On 20th October, 1962, Squadron Leader A S Williams was ordered to find out the position prevailing at one of our Army posts in NEFA which had been subjected to heavy attacks by Chinese invaders. To carry out the task, he flew in a helicopter but it was damaged by heavy anti-aircraft fire by the Chinese. In order to save the aircraft from further damage, he skillfully maneuvered it towards the nearest helipad at another post. Unfortunately, the helicopter developed engine troubles as a result of the damage caused by enemy fire and he was forced to crash land it two miles from the helipad. He then trekked to the nearest Army post and was eventually evacuated to his own unit.

Earlier, on 12th October 1962, Squadron Leader Williams had flown several sorties in a helicopter by day and night to evacuate casualties from forward posts in the same area.

The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Squadron Leader Williams in difficult conditions were of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Charanjit Singh Sandhu was in command of a helicopter unit. On the night of December the 7th and 8th December, 1971, he personally led a special heli-born operation deep behind the enemy positions in the Eastern Sector. During the very first mission his force came under enemy fire, but he successfully carried out the landings of his force. The same night he flew an additional five similar missions.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Charanjit Singh Sandhu displayed gallantry, professional skill and leadership of a high order.

On the 15th September, 1970, a fire broke out in the stores section of a Helicopter Unit. Sergeant Kailash Chander Sharma, the unit Warrant Officer, immediately raised alarm and rushed to the scene of fire carrying two fire extinguishers. He found that the fire was spreading and that it could endanger the aircraft store rooms and the hangar in which the aircraft were parked. He fought the fire single handed, until reinforcement arrived. The flames were fierce and he suffered severe burns on his body. Though not a trained fire fighter, he continued fighting the fire with complete disregard to his personal safety, until overcome by heat, smoke and fumes, he collapsed. He was rescued by 229133 Corporal Tilak Raj Sharma. Sergeant Kailash Chander Sharma's efforts succeeded in localizing the fire to only two rooms and enabled the two aircraft in the hangar and other valuable stores to be shifted to a place of safety.

On the 15th September, 1970 a fire broke out in the stores section of a Helicopter Unit. On hearing this Corporal Tilak Raj Sharma immediately ran to the scene of the fire. After rescuing Sergeant Kailash Chander Sharma, who had collapsed due to heat, smoke and fumes, he started fighting the fire. Corporal Sharma, though not a trained fire fighter, continued fighting the fire in complete disregard of his personal safety. He suffered severe burns on his body and finally collapsed, where upon he was rescued by other personnel engaged in fighting the fire. Corporal Tilak Raj Sharma's efforts helped in localizing the fire to only two rooms. Two aircraft and other valuable stores were saved.

In this action, Corporal Tilak Raj Sharma displayed courage, determination and initiative of a high order.

On the 15th September, 1970, a fire broke out in the stores section of a helicopter unit. On hearing that the unit stores were on fire, NC (E) Yamapalla Papa Rao, Cook immediately rushed to the scene of the fire carrying two fire extinguishers. He found that the fire had spread and was endangering the safety of the adjacent store rooms and the hangar in which the two aircrafts were parked. He immediately started fighting with the fire. Though the flames were fierce and he suffered sever burns on his body, NC (E) Yamapalla Papa Rao continued fighting the fire with complete disregard to his personal safety until the regular fighting party took over. NC (E) Yamapalla Papa Rao's efforts help to localize the fire to only two rooms and enabled two aircrafts and other valuable stores to be shifted to a place of safety.

In this section, NC (E) Yamapalla Papa Rao displayed courage, initiative and determination.

Flight Lieutenant Mrigendra Narayan Singh has been engaged in active helicopter operations in Nagaland, NEFA and Mizo Hills since August 1963. He has flown a total of 1,093 hours out of which 55 hours were on operational missions. Most of the flying has been over hazardous and inaccessible terrain. He has carried out many sorties for casualty evacuation and for carrying troops in the vicinity of hostile elements. His willingness to fly on difficult missions in adverse weather and inhospitable terrain, has set an inspiring example to his juniors.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Mrigendra Narayan Singh displayed courage and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Flight Lieutenant Manjit Singh Sekhon has been serving in one of the Helicopter Units in the Eastern Sector. On a number of occasions, he has successfully carried out supply dropping and casualty evacuation from extremely difficult places at grave personal risk. He has completed 1,100 hours of operational flying in Helicopters in NEFA, Nagaland and Mizo Hills. In addition, he has been carrying out instructional duties and has always been setting an example to others.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Manjit Singh Sekhon displayed courage and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Ravindra Vikram Singh was Flight Commander of a Helicopter Unit. He undertook hazardous tasks over difficult terrain. He moulded his team into a highly organized and effective force, capable of giving their best at all times. On the 16th December, 1971, while on a mission to Sylhet, his aircraft which was flying at a height of one kilometre was hit by enemy ground fire and one of the bullets after penetrating the cabin, hit an oil pipe thus resulting in leakage of hot oil into the cabin. He pulled up the aircraft immediately to 1.5 km of height and by this time the reductor oil pressure had started dropping rapidly. It was by then dark and returning to base or to any other airfield was impossible. He, however, brought the aircraft out of enemy area, selected a suitable field at Fenchugari after approximately 15 minutes flying under trying circumstances in complete darkness and made a successful landing and thus saved the aircraft and the lives of the passengers and crew. Earlier on the 8th December, 1971, he brought the aircraft back safely when it was hit just six inches behind the co­pilot seat, twice on main rotor blades and once on main gear box cowling by enemy ground fire.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Ravindra Vikram Singh displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Anthony Richard (15027) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 10 June 77 in the Flying branch of the IAF. He has held the appointments of the Unit Flight Commander, Chief Operations Officer and Senior Flight Safety Officer. In 1992 he was awarded Chief of the Air Staff's Commendation.

Wing Commander Anthony Richard was appointed the Commanding Officer of a helicopter Unit on 24 July 95. On taking over, he faced the challenge of improving the helicopter serviceability state which was 51%. With his dynamic leadership and managerial skills he motivated the unit technical staff and achieved 100% helicopter serviceability in August 96, which was achieved for the first time in the history of the unit. In addition, he also undertook significant additional tasks simultaneously to improve the overall aircrew Categorisation State and operational preparedness of the unit. There were a total of 58 upgradations/initial categorisation of the aircrew and the monthly average flying was improved from 135 hours to 215 hours. During the DASI and four AEB visits, the unit performance was above average. In January 97, the unit participated in the Inter Command Helicopter competition "Exercise Ranvijay" and won two trophies. He himself flew over 688 hours towards sensitive communication duties, flood relief operations, Air Force/ Army exercises and training of young pilots, thus creating an atmosphere of confidence among the aircrew to take up challenges. With foresight, accurate planning and perseverance, he provided a new purpose and direction to the unit personnel.

For his devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Anthony Richard.

Wing Commander Vidya Sagar Bharati YSM (16611) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 11 Dec 81 in the Flying Branch of the IAF. For his distinguished service during the IPKF Ops in Sri Lanka he was awarded YSM in 1989. He has held appointments of Flight Commander of two operational units and is presently Commanding a Helicopter Unit since 29 Jun 98. He is a QFI and a graduate of Defence Services Staff College.

The recent unprecedented floods in U.P. and Bihar left lakhs of people marooned and helpless. The State Administration sought immediate help of the Air Force. Wg Cdr Bharti's unit was tasked to provide relief and succour to the victims. With meticulous planning and foresight he led the three months long flood relief operations on a war footing. Under his dynamic leadership the unit airlifted 521528 Kgs of relief material and 342 personnel. The relief operations brought appreciation and laurels from all around and especially from the Government of U.P. The Prime Minister himself greatly lauded this effort during his visit to the Station.

Wg Cdr Bharti ensured very high aircraft serviceability and availability during the entire operations and capped it with 100% serviceability by flying all the helicopters on unit's strength on culmination of the relief operations.

For his exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Vidya Sagar Bharti.

Squadron Leader Bhupender Singh Sehrawat (24203) Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of a Mi-8 Helicopter Unit since 30 Apr 03. He is a very keen and competent flier having 2604 hours of accident/ incident free flying.

On 15 Aug 06, Sqn Ldr Sehrawat, while airborne for flood relief operations, received a distress message from Nagpur ATC that a rescue boat carrying seven persons had capsized in 'Wainganga' river. Realising the gravity of the situation he immediately turned the helicopter towards the mishap area. Enroute, he carried out a meticulous in-flight planning and briefing. The weather was extremely bad with heavy downpour, strong gusty winds, low clouds and poor visibility, but he continued undeterred. After an extensive search the survivors were located, clinging onto tall trees in the swirling waters of 'Wainganga' river. Though situation was precarious, he kept his cool and decided to winch up the survivors from a high hover in between the tall trees.

Sqn Ldr Sehrawat, after coming to a high hover, descended his helicopter in between the trees with rotor tips barely clear of the branches and winched down one of his crew. Persisting on with his courageous effort he carried out a prolonged hover in an extremely restricted space, adverse weather and extreme regimes of performance. Through out he displayed selfless courage, exceptional skills, leadership and dedicated pursuance. By his timely and co-ordinated act of gallantry, he safely rescued all the seven survivors whose lives would otherwise have surely been lost.

For this act of exceptional courage, exemplary leadership and professional acumen in executing this complex mission leading to saving seven human lives, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)' to Squadron Leader Bhupender Singh Sehrawat.

768541 Corporal Prasanta Kumar Pati Engine Fitter is on the posted strength of a Mi-8 Helicopter Unit since 14 Jun 04. The state of Maharashtra was lashed with incessant rains in the month of Aug 06 resulting in floods. This led to a critical situation with lot of people stranded. He was part of the rescue operations at Nagpur.

On 15 Aug 06, Cpl Pati, an engine tradesmen was carried on a helicopter as part of crew for relief operations. While on relief Ops, the Captain of the helicopter received a distress message from Nagpur ATC that a boat carrying seven persons had capsized in 'Wainganga' river. Captain diverted the aircraft to rescue people from capsized boat. The survivors were located clinging onto tall trees in the swirling waters. The Captain then decided to winch them up from a height of 35 mtrs. Survivors were in a precarious situation and were not be able to harness themselves onto the winch. Someone from helicopter had to go down to the trees and help the survivors. Cpl Pati volunteered for this dangerous and challenging task.

In spite of the dangers and complexities associated with this task, Cpl Pati displayed courage and composure of the highest order and immediately got down into the swirling waters of the flooded 'Wainganga' river in which the survivors were holding onto their lives by clinging to the trees. He strapped up the survivors one by one from the flooded waters. By agreeing to go down in the swirling fast currents of a flooded river he displayed grit and determination of a true Air Warrior and in spite of no previous experience, handled the task professionally. By his timely act of courage he helped in saving seven lives which would have surely been lost.

For this act of exceptional courage in face of adversity while undertaking a life threatening task beyond his call of duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)' to Corporal Prasanta Kumar Pati.

Throughout the December 1971 operations, Flight Lieutenant Pannalari Korothunbikahannan Nambiar ensured cent per cent serviceability of his unit's aircraft while serving with a Helicopter Unit in the Eastern Sector. This he achieved by working round the clock with utter disregard for his personal comfort. On 16th December, 1971 a helicopter of his unit forcelanded at Fenchugung after being hit by enemy ground fire. Flt. Lt. Nambiar flew to the spot and by personally carrying out the repairs, made it possible for the aircraft to be flown back to base the same evening.

For the distinguished service of a high order rendered by him he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.