Salam Fauji:Sqn Ldr Ivan Rodrigues

From Susegad to Supersonic: The Journey of Sqn Ldr Ivan Rodrigues

By John Aguiar

In the coastal town of Margao, Goa, life usually moves at a rhythmic, relaxed pace often described as susegad. For a young Ivan Rodrigues, born into a family of business owners with no military lineage, the path seemed destined for the familiar. Yet, a single question on a recruitment board in Bangalore changed the trajectory of his life forever: "Do you have it in you?"

Today, Squadron Leader Ivan Rodrigues (Retd.) stands as a testament to the fact that soldiers aren't just born; they are forged through an uncompromising process of physical and mental grooming.

It is inspiring to see a focus on the career of an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer like Squadron Leader Ivan Rodrigues who had also served as fighter jet pilot with the 23 “Panthers squadron”

The No. 23 "Panthers" Squadron has a storied history in the IAF, traditionally operating the MiG-21 and more recently transitioning to the HAL Tejas. Serving as a fighter pilot in such a unit requires immense skill and dedication, particularly given the Panthers' reputation for air defense and ground attack capabilities.

The Forging of a Fighter

Rodrigues’ journey began not in the air, but in the classroom. Entering via the AFCAT (Air Force Common Aptitude Test) after completing his engineering degree, he was thrust into a world where "average" simply doesn't exist.

“You cannot become a soldier by just words,” Rodrigues explains. The training at the academy is a grueling 18-month gauntlet. For those in the flying branch, the academic stakes are incredibly high. Technical exams require an 85% passing grade, while emergency procedures—the literal difference between life and death—demand a 95% score.

Every Flight an Examination

In the Indian Air Force, the transition from civilian to pilot is marked by the "sortie"—a single takeoff and landing. But for a cadet, a sortie is never just a practice run; it is a constant evaluation.

After mastering the Pilatus PC-7 Mark II Swiss trainers, only the top tier of the merit list is recommended for the fighter stream. For Rodrigues, this led him to the HJT-16 Kiran jets at Hakimpet, and eventually to the legendary MiG-21 Bison.

The physical requirements are equally stringent. Pilots undergo "anthropometry checks" where every limb is measured. "Had I been maybe 2 centimeters taller, I would have been recommended for almost all other aircraft except the MiG-21s," he recalls. Despite the tight fit, he describes flying the "Supersonic 21" as an incomparable experience.

Guarding the Skies: The ORP

One of the most critical roles Rodrigues played was in the Operational Readiness Platform (ORP). Functioning like a defensive "sweeper" in football, the ORP involves two aircraft kept fully armed at the edge of the runway, ready to scramble at a moment's notice.

"If an adversary comes from the border, the pilot immediately gets airborne to intercept," says Rodrigues. It is a high-pressure mission where seconds determine whether an intruder is successfully turned back from Indian territory.

A New Era: Women in the Cockpit

Rodrigues also witnessed the historic shift of women entering the fighter stream. Having served alongside pioneers like Sqn Ldr Avni Chaturvedi and Sqn Ldr Shivangi Singh (the second woman in the world to fly the Rafale), he dismisses the idea that their inclusion is mere "empowerment."

"Their level of focus and concentration is brilliant," he notes. "They gave us a run for our money because they were extremely studious. I am extremely proud of each and every one of them."

The Message to the Youth

Reflecting on his transformation, Rodrigues notes that the military isn't just a profession; it’s a complete 180-degree turn in character. He credits his commanding officers and seniors with turning a "susegad" Goan youth into a disciplined officer.

His message to the aspiring youth of Goa is simple but demanding. He urges them to look beyond the lack of local awareness, to study, to prepare for the SSB interviews, and to ultimately answer that same question that captured his imagination years ago: