Wing Commander Venkitaraman Subramanian (13673) Logistics was posted at a Base Repair Depot since 11 Apr 98 as Chief Logistics Officer. During his service career he has held various important appointments viz. SLO, Air Force Station, Yelahanka, OC 24 Equipment Depot (Dett), Senior Instructor Logistics at Air Force Academy and Instructor with Nigerian Air Force.

On taking over as Chief Logistics Officer of a BRD, which overhauls front line fighter aircraft, he carried out an analysis of the problem areas that existed in providing spares to the production line. A complete reorganisation of the Logistics Support Wing was carried out bringing all provisioning activities together under one head and all stores management under another head. Key Result Areas after this were the centralization of Stock Record Section and the formulation of the BRD AOG cell. Immediate positive results were seen in the optimum utilisation of items found common between the weapon systems and elimination of duplicate provisioning action. The long term benefits that have accrued to the IAF are a 25% reduction in the quantum of spares that would be procured from foreign sources through the provisioning reviews of 1998 and resultant savings of FOREX. Centralised AOG management resulted in drastic reduction of outstanding AOG demand.

The BRD was entrusted with the enhanced task of production of a frontline fighter aircraft in 1998-99 to avoid sending these aircraft abroad for overhaul. Critical spares, which were to be received from abroad, had not materialised and the impending urgency was to procure these from HAL and other various sources. Continuous personal monitoring, adoption of ingenious methods and total involvement in the task achievement were the highlights of the officer's contribution.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Venkitaraman Subramanian.