Portuguesa, piloted by Lt Col Solano de Almeida of the Portuguese Air Force from Lages Air Force Base in the Azores—on deputation to TAIP—along with a DC-4 Skymaster of TAP, piloted by Capt Reis, daringly took off from the bombed runway after it was secretly repaired overnight by the Portuguese.)
He thus participated in the liberation by initiating air operations through bombing of the runways. A Goan by origin (from Pilerne/Siolim), he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1956, and his role in the air attacks marked a significant local contribution to India’s Operation Vijay.
Group Captain Fernandes was associated with the Gnat aircraft from 1962 onwards and was an active fighter pilot during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
| Vayu Sena Medal | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sqn Ldr | Trevor Joseph Fernandes | 5287 F(P) | Award Date | Announced 26 Jan 1971 |
| Details : | Squadron Leader Trevor Joseph Fernandez has been associated with Gnat aircraft since September 1962. He has over 1,900 hours of accident-free flying experience, including more than 700 hours on the Gnat. During the IndiaPakistan conflict of 1965, he flew a number of operational sorties. He is an experienced Pilot Attack Instructor and has had great success in training pilots of his unit in gunnery. As a result of the excellent training imparted by him the aircrew trained by him secured high places in the Command Gunnery Meets.Throughout, Squadron Leader Trevor Joseph Fernandez displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty, | |||
| Unit : 26 Sqn | ||||
| Reference : Gazette of India dated 4th September 1971 – No.53 – Pres/71 dated 26th January 1971 | ||||
| Bar to Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sqn Ldr | Trevor Joseph Fernandes | 5287 F(P) | Award Date | Announced 26 Jan 1972 |
| Details : | During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Trevor Joseph Fernandez was the Flight Commander of a Fighter Bomber Squadron. He flew fourteen operations missions in support of our ground forces and was responsible for the destruction of one tank, four vehicles and one enemy gun position He successfully attacked the Sulemanki Head Works scoring direct bomb hits which contributed significantly in halting the enemy Armour. In addition, he also successfully bombed Zaffarwal and Norowal Railway yards and attacked the Radar Unit at Walton.Throughout, Squadron Leader Trevor Joseph Fernandez displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty. | |||
| Unit : 26 Sqn | ||||
| Reference : Gazette of India dated 7th October, 1972 – No.09 – Pres/72 dated 23rd September 1972 | ||||
On one occasion, his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire, yet he daringly flew it back and landed safely. He was later deputed on a pilot training mission to the Iraqi Air Force. He went on to serve as Commanding Officer at the Bhuj airbase, Director of Operations at Southern Air Command, and held several other key assignments.
An intelligent and capable officer, he was promoted to Group Captain in 1981 and retired in 1992.
He passed away from this world on the 15th of January 2023. He is survived by his wife Elsie Fernandez, his son Dr. Bruce Fernandez(presently a Major General in the Indian Armed Forces) and his daughter Mrs. Ursula Fernandez.
We salute such men of courage and bravery.
Sources:
https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/5287
https://www.geni.com/people/Trevor-Joseph-Fernandes-Wing-Commander/6000000024238494957
https://www.facebook.com/groups/goaspeaks1/posts/546910593271441
https://www.facebook.com/groups/goenchoavaz/posts/25654295750850333