Air Commodore Packiam Paul Rajkumar (12018) Flying (Pilot) F (P) was commissioned in the IAF on 21 Jun 69.

An A-2 Qualified Instructor (QFI), graduate of National Defence College and the Defence Services Staff College, he has commanded an operational helicopter unit, which actively participated in Op Pawan in Sri Lanka. He has also been at the helm of the Helicopter Training School, a premium training institution of the Indian Air Force and successfully commanded an Air Force Station. He has also served eminently as Air Force Examiner in the AEB during 1985-88. He has over 6500 accident free flying hours to his credit.

The officer took charge as the Director of Operations (Transport and Helicopters) on 24 Dec 01, at the peak of the recent Air Force activation. This called for intense personal involvement and meticulous planning to ensure that the IAF firepower was positioned on the western border well within the stipulated time. He has been able to successfully achieve this enormous task in smooth and efficient manner. The officer ensured continued serviceability and high availability of the helicopter fleet which is the lifeline for sustenance of troops in the forward areas, especially high altitudes.

It is to the credit of the air officer that during this period of enhanced activity, equal attention was paid to the revision and standardization of various orders, instructions and operating procedures pertaining to transport and helicopter operations. The cases for replenishment of spares and equipment for the fleet are also being expeditiously progressed by the officer with acumen and vision.

Air Commodore Packiam Paul Rajkumar has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Packiam Paul Rajkumar (12018) F (P) was commissioned as a helicopter pilot in the Flying (Pilot) Branch on 21 Jun 1969. He is presently the Commander-in-Chief of only Joint Operational Command in India, namely, the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) at Port Blair from 02 Dec 06. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Army War College and the NDC. For distinguished services of exceptional order he was awarded AVSM in 2003.

In the long and illustrious career spanning 38 years, the Air Mshl had held various field and staff appointments. Some of them have been the Principal Director Operations (Transport and Helicopter), Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operational Concepts and Doctrines) at Air HQ, Deputy Commandant of National Defence Academy (NDA) and Commandant of National Defence College (NDC). As PD (Ops), he oversaw the Transport and Helicopter operations during 'Op Parakram'. He also initiated the proposal for Helicopter Display Team for the Air Force, which led to the formation of the now internationally renowned 'Sarang' Team - the only helicopter display team in the world. Subsequently, as an Air Marshal, he was the Chairman of the Academic Study Group of the NDA. The previous such Study Group was formed more than 30 years earlier. This Study Group recommended wide ranging changes in the academic curriculum at NDA, resulting in synergy between the purely academic and military subjects, for the first time since its inception. The recommendations have now been implemented in toto at the NDA with the approval of JNU and the COSC. As the Commandant of NDC, he pursued award of M Phil Degree to the participants of the Course. Due of his efforts, the course participants in 2006 have been awarded the M Phil degree from Madras University. All future NDC participants will now be eligible for this degree.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the ANC, he had drawn up a vision plan for the progress and development of the command upto 2022. His directions for Joint Planning and Operations had led to very high serviceability of all the fleets in the command. The Naval Fleet achieved the distinction of sailing all their 15 ships for many days in August 2007, which had never been achieved in ANC before. The operational capability and integration of the three Services and the Coast Guard component improved tremendously under his leadership, leading to a record number of apprehensions of foreign poachers in Andamans. As the first Air Force Commander-in-Chief of the ANC, he has exhibited a clear vision for Joint operations and contributed extensively to Jointness amongst the services.

Air Marshal Packiam Paul Rajkumar, AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.