Air V/Mshl Erlic W Pinto, M-in-D, PVSM

Air V/Mshl Erlic W Pinto was, in 1961, the AOC-in-C of the then unified Operational Command of the IAF responsible for the conduct of air ops throughout India. Citation: During the ops in Goa, Air V/Mshl Pinto was AOC-in-C, Operational Command for overall conduct of air ops. His directive was to assist the land forces in the attainment of their objective with the use of minimum force. The risk of casualties to the civil population in air ops was inherent. As a result of meticulous planning by Air V/Mshl Pinto and efficient coordination, the air ops in the three enclaves were carried out most successfully.

"With the outbreak of the Chinese histilities in 1962, the air operational commitments assumed vast proportions in J&K area as the land forces were largely dependant upon the Air Force for supplies, ammunitions and evacuation of casualties. The resources at Air V/Mshl Pinto's disposal remained unaltered. However, he faced the situation with his usual calm and reorganized the units under his command to undertake the intensive logistic support required.

"To infuse confidence in his officers and men, he led many difficult airlift missions with complete disregard to his personal safety. The first landing at a foward outpost entailed the use of a riverbed which is the highest 'airstrip' in the world. In spite of the hazards involved, Air V/Mshl Pinto decided to proceed on this flight himself to check operating conditions there. As AOC-in-C, Op Command, Air V/Mshl Pinto all along displayed initiative, drive and leadership of a very high order." [Notification No. 13-Pres/62 dated 26 Jan 1964 published in Part I, Section I, Gazette of India dated 01 Feb 1964.]

Com. 01 Aug 1940, Air V/Mshl Pinto was India's first Air Adviser in London. Those who knew him describe him as a flyer of repute and an exceptionally brilliant officer. The IAF was those days dogged with regional lobbies like the Sikh and the Maharashtrian, which shunned, in particular, Goan Catholic and Anglo-Indian officers in matters like promotion, foreign assignments and awards/decorations.

It was said that no officer from those lobbies could match Air V/Mshl Pinto's IQ, much less his qualities of heart. When the unified IAF Operational Command was decentralized, he was AOC-in-C, Western Air Command from 01 Jun 1963 and was clearly in line for the job of Chief of Air Staff. The parameter of age also favoured him. He would be the first Goan to head a wing of India's three defence services, but fate willed otherwise.

He died in a Chetak chopper of the IAF's 107HU squadron piloted by Flt Lt SS Sodhi that crashed over the Poonch River in J&K on 22 Nov 1963. Also killed in that crash were top Army officers like Lt Gen Daulat Singh (GOC-in-C, Western Command), LT Gen Bikram Singh (GOC, XV Corps) and Lt Gen Rustom K Nanavati. The loss of so many senior officers in an accident raised suspicions, but the Court of Inquiry ruled out sabotage and held that the helicopter accidentally hit electric wires and crashed.

Air V/Mshl Pinto was the senior most Goan IAF officer to die on service. the Goa airport road was fittingly named after him - but alas, today bereft of his road name signage. The road was proposed for widening by the state Public Works Department and prior to execution of the widening work, all road signage was removed to facilitate the widening. On completion of the widening work, directional boards to hotels, housing colonies and sundry establishments were re-erected - but not the road name board that helped remind the passer-by of this departed gallant Goan, even after the matter was brought to the notice of the PWD Minister and the Goa Chief Minister.

Air V/Mshl Pinto belonged to a brood of three brothers, each of who joined each of India's three defence services. The two other brothers were RAdm DRF Pinto (short for Fausto Pinto do Rosario) and Capt (Dr) Norman Pinto (do Rosario). From Porvorim-Socorro.


Source: Pages 159-161