Flight Lieutenant Bijender Singh Siwach was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in June, 1970. He has served, with credit, in various Helicopter units ever since his commission. At present he is performing the duties of a Flight Adjutant in an Air OP Squadron. The officer has been an asset to the Squadron and on more than one occasion, he has performed flying tasks out-side the call of his normal duties.

On the 7th July, 1977, Flight Lieutenant Siwach was called upon to rescue five casualties of an Army Mountaineering Expedition from Mun Kun peak area in Shafat Glaciers. The pilot had no previous knowledge of the terrain and used his professional skill to locate and evacuate casualties from an altitude of 17,000 feet. This hazardous task was performed in the face of adverse climatic conditions and he had to carry out three sorties to evacuate the five serious casualties. This flying operation took over six hours.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Bijender Singh Siwach displayed high professional competence, determination, courage, and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Bijender Singh Siwach VM (12413) F(P) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Jun 1970. An exceptional and keen flier, he has over 6000 hrs of accident/incident free flying to his credit. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal for exceptional devotion to duty in 1979. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and College of Combat. He is an A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor with over 1500-hrs instructional flying in India and abroad. During his long and meritorious service, he has acquitted himself creditably particularly while commanding Mi-17 and Mi-8 Helicopter units.

Gp Capt BS Siwach, immediately after assuming the command of Air Force Station, Sarsawa on 05 May 97, whole heartedly devoted himself to the task of building up his station personnel into a well knit cohesive and professionally competent force. Displaying a very high degree of organizing ability, foresight, initiative and resourcefulness, he brought about distinct all round improvements in every facet of the station functioning. A highly committed officer, he has ensured a very high standard of operational preparedness of the station. His innovative approach in conducting two highly successful Flight Safety Weeks has contributed immensely towards the promotion of Flight Safety.

Keeping the resource crunch in mind, Gp Capt BS Siwach motivated his personnel to innovate, indigenize and fabricate mobile AVSM 2000-01 starting and servicing power trolley, six test benches and host other items. The mobile power and hydraulic trolley which have been fabricated without any addition in manpower or resources are being used as a substitute to Russian Appa and Upega vehicles costing around Rs. 50 lakhs each in foreign exchange. In addition, these trolleys have enhanced operational flexibility and effectiveness and a saving of recurring expenditure to the tune of approx. Rs. 2500/- per day.

Gp Capt BS Siwach with his personal liaison and relentless efforts, has been able to ensure uninterrupted power supply on the station as against earlier 8 to 9 hours power shut down every day, thus enhancing quality of life and morale of the station. Under his leadership, Air Force Station, Sarsawa has been awarded best Transport and Helicopter Wing and best overall runners up Wing Trophy in Nov 1998.

Group Captain Bijender Singh Siwach VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Bijender Singh Siwach AVSM VM (12413) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the IAF on 13 Jun 70 and has been the Commander of IAF contingent Sierra Leone-2000, UNAMSIL since 15 Mar 2000.

Gp Capt BS Siwach, an outstanding officer and an exceptional flier, has more than 6000 hours of accident/incident free flying to his credit. He is an A-2 qualified flying instructor, graduate of Defence Services Staff College and has had eminently successful tenure as Commanding Officer, Mi-8 and Mi- 17 units and Station Commander, Air Force Station, Sarsawa. He is a recipient of 'Vayu Sena Medal' and 'Ati Vishisht Seva Medal' for distinguished service of exceptional order.

A Joint Army-Air Force operation named 'Op Khukri' was launched on 15 Jul 2000 to rescue 22 Indian Troops and 11 Military Observers of United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, from the Clutches of Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels. Gp Capt BS Siwach was actively involved in the joint planning of the operation right from the conception phase and contributed immensely towards providing round the clock effective air support for the operation. The officer ensured the execution of the entire air operation in a very professional and daring manner. Under his dynamic leadership, the IAF Contingent helicopters flew 108 sorties/66.55 hours under extremely adverse weather conditions over most inhospitable hilly and thickly forested terrain in the face of the threat from the rebels. His very close monitoring and control of the air operation helped a great deal towards the most needed swiftness without compromising the safety of contingent air assets. Gp Capt BS Siwach ensured a very effective and continuous air umbrella over the area of operations which was instrumental in the grand success of the Op Khukri, in the shortest possible time of less than two days.

For his distinguished service of a high order under operational conditions, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Yudh Seva Medal' to Group Captain Bijender Singh Siwach.