Lieutenant Commander R. Saini was an officer of the Indian Navy serving with Indian Naval Air Squadron 315.
INAS 315 was established as the Indian Navy's maritime reconnaissance squadron and operated long-range aircraft for surveillance and maritime operations.
On 1 October 2002, the squadron was conducting celebrations at INS Hansa, Goa, to mark 25 years since its commissioning. A ceremonial flypast formed part of the anniversary programme.
Two Ilyushin-38 aircraft participated in the flypast near Dabolim. The aircraft were flying in close formation when they collided in mid-air.
Lieutenant Commander R. Saini was one of the naval personnel aboard the aircraft involved in the collision.
Both aircraft crashed following the collision. The 12 naval personnel aboard the two aircraft made the supreme sacrifice.
The tragedy claimed the lives of both crews and cast a sombre shadow over the silver jubilee of INAS 315.
Lieutenant Commander R. Saini is remembered among the 12 Indian Navy personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the Dabolim aviation tragedy on 1 October 2002.
The Honour Post honours his service and preserves his name as part of the history of Indian naval aviation.
