Wg Cdr Simhakutty Varthaman was commissioned on 09 Feb 74. He is a qualified Flying Instructor and a Test Pilot and has more than 3000 hours of accident-free fighter flying to his credit.

He is qualified on MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27 aircraft. At the BRD, his task included duties of COO and air testing of aircraft produced after manufacture/overhaul/medium repair/ storage by HAL and BRD. He flew 667 accident free sorties amounting to 470 hours. He rendered valuable help in finalizing five major trials and modifications. Ozar complex consisting of HAL and the BRD has been designated as vital area in the Maharashtra Air Defence Sector of South Western Air Command. Three major Air Defence exercises were conducted at this base. During one of the exercises, Guided Weapons Squadrons were inducted for the first time. Wg Cdr Varthaman, with the help of a few technicians and one technical officer, established a Base Air Defence Centre (BADC) from scratch. He also established Operational Readiness Platform and allied communication system for the exercise. Several successful interceptions were carried out during the exercise.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Wg Cdr S Varthaman.

Group Captain Simhakutty Varthaman VM (13606) F (P) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 09 Feb 1974. In 27 years of distinguished service the pilot has flown 26 years, and accumulated 3800 hours of flying on 30 different types of aircraft. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, he is an experienced test pilot and a qualified flying instructor. He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1993 for distinguished service as a Chief Test Pilot of a large Base Repair Depot. He has commanded a MiG 21 fighter squadron, and was the Chief Test Pilot of the IAF flighttesting centre at Aircraft and System Testing Establishment (ASTE), Bangalore. He is now the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Air Force Station Gwalior.

Whilst commanding a MiG-21 fighter squadron in the East his unit achieved the singular distinction of having flown 9500 sorties without a single accident, while ensuring a very high quality training of pilots. As Chief Test Pilot at ASTE he was instrumental in the conduct and execution of crucial aircraft and weapon trials being inducted into the IAF. As the COO, this highly motivated and dynamic officer, coordinated the entire magnitude of operations of Kargil at Gwalior, sustaining an efficient operational environment and high morale of the Mirage fleet to achieve this air victory. In a short span of four months he created the only successful multitarget and multi-directional day/night Airto-Ground Range at Singpur, which gives realistic operational scenario for all types of aircraft in the IAF, thereby enhancing the operational potential of the IAF.

The officer supervised three Air Force level exercises and 12 electronic warfare exercises during the last two years, without compromising flight safety. In recognition of these achievements the air base was awarded the "Best in Operations" of Central Air Command for both the years consecutively under his leadership. With a wide perspective and progressive vision he has co-ordinated the induction of the Tactics And Combat Development Establishment into Gwalior.

For distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Simhakutty Varthaman.