John Aguiar
In a moment of quiet but significant pride for Goa, Wing Commander Maria Ismenia Sanchia Pereira has emerged as a new face of distinction within the Indian Air Force, becoming the first Goan woman officer to receive a Mention-in-Despatches for her service during the high risk military mission known as Operation Sindoor.
The wartime honour, awarded for distinguished and meritorious service in the presence of the enemy, places Pereira among a select group of officers whose actions have had a direct operational impact. For the state, it marks a rare milestone. For the officer herself, it is recognition of months of demanding work carried out far from the public eye.
Operation Sindoor was launched in May 2024 following the Pahalgam terror attack, with the objective of dismantling terrorist infrastructure and launchpads across the Line of Control and inside Pakistan. The mission required tight coordination between surveillance, intelligence and combat units, with little room for error. Posted at a frontline base under the Western Command in Ambala, Pereira served as an Air Traffic Controller, a role often overlooked but central to every successful air operation. In a high pressure combat environment, she managed the complex choreography of fighter aircraft launches, recoveries and diversions, ensuring that missions proceeded safely and efficiently.
Her responsibilities went well beyond routine coordination. Working with advanced radar and monitoring systems, she provided real time surveillance inputs that helped pilots identify targets accurately. She also relayed early warnings about incoming enemy aircraft and potential missile threats, allowing Indian assets to respond swiftly and safeguard both airspace and ground installations.
Back home, Pereira’s journey began in classrooms and playing fields rather than cockpits and control rooms. The daughter of a retired Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Eustaquio Pereira, and a retired Deputy Education Officer Poma Pereira, she grew up in a household that valued discipline and public service. She studied at Mary Immaculate Conception High School and Green Rosary Higher Secondary School before earning an engineering degree from Goa Engineering College. The technical foundation eventually led her to the Air Force and to a career in air traffic control.
Her recognition carries resonance beyond individual achievement. As more women enter combat support and operational roles, Pereira’s story stands as a reminder that excellence in the Armed Forces is defined by skill and commitment rather than gender. For young Goans, especially young women considering careers in uniform, her path offers both inspiration and proof that service to the nation can begin at home and extend all the way to the frontlines.
