Draft:Johnny William Greene

Air Marshal Johnny William Greene VrC, VM, AVSM, PVSM
Born	(1929-03-21)21 March 1929
Died	16 October 2013(2013-10-16) (aged 84) Mumbai
Allegiance	India
Service / branch	Indian Air Force
Years of service	42 years From 16 June 1951 to 9 December 1993
Rank	Air Marshal
Service number	4093 F(P)
Unit	No.14 Squadron Bulls No.23 Squadron Black Panther No.2 Squadron Flying Arrows
Battles / wars	Sino-Indian War Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Awards	Vir Chakra Vayu Sena Medal AVSM PVSM
Spouse(s)	Cynthia
Children	No Children

An Indian Air Force Folland Gnat jet in 1971

Air Marshal Johnny William Greene, (21 March 129 - 16 October 2013) was a Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot, known for leading India's first aerial dogfight in Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. As Squadron Leader of No. 23 Squadron IAF, he guided Folland Gnat pilots to victory over Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-86 Sabre jets on 3 and 4 September 1965, For this action, he was awarded the Vir Chakra.

On 4 December 1971, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for his role as a Wing Commander when he scrambled Lockheed F-104 Starfighter to defend an attack on the Amritsar radar station.

War time history

1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Pakistan asserted air superiority with its F-86 Sabres on the first day of the air war on 1 September 1965. The following day, No. 23 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, equipped with the compact and untested Folland Gnat jets—one-third the size of Sabres, hampered by gun jamming issues and lacking missiles—was swiftly relocated to Pathankot Air Force Station. On that day, Squadron Leader Greene inspired his pilots with a strategy to lure the Sabres into a Shikargah (hunting ground). Urging them to conquer their fears, he stated, "Go up there, shoot well, and shoot straight. It’s as simple as that." The squadron earned the monikers "Sabre Slayers" and "God is Green, and Greene is God."

1971

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

On the very first day of war on 3 December 1971, piloting a Folland Gnat from No. 2 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, he pursued a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter on a bombing mission targeting the Ferozepur radar.

Peace time history

He was born a Muslim and converted by choice to Christianity. As Pilot officer in 1952, he had to bail out from Spitfire XVIII aircraft due to a problem with the propeller and consequent loss of power in No. 14 Squadron IAF. Squadron Leader Greene in 1964 went to USAF for a Flight Safety course.

From 1973, Greene served primarily at Vayu Bhawan, Air Headquarters, New Delhi, in roles such as Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of an Operational Wing, Director of Flight Safety, and SASO (Operations). He enhanced combat and support capabilities, improved flight safety, and contributed significantly to fighter tactics and standard operating procedures, earning the AVSM in 1979. That same year, as Air Commodore, he took command of the South Western Air Command (formerly No. 1 Operational Group). In 1981, Greene became Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans), significantly improving operational preparedness by overseeing the planning, induction, and integration of advanced aircraft, weapons, and equipment, earning the PVSM in 1984. He served as Air Vice Marshal (1981–1984) and later as Air Marshal (1985–1987), commanding the Central Air Command (India) in Allahabad.

Legacy

The chapter The IAF over Chhamb mentions Greene in Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam's book India's Wars as the only air defense pilot to be awarded a Vir Chakra in 1965 for inspirational leadership without shooting down an enemy aircraft.

References

Category:1929 births Category:2013 deaths Category:Pilots of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Category:Pilots of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Category:Indian aviation record holders Category:Recipients of the Vir Chakra Category:Recipients of the Vayu Sena Medal Category:Indian Air Force officers Category:Indian military personnel of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971