Abhiroop Das
Co-created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava, Netflix’s ‘Operation Safed Sagar: The Untold Story of the Kargil War’ recounts the Indian Air Force’s role in the 1999 Kargil conflict through the officers who flew its combat mission. In particular, the war drama series zeroes in on the Air Force’s No. 17 Squadron, better known as the Golden Arrows. Though famous for being elite when it comes to aerial reconnaissance, the Golden Arrows are met with plenty of novel challenges when soaring over the Himalayas. However, what drives them forward, above all, is the leadership of Birender Singh “Tony” Dhanoa, who transforms his unit into one of the most highly decorated and successful squadrons of the entire war.
Birender Singh Dhanoa is Regarded as One of the Indian Air Force’s Finest
The character of Tony Dhanoa is based on the real-life Birender Singh Dhanoa, better known within the Indian Air Force as “Tony.” As is the case with characters like Ajay Ahuja and Rajpal Singh “Dhali” Dhaliwal, While the writing team has taken a few creative liberties in its reimagining of the 1999 Kargil War, fought between India and Pakistan, ‘Operation Safed Sagar: The Untold Story of the Kargil War’ remains firmly anchored in extensive real-life research to honor the legacies of officers like Ajay Ahuja and Rajpal Singh “Dhali” Dhaliwal as well as Dhanoa.
Born on September 7, 1957, in the city of Deoghar, in present-day Jharkhand, Dhanoa came from a family of people who had dedicated their lives to service. His father, Sorain Singh, was an IAS officer with an illustrious career, having served as the Chief Secretary to the governments of Punjab and Bihar and as an Election Commissioner of India. Tony’s grandfather, Captain Sant Singh, was a World War II veteran, having served in the British Indian Army. Inspired by this legacy, Tony joined the National Defense Academy in Pune and was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on June 16, 1978, at the age of 21. Over the next two decades, he built an extensive operational career, flying MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29, and the famous Mirage 2000 fighter jets.
The Birender Singh Dhanoa-Led No. 17 Squadron Was Key to Victory in Kargil
By 1999, Birender Singh “Tony” Dhanoa was serving as the commanding officer of No. 17 Squadron, better known as the Golden Arrows, which specialized in aerial reconnaissance. When the Kargil War began, he led the squadron to Srinagar on May 18, 1999. Three days later, the Golden Arrows began their first reconnaissance missions, with Dhanoa leading a sortie over the Tiger Hill and Tololing peaks on May 26. That date also marked the launch of Operation Safed Sagar, in which the squadron was tasked with collecting data and developing strategies amid intense geopolitical tensions.
Over the course of the Kargil War, Dhanoa and his squadron carried out several successful aerial missions, providing the Indian Army with crucial assistance during their Operation Vijay. June 3, 1999, marked the first bombing mission for the Golden Arrows during Dhanoa’s tenure as commanding officer. In the weeks that followed, his squadron successfully executed night strikes and several complex formations, neutralizing several threats along the way. For his contribution to India’s victory, Dhanoa was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal and the Vayu Sena Medal.
Birender Singh Dhanoa Headed the Indian Air Force During the 2019 Balakot Airstrike
Following the war, Birender Singh “Tony” Dhanoa continued to rise through the ranks of the Indian Air Force, holding several senior operational and staff appointments over the next decades. He served as the Director of the Targeting Cell at Air Headquarters and as the Director of Fighter Operations & War Planning at Headquarters Western Air Command. Dhanoa was also appointed as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters and later as the Senior Air Staff Officer of the Eastern and Western Air Commands. Within the South Western Air Command, he rose to the rank of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief and held that position until May 31, 2015.
Dhanoa’s list of administrative accomplishments doesn’t stop there, as on June 1, 2015, he assumed the post of Vice Chief of the Air Staff at Air Headquarters. The following year, on December 17, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Indian Air Force, becoming its professional head. During his tenure, he oversaw the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and formally revived No. 17 Squadron, AKA the Golden Arrows, as the Indian Air Force’s first Rafale unit. This came as a full-circle moment for Dhanoa, as he was once again leading the very squadron he had commanded during the Kargil War.
Dhanoa retired from active service on September 30, 2019, as Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, having led an inspirational career spanning four decades. Since then, he has remained active in India’s defense and strategic affairs community, regularly voicing his opinions on these matters. A heartfelt moment came for Dhanoa in September 2025, with the retirement of the iconic MiG-21, the same aircraft he and his squadron flew during the Kargil War. In a conversation with NDTV, he described it as his favorite aircraft, recalling its important role in India’s historic 1999 win. As of writing, Dhanoa remains one of the Indian Air Force’s most prominent retired officers, and his words of wisdom remain as valuable as ever.
You must be logged in to post a comment.