Group Captain Prithi Singh is Commanding a major fighter base of the Air Force since 16th July, 1976. A highly qualified test pilot, he has wide experience on seventy types of aircraft and has made a significant contribution to the production testing of aircraft and various important flight evaluation trials for the Indian Air Force. He has flown 4383 hours without a single avoidable accident. He has set a high standard of flying and has given a lead to his subordinates by his personal example. In addition to the control of the aircraft based at his Wing he is responsible for coordinating the Armament Training of most of the Squadrons in Western Air Command. He has carried out both these tasks in an exemplary manner and has consistently achieved the highest standards in both the fields. Simultaneously, he has personally conducted flight trials of indigenously manufactured equipment fitted on various aircraft which has contributed to our operational potential.

While he was in command of the base, a few of our other airfields were closed for repairs. This entailed the induction of an additional force at his base which accentuated the problem of maintaining a close control over their movements. He reorganised his navigational and other aids and ensured the smooth conduct of the heavy flying activity. During the same period, he also coordinated and conducted a successful fire power demonstration. His contribution in making the Flight Safety Programme at the Station extremely effective has been creditable.

Group Captain Prithi Singh has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Dayashankar Mishra was commissioned in the Air Force in 1951. He has successfully completed a post­graduate course in aircraft design at the College of Aeronautics in the United Kingdom. During his long service, he has held important appointments of the Chief Technical Instructor at Air Force Technical College, Senior Technical Staff Officer and Chief of Aircraft Production in a Base Repair Depot with

great distinction, in recognition of which, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1972. Group Captain Mishra was posted to a Base Repair Depot in April, 1974, when the Depot was at its formative stage. He competently handled all problems and completed the formation of the unit in a smooth and efficient manner, enabling the Base Repair Depot to undertake the major servicing of modern fighter aircraft by April, 1975. The stipulated task for major servicing of aircraft for the year 1976-77 increased one and a half times to operational necessity. This called for not only revised planning on the utilisation of resources and manpower but more hours of extra work on the part of everyone concerned. Due to his professional competence and ingenious management of men and resources, the Base Repair Depot achieved, in full, the revised production target assigned to it. The Depot also won the coveted Annual Trophy for the Best Base Repair Depot in Maintenance Command.

Group Captain Dayashankar Mishra has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Sergeant Venkata Ramiah Kantheti has been on the posted strength of a Fighter Wing of the Air Force, operating high performance aircraft including a type training squadron, since 15th January, 1975. Besides his section duties, he was employed as runway controller wherein he amply displayed his exceptionally keen observation, alertness, clear understanding AVSM 1978-79 of situation and dedication. By giving timely warning to pilots and the controllers, Sergeant Venkata Ramiah Kantheti helped in averting many untoward situations.

On 8th August 1975, he noticed that the flaps of an aircraft had not been lowered for landing. His prompt and timely action thus averted a flapless landing. On 28th August, 1975, when an aircraft lowered flaps for take off, he informed the pilot that a metal strip was hanging from the flap region and sent him back to dispersal as it would have fouled the flaps during its upward travel after take off. On 11th September, 1975, he prevented a dangerous situation when during the engine run up at the Take Off point, an aircraft was seen emitting smoke. He asked the pilot to switch off the engine and promptly dispatched the crash tender to handle the situation. On 7th February, 1976, he saw an aircraft approaching for landing without flaps and his timely report on Radio Telephone helped the pilot in taking the correct action. On 26th June 1976, when an aircraft was unsticking, he noticed tyre tread pieces flying off from the aircraft and ensured the safety of the aircraft by promptly informing the pilot on Radio Telephone to take correct action. On 26th September, 1976, he averted an accident by disallowing an aircraft to take off when he noticed that one of the four airbrakes was sticking out. Again, on 26th November, 1976, he averted a similar accident to another aircraft.

In his daily duties Sergeant Kantheri has displayed a high sense of responsibility, exceptional devotion to duty and professional skill. His vigilance as runway controller has greatly contributed in eliminating the bird strike accidents on his base.

Sergeant Venkata Ramiah Kantheti has thus rendered distinguished services of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Mulk Raj was commissioned in the Air Force on 12th August, 1943. He has held various staff and field appointments with distinction. As Medical Officer at the Air Force Academy, he showed promise in the field of Aviation Medicine pertaining to problems of flying training. In 1957, he was the first IAF Medical Officer to be selected for appointment as Senior Medical Officer at the National Defence Academy, Kharakvasala. There he made various improvements and converted the local section hospital into a full fledged independent hospital which saved considerable training hours for the cadets. AVSM 1979

He graduated from the Defence Services Staff College in 1959 and was amongst the first few in his Branch who specialised in Aviation Medicine. During this period he did a project study on “Fighter Cockpit Space", the parameters of which were useful in the design of the cockpit of the jet trainer aircraft. As an Aviation Medicine Specialist, he held the important assignments as Officer Commanding Aero­Medical Unit and in the Directorate of Flight Safety. Thereafter, he was posted as Senior Medical Officer of two major flying stations. In all these appointments he acquitted himself creditably. In 1969, he was posted Deputy Director of Medical Services (Personnel) in Air Headquarters where he made valuable contributions towards career prospects of Medical Officers of the Indian Air Force and towards establishment of the present specialist cadre in the Army Medical Corps. He held the charge of the Command Hospital Bangalore in the rank of Group Captain. His professional skill and sympathetic approach, earned him a high reputation and esteem of the patients. His administrative and organising abilities also raised the efficiency of the hospital to a high level of performance. It was he who, for the first time, introduced the concept of polyclinic for outpatients in Service hospitals.

His present tenure as the Principal Medical Officer of Western Air Command is his fourth assignment in a Command in the same capacity. During his current tenure, he has utilised his wide experience to motivate his medical Officers to have a positive approach in the execution of their duties. This has paid handsome dividends in the form of low rates of preventable diseases, the high standards of hygiene and sanitation and the efficient working of Maternity and Child Welfare Centre in the Command. He has also ensured that all Medical Officers are closely involved in the Flight Safety Programmes of units. His personal involvement in keeping the aircrew fit, considerably improved the operational efficiency of units and kept the accident rate down.

Air Commodore Mulk Raj has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Johney William Greene was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1951. He specialised in fighter operations as Pilot Attack Instructor and Day Fighter Leader. Later in 1965, he received training as a specialist in flight safety and has since devoted much of hit attention towards improving safety in the Air Force. He has held several important command and staff appointments, including command of three fighter squadrons and an operational Wing. He served as Director of Flight Safety at Air Headquarters. He has held all these posts with exceptional competence.

He took an active part in the Goa operations and the 1962 operations. He was awarded Vir Chakra for bravery, in 1965 and Vayu Sena Medal for his role in the 1971 Conflict. In all these operations, he displayed exemplary capabilities of his flying skill and leadership.

As Senior Air Staff Officer, No. 1 (Operational) Group, Air Commodore Greene has, with his professional skill and experience, enhanced the operational capability of the combat and support elements of the forces under his Group and improved their flight safety record. He has also made significant contributions in the fields of fighter tactics, standard operating procedures and flight safety. His meticulous planning and remarkable capacity to find viable solutions to problems has won or him the confidence and admiration of his superiors and the esteem of his subordinates.

Air Commodore Johney William Greene has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Man Singh was commissioned in the Indian Air Force 1951 and has since held many imports assignments, including the command of fighter squadron, two air staff appointments in Command Headquarters and the command of two operational Wings. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1971 for his professional skill and contributions towards conduct of operations in December, 1971. Again in January, 1973, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for render distinguished service of a high order.

In 1976, he took over command of a major fighter Wing and, within a short span of 20 months, transformed it dynamic and operationally oriented base, a number of viable welfare and infused a new spirit among the personnel at the station.

The Wing commanded by Air Commodore Man Singh is the base for an aircraft which had been plagued with various maintenance problems, resulting in a poor rate of utilisation. He worked with dedication throughout 1977 to improve the serviceability and utilisation rate of the aircraft and achieved a breakthrough in October that year. Thereafter, all the squadrons have consistently achieved the authorised flying tasks and a high standard of operational preparedness. The particular aircraft fleet is now a viable strike element of the Force which was amply demonstrated during the Air Force Fire Power Demonstration at Tilpat in 1978. It was due to his unflinching dedication and the result­oriented approach to problems that he brought the standard of performance of his station at par with the best in the Air Force.

Air Commodore Man Singh has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Kanwal Krishan Malik was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1952. He has been the commanding officer of an operational station in one of the sensitive areas since 1978. Earlier he commanded another operational station during 1976-77 and held important senior staff appointments, both at command and Air Headquarters. In all these assignments, despite limitations imposed by operational commitments and weather conditions, he was able to ensure high standards of operational readiness, and creditably performed all tasks assigned to him. In recognition, he was award the Vayu Sena Medal in 1973.

When he took over the Command of an operational flying Station in May, 1976, a couple of fatal aircraft accidents had taken place at the station. For want of spares and repairs for periods varying from six months to two years, a large number of fighter aircraft were grounded. Air Commodore Malik formulated comprehensive maintenance plans and personally supervised the implementation of these plans at the Station level and through frequent visits to Base Repair Depots and Equipment Depots with the result that all these unserviceable aircraft were reclaimed for full operational flying within a year. This was a creditable achievement in that his was the only Station in the entire Command at that time which had no aircraft unserviceable for more than six months.

He achieved similar improvement in the serviceability of the supporting specials vehicles. He explored markets for spares and brought these vehicles to a serviceability state within a short period. Some of the maintenance and technical procedures and practices and local improvisation in regard to aircraft and supporting vehicles maintenance, which he had developed, were also introduced at other stations in the area which brought about substantial improvement in the level of flight safety in the command.

He took the same keen interest in the welfare of his men and undertook a number of welfare projects. It was due to his personal initiative that a building was constructed for housing a school on the campus which, in that remote station, was not only a great achievement but also helped in raising the morale of the personnel.

Air Commodore Kanwal Krishan Malik has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Manjeet Singh Judge was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force in November 1949. Since then he has served with distinction in several important appointments at Equipment Depots, Commands and Air Headquarters. He was the Chief Equipment Officer of the largest Equipment Depot and later served as Deputy Director of Maintenance Planning at Air Headquarters. In both these assignments, he acquitted himself creditably. While he was the Chief Equipment Officer at the Equipment Depot, he ably planned and executed the stocks transfer of all ranges of sophisticated Electronics and aircraft spares. He also displayed outstanding administrative and organising ability when he was in command of a widely scattered Equipment Depot. During 1971 Conflict, despite very limited resources at his disposal, he provided very effective administrative support to the Units operating from that base. In recognition of his services, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

He is now in command of the largest Logistic Complex of the Indian Air Force holding over two lakh items. Recently, he successfully accomplished the important task of carrying out physical stock verification and identification of all the spares held in his Depot within a very short span of time

Air Commodore Manjeet Singh Judge has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Kumarapalayam Ramasubramanyam Natarajan was commissioned in 1952. He is a graduate of the Cranfield Institute of Technology and has held, with distinction, a number of important posts at flying stations, Base Repair Depots,

Command and Air Headquarters. In May, 1976, he was posted as the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer 1 (Operational) Group. The general state of serviceability in the Group, and the quality of maintenance management needed distinct improvement. His initial efforts to raise the level of the standard of maintenance in general and maintenance safety in particular led, within two years, to a creditable all round improvement in maintenance. Under his able guidance, a number of units in the Group were able to achieve 100 percent serviceability which is an outstanding achievement in the Air Force. He also brought down considerably the maintenance induced accident rate which he accomplished because of his clear understanding of the rooted ills that caused maintenance errors and lapses.

Group Captain Natarajan has all along displayed deep professional knowledge, an analytical approach to maintenance problems and ability to manage available resources to yield maximum results. He has enthusiastically shouldered every responsibility entrusted to him and has set an example to his colleagues by his dedicated hard work, disregarding his personal comfort. As the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, he has provided the necessary dynamic leadership and sound professional direction. By his personal participation in all maintenance activities, he has gained the confidence of the units and has inspired them to achieve the highest standards of maintenance safety and discipline. The high serviceability state of aircraft and associated equipment have contributed significantly to the operational preparedness of the Group.

Group Captain Kumarapalayam Ramasubramanyam Natarajan has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Kshirode Krishan Sen was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 1st April, 1953. He has held a variety of appointments during his long and distinguished career which was recognised by the grant of award of Vayu Sena Medal and Bar to Vayu Sena Medal. He was in Command of an operational Squadron during 1968-71 where he acquitted himself creditably. In January, 1976, when he took over Command of a major operational Station where pilots were trained for conversion on to fighter aircraft, there was a large accumulation of aircraft, awaiting inspection. By dint of his effective planning of the maintenance activities, he not only cleared the backlog of work within a few months but also succeeded in implementing comprehensive programme of job training for technical personnel which led to a great improvement in the maintenance standards of aircraft and safety of operations. These maintenance and operating procedures were even taken note of for adoption at other units.

He worked with similar zeal and ingenuity and ensured that the training schedule of pilots on conversion was adhered to despite the low serviceability of the training aircraft. He thus substantially contributed towards the operational readiness of the fighting element. In 1977, it was decided to activate an Air-to-Air live firing range for all the fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force. This range was located within the jurisdiction of his Station which lacked many resources to meet the additional commitment. Despite these limitations, he met the assigned task to the entire satisfaction of all the operational Commands.

He introduced new welfare measures to make a congenial living at the base. He provided, among other amenities, additional married accommodation by converting, at very little cost, buildings fit for residential purposes, which had remained unoccupied for want of repairs. As a result, the morale of officers and men and civilian staff under his command has always been high.

Group Captain Kshirode Krishna Sen has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Wing Commander Appakudal Jayaraman Srinivasan was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in 1955. He has served with distinction in a Base Repair Depot, in a Research and Development Establishment and in an operational unit. He has consistently exhibited outstanding qualities of leadership and has always been engaged in inventive activity requiring initiative, intelligence and perseverance. During his last tenure at Air Headquarters, he was incharge of a Project Team, entrusted with the task of establishment of facilities for overhaul of an aircraft, its aero­engine and aggregates.

In December 1971, there was urgent requirement for development of a system to improve the potentiality of a weapon in the Service. He volunteered to take up this assignment in addition to his normal duties. This job involved experimental work in the field un-explored in the country before. As leader of the team, he shouldered the responsibility of the overall design and development and, with his inventive mind, he solved innumerable problems. At a stage, where the prospects of the project looked bleak because of disheartening results, he steered the project to success.

Wing Commander Appakudal Jayaraman Srinivasan has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Squadron Leader Sivaramakrishan Chandramouli has been serving with the Aircraft and System Testing Establishment as a Senior Test Instrumentation Engineer since January, 1972. Soon after his joining, the Unit was reorganised and its flight test commitments increased tremendously. Squadron Leader Chandramouli had no formal training as a test instrumentation engineer. By dint of hard work and deep study, he not only trained himself, but, in a short time, attained an exceptional level of proficiency in this highly specialised field. As more sophisticated aircraft and equipment were offered for trials, each task became a challenge as it posed its own special requirements of measuring

techniques and instrumentation. He successfully carried out these tasks by improvising and developing new techniques and working tirelessly totally unmindful of personal discomfort. He has done pioneering work in developing a technique to measure the effects of aerodynamic, inertial and firing loads on the suspension system of aircraft, with extremely limited resources. This enabled the carriage envelope of new stores to be fixed more accurately than hitherto. He has also carried out photographic modifications on a large number of aircraft which have been very successful in assessing release characteristics and trajectories of many new airborne stores. He is also responsible for electrical inter­phasing of new systems to the trial aircraft and many electrical modifications for the flight trials. He single handedly tackled many other tasks and was able successfully to fulfill all requirements in a short time and at a small expenditure.

Squadron Leader Chandramouli has also been directly responsible for instrumenting aircraft of the Test Pilot School and for the successful conduct of various test exercises by student officers. With his ingenuity, he has evolved a number of simple and highly successful techniques for evaluation of new electrical instruments and photo systems which have considerably improved the operational efficiency of the Air Force and performance of work in the Research and Development in the country.

Squadron Leader Sivaramakrishan Chandramouli has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Edwin Peter (3667) Accounts was commissioned in the Air Force in 1949. During his tenure at Air Headquarters as Deputy Director of Accounts from 1968 to 1972, he streamlined the organisation and procedure of accounting services. He established three separate imprests for Air Headquarters which brought accounting services closer to the place of work thereby saving several man/transport hours. The effective measures he suggested as leader of the study team on causes and cures for the delay in the finalisation of non-effective benefits, have speeded up the final settlement of accounts and the airmen are now able to get their pensionary benefits from the very month of their discharge. In recognition of these services, he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff.

In 1972, he was appointed Officer Commanding, Air Force Central Accounts Office. During the period of his stewardship of this unit, he introduced several innovations and improvements in its various departments. He restructured the procedure for operating Provident Fund Accounts which ensured prompt payment of loans, final withdrawals and final balances. He centralised a large number policies from all over the country at Delhi and devised and implemented a procedure for their direct servicing by the Air Force Central Accounts Office for the recovery of LIC premium of Flying Branch Officers.

As Director of Financial Planning at Air Headquarters since early 1975, he meticulously processed the various financial projections in the Air Force Plan. Soon after his taking over the post, APEX , Planning Group II was formed and, though new to the field, he was able to produce, with remarkable speed and accuracy, the innumerable financial statements required during its deliberations. The entire exercise to revise the plan on the basis of the APEX II report was completed under his guidance and supervision. The sixth Five Year Plan for the Air Force was drafted by him in 1977. He had to present to the Ministries of Defence and Finance a number of financial statements and arguments in finalising the draft plan.

His efforts to understand and tackle the complex fund requirements of HAL has brought about better mutual understanding of the problems of planning and budgeting for the HAL. In the field of Cost Accounting, he has extended the flying hour costing to all types of aircraft. In the area of training, in addition to costing of all regular courses in training institutions, he has undertaken and completed ad hoc costing of all courses conducted in non­training institutions. In regard to costing in Base Repair Depots, he spearheaded a Pilot Study in the field.

Air Commodore Peter has been serving as Chairman of the Air Force Sports Control Board since 1st March, 1978 and has also been the PMC of Central Vista Mess. In looking after these extra curriculum jobs, he has shown commendable management skill and efficiency. By his hard work and devotion to duty, he has managed to perform these additional tasks without affecting his primary duties.

Air Commodore Edwin Peter has rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Ripu Daman Sahni (3867), Flying, (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force in April, 1950. During his long service career, he has held a number of important assignments with distinction. He was the first transport pilot to be selected to undergo a Test Pilot's Course at the Empire Test Pilots' School in the U.K.

Air Commodore Sahni, who attained the highest professional qualifications as a transport pilot and as a flying instructor very early, was assigned to the unit responsible for rating and validation of pilots and flying instructors. He categorised over 150 pilots during that assignment. During this period, he was instrumental in drafting a document, standardising air transport operations. The measures suggested by him immensely contributed in improving the operational effectiveness of the transport force. He was intimately associated with flight development, evaluation and testing of aircraft. Starting with production testing, including the first indigenously built HS-748, he took over as the Chief Test Pilot of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited where he was intimately associated with the development of Marut and Kiran aircraft and prototype testing of the Marut Trainer. It was through the discerning investigations carried out by a Technical Team headed by him that apprehensions regarding the use of HS-748 as a public transport, were allayed.

After the Indo-Pak Conflict, 1971, Air Commodore Sahni was appointed the leader of a team of specialists to assess the effectiveness and achievements of our Air Force in the Conflict. Under his guidance and through meticulous and incisive research, the team was able to establish facts which formed the basis of a number of lessons of strategic operational importance.

As Commandant of Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment from 1974 to 1977, Air Commodore Sahni displayed excellent organisational ability and played a major role in upgrading the strike capability of combat aircraft through adaptation of modern sophisticated systems on the existing fleet. Through his pioneering work and untiring efforts, a Fixed Wing Experimental Test Pilots' Course was started at Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment. The introduction of this course reflects the professional excellence achieved by this Establishment. This has also helped in saving considerable amount of foreign exchange. Air Commodore Sahni has taken over as Director of Projects at Air Headquarters and has been monitoring and directing major indigenous projects. In his long service, he has acquired 6225 hours of flying experience on 50 different types of aircraft of which 1500 hours relate to test flying. This is a glowing testimony of his outstanding airmanship, skill and competence.

Air Commodore Ripu Daman Sahni has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Canakapalli Venkata Sesha Suryanarayana Row (4058), Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics), was commissioned in the Air Force in January, 1951. He has competently held many important appointments during his long Service career. On his taking over as Command Signals Officer in June, 1976, Air Commodore Row set to work on the development of indigenous items of signal equipment. The designs of Teleprinter Broadcast Units, Synchronous on­line Cypher Machines and Auto Message Switching Systems, prepared under his guidance, were finally accepted for manufacture. This has helped the country in conserving valuable foreign exchange. He has planned the entire teletype network for a high technology Tropo­scatter communications system, thus enhancing Service efficiency. His recent creditable achievement was the preparation of maintenance schedules for various items for Ground Electronic equipment. Air Commodore Canakapalli Venkata Sesha Suryanarayana Row has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Bharat Lal Verma (4206), Flying (Navigator), was commissioned in the Flying Branch (Navigator) of the Indian Air Force in January, 1952. Among his contemporaries, he has the maximum number (6522) of incident free flying hours to his AVSM 1980 credit. He holds category 'A' and has held the appointment of Air Force Examiner at the Aircrew Examining Board with distinction. On assuming the command of the Air Force Station, Tambaram, in June, 1977, he ensured that the entire resources were geared to meet all the flying task requirements of the Flying Instructors School. Despite intensive flying effort, not a single major accident occurred during his command of the station. All efforts were made to acquaint all personnel about the importance of flight safety and the measures to be taken in an emergency. Flight Safety was also introduced as part of the curriculum of the training at No. 2 Ground Training School where airframe, aero­engines and armament trades are taught.

The Raja Ram School run by the Unit got Government recognition due to efforts made by Air Commodore Verma. The Air Force Elementary School with teaching facilities upto Fourth Standard also developed into a wellkept and well­staffed school. By liaison with the educational authorites and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, he was able to procure not only maximum number of admissions for the Air Force children in the Kendriya Vidyalaya at Tambaram but also in the Kendriya Vidyalayas located at other places in Tamil Nadu. This went a long way in boosting up the morale of all personnel of the station.

Air Force Station Tambaram which was called up by the State Government to render emergency aid during floods in November 1977, provided in a remarkably short time, was so prompt and successful that it earned the appreciation of the Tamil Nadu Government. Similarly, the emergency aid during the cyclone in November, 1978, and May, 1979, was prompt and effective and earned the praise both from the public and the press. All this was possible because of the dedicated efforts and leadership of Air Commodore Verma.

Air Commodore Bharat Lal Verma has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Jugal Kishore Kapur, (4044) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical), was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in January, 1951. During his service career, he has held various staff and other key appointments, including that of Chief Technical and Inspection Officer at Hindustan Aircraft Limited, Deputy Director at Air Headquarters and Command Armament Officer of one of the operational Commands. He successfully AVSM 1980 completed the Post Graduate course at College of Aeronautics, Cranfield (UK) in 1963. As Deputy Director (Guided Weapons) in the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (Air), he was largely responsible for the development and establishing indigenous manufacture of a large number of items for the Guided Weapons System. In recognition of this indigensation effort, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 1974.

In September, 1976, he took over the Command of a Base Repair Depot. From the time of his taking over, the officer applied himself with exemplary zeal and shouldered the responsibility with a high degree of confidence. He not only brought about remarkable improvements in the functioning of the Depot but also more than doubled the production of aero­engines during the second half of the year 1976-77. During the year 197778, he set about tackling the various problems in order to achieve the assigned production target. He resolved the problems of shortage of spares by keeping a close watch on the availability of spares and obtaining them after exploring all possible sources. He also resorted to indigenous development and manufacture of a large number of items to meet the urgent requirements. He maintained excellent relations with the other Commanding Officers of the station to achieve maximum cooperation. His sole aim, throughout, has been to achieve the highest, production target and maintain high level of quality control and thus meet the requirements of operational units. By dint of his complete dedication, he has not only met the production target assigned for the year 1977-78, but also exceeded the target in respect of Avon engines. In 1978-79 again, the Base Repair Depot has achieved the production target.

Besides overhaul of aero­engine, the Base Repair Depot is also responsible for repair and manufacture of all types of ground equipment. In the year 1977-78, the Base Repair Depot repaired/ manufactured 878 pieces of ground equipment against the task of 218. In the year 1978-79, similarly, the Base Repair Depot repaired 1020 pieces of ground equipment to meet the urgent requirements of the operating units even though the task was only 444.

Group Captain (now Air Commodore) Jugal Kishore Kapur has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Krishna Narayana Pillai, (4874), Flying (Pilot), was commissioned in the Air Force in 1955 in the Flying (Pilot) Branch. Early in his career, he displayed his superior flying skill and was selected for the Pilot Attack Instructor's course. After successful completion of his training, he was employed on instructional duties for imparting Weapon Delivery techniques to pilots of fighter squadrons and luring that period there was a marked improvement in the Weapon Delivery accuracy of fighter squadrons. During the period of his assignment at the Aircrew Examining Board, he was responsible for motivating aircrew into accurate flying under diverse weather conditions.

In addition to his teaching and testing duties, he served as a Flight Commander in one of our frontline offensive air support squadrons. Thereafter, he has been in command of a premier fighter squadron for a full tenure and trained his squadron into a very effective fighting force. In recognition of his professional competence, he was posted as Deputy Director in the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection. In this capacity, he was largely responsible for standardising operational techniques in our fighter squadrons and generating flight safety consciousness without sacrificing operational advantages. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Group Captain Pillai has held an Air Staff appointment in an operational Command. In these duties, he has shown an equal amount of zeal and innovativenss in the operational planning entrusted to him. He has an excellent sense of anticipation and appreciation of air operations in general.

Group Captain Krishna Narayana Pillai has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Palamadai Mmhuswamy Ramachandran (4973) Flying (Pilot), has been on the posted strength of Aircraft and System Testing Establishment since February, 1976. He was commissioned in the Air Force in October, 1955. His entire service has been marked with outstanding professional competence in every field of activity that he served. Whether as a test pilot, a fighter squadron commander, a pilot attack instructor or as a staff officer, his performance has always been of an extremely high order. His devotion to duty, his courage, and his dedication to the service have already won him recognition in the form of awards of the Shaurya Chakra during the Goa Operations, 1961 and Vayu Sena Medal after three years in command of a fighter squadron from 1973 to 1976.

Group Captain Ramachandran qualified as a test pilot in the Empire Test Pilot's School in the UK in 1962. Since then, he has been closely involved with a wide variety of activities affecting the evaluation and induction of new aircraft, weapons and airborne equipment for the Air Force. He has served Hindustan Aircraft Limited on deputation as Chief Test Pilot in the Kanpur Division and has actively participated in the evaluation of several transport, trainer and fighter aircraft for the Air Force. In 1976, as a Wing Commander he took charge of the Test Pilot's School at ASTE and was responsible for the conduct of the first Experimental Test Pilot's Course to be run in this country. India is one of the few countries in the world to provide this very highly specialised form of training, and much of the credit for the success of the venture, goes to the high quality of supervision and leadership exercised by Group Captain Ramachandran. In June, 1977, he took over as the Chief Test Pilot of ASTE. Since then he has been responsible for the planning, supervision and conduct of a vast number of evaluation, development and flight trials, not only for the Air Force, but also for the Research and Development Agencies and the Space Department. He has himself been an active participant in a majority of these trials which have won high praise and recognition for ASTE both within our country and in advanced aeronautical nations with whom India maintains friendly contacts. In the course of his career, Group Captain Ramachandran has flown over 3800 hours on 50 types of aircraft. Of this, over 1500 hours have been spent in testing of almost every type of fixed wing aircraft operated by the Air Force. At all times he met the exacting demands and challenges of this type of work with extreme dedication in the interests of the nation and the service.

Group Captain Palamadai Muthuswamy Ramachandran has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Trilochan Singh, (5043), Flying (Pilot), who assumed Command of Air Force Station Hasimara on 5th September, 1977, set out on a plan to bring about all round improvement in the functioning of the Station. Besides meeting the flying task, the station achieved high standard of flight safety as well as serviceability, not only of aircraft but of all specialist and other transport vehicles. The maintenance Inspection Team from Air Headquarters were impressed by the high state of maintenance at the Station.

For his commendable skill and experience in operational flying, he was awarded Vir Chakra during Indo-Pak Conflict, 1965. He has served abroad as a Pilot Attack Instructor. He has used his flying skill and experience to train the pilots of his Station and to inspire confidence in them by frequently participating himself in the air combat and gunnery exercises. As a result, one of the supersonic squadrons from his Station achieved an overall Average Plus assessment from Directorate of Air Staff Inspection and won the Bombing Trophy in the Inter Squadron Gunnery Meet. The other Squadron at his base won the Front Gun Trophy in the same Gunnery Meet.

Under his scheme of welfare measures, he established shopping and Recreation Centres and Cinema Halls under self-financed schemes. These amenities have been adequately meeting the needs of his personnel residing at an isolated station and have helped them in keeping up their high morale.

Group Captain Trilochan Singh has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Mangalvedkar Jivanrao Vittal was commissioned in the Air Force in January, 1950, Since then, he has served as Engineering Officer of a Heavy Bomber Squadron, Officer incharge Overhaul, Repair and Maintenance of various types of aircraft in one of the biggest Repair Depots of the Air Forces, Chief Technical Officer of a major operational station, Deputy Air Attaché in the Embassy of India, Moscow, and Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of both Training and Operational Commands. At present, he is Air Officer Engineering and Systems at Headquarters Maintenance Command. At Air Headquarters, he held the appointments of Director of Maintenance Plans and Inspection, Director Armament and Safety Equipment and Director of Engineering 'A' responsible for maintenance of all types of aircraft of Soviet and East European origin. He has undergone training in inspection and major overhaul of a fighter aircraft in France. He was member of a number of Defence delegations which visited various foreign countries for evaluation of Weapon System to be inducted into the IAF.

During his tenure as Engineering Officer of the Heavy Bomber Squadron, he was called upon to fly as Flight Engineer, as there was a shortage of Flight Engineers. He undertook this assignment at his personal risk and flew approximately 250 hours. As Officer incharge overhaul at the Base Repair Depot, he undertook the task of completing the major overhaul of twelve fighter aircraft in two months without any established overhaul schedule. He successfully completed the task in time and also prepared a major servicing for the aircraft, as the schedule supplied by the foreign manufacturers was not suitable for adoption by the Indian Air Force. As Chief Technical Officer of a major Operational Station, he established the first Maintenance Control Centre in IAF for coordinating the maintenance activities of the Station. This enhanced the operational potential of the flying units located at the station and consequently similar centres were established at all flying stations. As Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of an Operational Command, he was responsible for the systematic and successful induction of two new types of aircraft in the units under the Command. Although almost half the task year was already over when he was posted as Air Officer Engineering and Systems at Headquarters Maintenance Command, by his professional competence and dedication, he achieved hundred per cent completion of the tasks by all the Repair Depots under the Command. He made significant contribution in refining the production processes and thereby helped in promoting indigenisation efforts of the Maintenance Command. He resolved major bottle­necks in production and maintained a close watch on the progress. Because of his inbred qualities of dedication and sincerity, he generated a sense of co­operation and comradeship among his men and made significant contribution towards effective operational preparedness of the Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Mangalvedkar Jivanrao Vittal has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Ram Lal Bhalla was commissioned in the Air Force in November, 1949. AVSM 1981 During his service career, he has held various important posts and was also in command of a Base Repair Depot where he was responsible, for the overhaul of mechanical transport.

He was posted as Director of Personnel (Airmen) in January, 1979. He realized that it was vitally important to retain trained and skilled manpower which was opting to leave the Air Force after completing their initial tenure. With that intention, he carried out a study and identified the areas in which there was a need to improve the career prospects and service conditions of airmen. His findings were subsequently projected through the Chiefs of Staff Committee Paper which was accepted by Government and resulted in the sanction of a large number of upgradations, increase in honorary commissions and substantial improvements in the scales of married establishment. Working with foresight, he prepared contingent plans for the implementation of upgradations and this enabled Air Headquarters to authorise approximately 10,000 promotions within a week of the issue of formal Government letter. This had tremendous effect on the morale of serving Air Force personnel. By his tremendous hard work and positive approach, he succeeded in his mission and made equal opportunities for promotion available to all airmen irrespective of their trade.

While he was at Avadi, he prepared a scheme for construction of houses for the officers and the airmen on cooperative basis. This scheme was implemented at Madras during 1978-79 and was later converted into an inter­Service Air Force and Naval Housing Scheme with the express aim of providing a house at the time of retirement to all members who made regular payments to the Housing Board. This scheme, which was his brainchild, is now growing up and various State Governments have already earmarked land for allocation to the Air Force and Naval Housing Board.

He had also observed that the number of Airmen Selection Centres was insufficient and that there were imperfections in the recruitment system. It was on his initiative that an effective and corruption free Central Recruitment Cell which has ensured good returns to the Air Force, has been organised.

Air Commodore Ram Lal Bhalla has rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Biman Kantha Mukherjee was commissioned in the Engineering Branch of the Air Force in January, 1950. In May, 1978, he was posted as Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at Headquarters Eastern Air Command. With his post graduate qualifications in Aeronautical Engineering from Institute of Technology Cranfield, Material Management Training at Administrative Staff College, Hyderabad,

Management Course at Indian Institute of Defence Management and Work Study Course at Work Study Institute, Mussorie, Air Vice Marshal Mukherjee has AVSM 1980-81 acquired high professional and Managerial competence. Endowed with these capabilities, he brought about, within a short time, all­round improvement in the maintenance activities at the Command. The insufficient serviceability of ageing aircraft, like Caribou, Dakota- Otter, Gnat and Hunter, had been causing great concern as it had considerably hampered the Maintenance and Training tasks. Even comparatively new aircraft like MiG, Avro, Chetak, Cheetah and Mi-8 were not having the desired serviceability mainly because of shortage of spares and the inadequate supply line. Through his dedicated efforts and close liaison with Air Headquarters, Maintenance Command, Equipment and Base Repair Depots and by judicious use of every available cross country flight for quick transportation of spares, he achieved high serviceability of all types of aircraft within a short period and ensured that this achievement was sustained.

With his considerable Management background, he took up the inventory control problem faced by the units, organised a thorough scrutiny of all inventories, back loading of non­moving items, weekly review of fast moving items and made the inventories small and purposeful without, in any way, affecting the serviceability of the aircraft. His other major contribution was in the field of Flight Safety. Certain aircraft like Dakota, Caribou, MiG and Chetak were having serious premature engine withdrawal problems. He introduced a system of thorough analysis of defects of repetitive nature, and not only arranged prompt defect investigation by repair agencies but also invited experts, from HAL/BRDs for on the spot discussions and guidance to operating units. Seminars on POL Quality Control with the participation by top management and experts from IOC were organised at different Units to improve Flight Safety consciousness all around.

Despite large scale disturbances, road picketing and total dislocation of supplies during 1979-80 in the Eastern Sector, he formulated his plans in advance and ensured adequate supply of fuel at all the Stations for normal flying and rations, clothing and other items of daily use for his units.

Air Vice Marshal Biman Kantha Mukherjee has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Madan Lal Sethi (4009) was commissioned as a Navigator in the Flying Branch of the Air Force in January, 1951. After early years of service in an operational squadron he was selected to undergo a specialist course abroad and utilized for training other crews in this role in India. Later he was one of the first two crews trained abroad on Jet Bomber aircraft and formed the nucleus of the newly formed conversion unit in India. He was amongst the first batch of Air Force personnel to be trained on SAGW system. As Officer Commanding of an operational SAGW squadron undeterred by hardships, he achieved the distinction of the first unit in IAF to become operational.

He has held several staff appointments. As Joint Director Navigation he formulated categorization scheme for all navigators and Air Traffic Controllers to achieve the highest standard of operations. He displayed high quality of planning and organizational acumen in formation of the integrated Area Control Centre in J&K. He has creditably commanded the largest ground training station in the IAF.

For his instructional capability of an extremely high standard, displayed as Directing Staff of the Defence Services Staff College, he was selected as Leader of the Training Team which established Air Wing of the Staff College in a friendly foreign country. In his present appointment of Director (Military) in the Cabinet Secretariat, he functions as Secretary to the Chiefs of Staff Committee and is responsible for interpreting military matters for the Cabinet Secretary to whom he directly reports. In this capacity, he also administers the Joint Planning and the Joint Communication Electronics Staff. In all these assignments, he has acquitted himself creditably.

Air Commodore Madan Lal Sethi has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Denzil Edward Satur was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Air Force in August, 1952 and has over 4000 hours of flying to his credit. During his service of about 28 years, he has handled a wide and varied range of assignments and held with distinction a number of important appointments of Squadron Commander, Deputy Director of Flight Safety at Air Headquarters, Flying Station Commander and Air I at Command Headquarters. In all the assignments handled by him, he displayed his professional skill and administrative ability and acquitted himself creditably.

In 1978, he took over the command of a major forward base in the Western Sector. He applied himself to the task of and brought about all­round improvement in the operational preparedness and administrative efficiency at his station. He also improved the working environment and living conditions and streamlined the general administration including Passive Air Defence and Ground Defence. He also ensured that the standard of administration and other welfare activities were maintained at a high level.

Air Commodore Denzil Edward Satur has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Dilip Shankar Jog was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Air Force in October, 1953. He successfully commanded a station and two squadrons and did a tenure in Directorate of Staff Inspection. He is a qualified Flying Instructor. He has a total of 4422 flying hours to his credit. In his present assignment he has flown 149 hours. He has been in command of a large flying station since January, 1979. His units include various types of sophisticated aircraft such as Canberras, MiGs, and Cheetahs. It was by his analytical approach to problems and his ingenuity to make optimum utilisation of his available resources that he made it possible to achieve operational status within a very short period. Many of the problems associated with achieving such tasks were solved by utilising required facilities available in one form or the other by the units functioning under his command. Himself a hardworking and dedicated officer, he expects similar standards from his officers and men and always goes out of his way to guide and train them to attain that standard. He maintains cordial relations with his Army and civilian colleagues.

Air Commodore Dilip Shankar Jog has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Mukund Chatterjee was commissioned in the Air Force in 1953. He has served in Squadrons, Wings and Staff appointments with distinction. His contribution as Senior Armament Officer of No. 2 Wing was significant. In 1968, he was commended by Air Officer Commending-in-Chief, Western Air Command, for his contribution in the operational preparedness of Canberra aircraft. In December 1979, he was posted as Joint Director of Engineering (C) at Air Headquarters and was assigned the responsibility of providing complete maintenance support to Gnat, Ajeet and Marut aircraft. Ajeet aircraft was introduced into the Service in November, 1978, but its gunnery system was not functioning satisfactorily. M/S. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, who were responsible for the design of this aircraft, could not rectify the defect despite their best efforts. Group Captain Chatterjee, who was assigned the responsibility to study the complete gunnery system of the aircraft and suggest remedial measures, conducted static and air­to­ground firing trials from various ranges away from his base. Eventually he succeeded in finding out the causes of the gun stoppages. After the modifications suggested by him had been carried out, the gunnery system of the aircraft has become satisfactory.

Group Captain Chatterjee has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Annaswami Sridharan was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Air Force in July, 1954. He has held various responsible posts in which he acquitted himself creditably. As a pilot, he has maintained a very high professional level throughout and has held various important jobs including those of Flight Commander, Commanding Officer of a S-22 Squadron and Officer Command ing Tactics and Combat Development and Training Establishment. He also went for an instructional tenure abroad.

In April, 1978, he took over the Command of a station in the Eastern Sector which coincided with the induction of Supersonic Fighter Squadron to the Station. It was a transport base and required re­orientation of the facilities and environment for the new aircraft. He undertook the task and despite innumerable difficulties succeeded in reorienting the air and ground environment needed for the fighter squadron within a short time. By his able leadership, he organised the whole Station to function as a cohesive and well knit unit. He also supervised all the transport operations from his base and achieved the flying task of fighters and transport units simultaneously maintaining a high degree of flight safety environment. Through his personal involvement by frequently leading tactical missions himself he inspired the pilots at the Station to achieve high standard of professionalism. He gradually achieved this goal and the same was proved when, at the Inter Squadron gunnery meet held in November, 1978, the squadron based at his Station won the Over All Trophy and Rocket Projectile Trophy.

In the field of Maintenance, he ensured the serviceability of all specialist and commonuser vehicles and aircraft. His all round high administrative performance is evident from the fact that, among other things, he took particular care to provide basic needs of accommodation, transport and other amenities to his men at the station. This ensured high morale among his men at the Station and also contributed directly to the operational preparedness of his unit.

Group Captain Annaswamy Sridharan has thus rendered distinguished, service of exceptional order.

Air Commodore Kuldip Singh Bhatia, AVSM, Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned in 1951 and has served in the Indian Air Force with distinction, ability and devotion to duty. In 1973, he was awarded AVSM for successful planning of systems design of a highly advanced communication system and Air Defence Ground Environ mental system for the Air Force.

Air Commodore K.S. Bhatia was selected for a highly specialised assignment abroad because of his exceptional expertise and achievements in planning systems. He enhanced the prestige of the Air Force by his contribution to the work of the National Radar Council, where he was called upon to head a number of important working groups with many eminent scientists as members. In 1978, though this Officer belonged to electronic stream, be was posted as Chief Engineering Officer of an operational base. He showed his exceptional ability by combining his technical skill and managerial ability and achieved a high rate of serviceability of all the Squadrons on the station on a particular day.

In 1979, he was posted to command one of the Base Repair Depots. This officer with his exceptional qualities, high level technical skill and leadership, completed the task of the Depot allotted for the year. For this achievement, the Repair Depot was awarded the 'Best BRD Trophy' for 1979-80.

During 1980 the Depot was given a challenging commitment of setting up of the Repair and Overhaul task of a new missile system. This task was completed ahead of schedule and in the very first year, one complete major overhaul was carried out on one of the systems, without upsetting the other tasks. As a result, the depot was awarded for a second time the “Best BRD Trophy" for 1980-81.

Air Commodore Kuldip Singh Bhatia has continued to achieve most outstanding results of great value to the Air Force in the various assignments given to him and has shown dynamism, tenacity and high degree of leadership. He has become a source of inspiration and an example for technical officers.

Air Commodore Kuldip Singh Bhatia, AVSM, has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commdore Upkar Singh, AVSM (4658) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 16 Jan 54. In the early stages of his career, he became known as a highly competent fighter pilot and there were many predictions made on his future value to the Service. These Predictions have been translated into facts purely because of his professional quality, his progressive attitude and his special flare for fine, enlightened leadership.

He commanded a MiG-21 Squadron, filled several operational staff appointments and because of the distinguished quality of service, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1971.

In 1978 he was posted to command a large MiG fighter Wing in the Northern Sector. There were twelve lodger units on the base and it was expected that both operational and administrative health of the Wing would progress satisfactorily under his control.

In the event after two years under his command, the Wing has attained standards far in excess of what was expected. For two years running, the base has won the trophy for Best Operational Wing in Western Air Command, and the MiG Squadrons it houses have flown the most in the Command with the least accident rate, also for two years running. Administrative activity and the management and generation of amenities has also been of positively outstanding quality. In fact, this base has won the WAC trophy for the 'Best Wing in Administration' in 1980. These achievements imply a consistently high performance and created attitude on the part of most of its personnel over a very wide spectrum of activities. In this connection, the enthusiasm and cheerfulness of Personnel at all levels in noteworthy and is a powerful manifestation of superior leadership.

The Wing has become a show piece in the Command and figures in the tours made by most foreign dignitaries to Air Force units and in the various demonstrations laid on for visiting professional teams.

It very clear that the outstanding conditions of the Wing is a source of pride to the service and is almost wholly attributable to the outstanding abilities and leadership of Air Commodore Upkar Singh, who has thereby set a very fine example of how a senior commander should operate.

Air Commodore Upkar Singh, AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Mahendra Singh Rao Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 15 Jul 1950. Since then he has served as Engineering Officer of transport as well as fighter Squadrons, Officer-in-charge Avro Assembly, Chief Technical Officer of a large fighter base, Deputy Air Attaché in the Embassy of India at Paris, Officer Commanding of an important Base Repair Depot, Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of Central Air Command and recently he has taken over as Air Officer-in-Charge of Engineering and Systems at Headquarters Maintenance Command. Air Vice Marshal Rao is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and he successfully completed Senior Defence Management Course at the Institute of Defence Management.

Air Vice Marshal Mahendra Singh Rao was closely associated with the maintenance planning for introduction of new types of fighter as well as helicopters. His contribution was of immense value for the smooth introduction of four different types of Fighters, Transports and Helicopters in the Indian Air Force during its formative years.

Air Vice Marshal Mahendra Singh Rao during his tenure as Officer Commanding of the Base Repair Depot successfully completed the challenging task of meeting the production targets of a large number of rotables for our aircraft. AVSM 1981-82

He not only brought about remarkable improvements in the functioning of the BRD but also carried out modifications of far reaching strategic importance on two types of front line fighter aircraft.

Air Vice Marshal Mahendra Singh Rao was Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of Central Air Command from November 78 to June 81. During this period the air officer had contributed significantly to the overall improvement of aircraft serviceability in the Command. He had done this by keen and deep personal involvement in maintenance matters to keep aircraft flying to the maximum extent possible. The aircraft fleets in the Command included Canberras and Packets which are very old aircraft.

Notable achievements in the maintenance field are the clearance of prolonged aircraft on ground (AOG aircraft). In 1979 and in 1980 a very large number of aircraft, which had been on prolonged AOG were cleared.

Air Vice Marshal Mahendra Singh Rao has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Nirmal Chandra Suri, VM Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 15th March, 1952 and has over 4700 hours of flying to his credit. During his tenure of about 30 years he has handled a wide and varied range of assignments and held with distinction a number of important positions including command of two front line fighter squadrons, examiner in the Aircrew Examining Board, Deputy Director and Examiner in the Directorate of Air Staff Inspections, Director of Air Defence, Director of Intelligence, Station Commander and Air Officer Commanding, of a large Air Force Station. It is to his credit that in all these important assignments handled by him, he has left his mark with his hard work, intelligent and analytical approach, drive and initiative, professional skill and administrative ability. While commanding an operational fighter squadron he was personally involved in the modification for release of armament stores from the type of aircraft in his squadron, thereby enhancing its fire power. This major modification had not only enhanced the fire power of the Indian Air Force but also saved a large amount of foreign exchange.

He has been in command of a large Air Force Station, since January 1979. During this period there has been significant and noticeable improvement in the performance of all operational, technical and administrative AVSM 1982 activities. These improvements have come about in great measure due to his keen involvement in all the multifarious activities of the Wing. A system of making a comparative assessment of performance of all units in this command was instituted in 1979 and trophies awarded to winners. Of the trophies awarded for 1979 his Station has won the trophy for being the best station in maintenance, best in administration and also for best in sports. Its performance in 1980 resulted in the award for best overall in the Central Air Command again going to his Station, and it also the won the best in maintenance trophy.

Air Vice Marshal Nirmal Chandra Suri, VM, has thus rendered distinguished service of exceptional order.

Air Commodore Arvind Dalaya was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in January, 1951. His first posting was to a fighter Squadron where he was assessed as an above average pilot. After this he completed a tenure as a Flying Instructor. Later he had the distinction of commanding three helicopter units and was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1965 for his participation in the Sialkot Sector. He was also assessed as an exceptional helicopter pilot.

Shortly afterwards, he commanded an establishment which was responsible for the receipt assembly and air test of the then latest fighter aircraft being acquired by the Air Force from abroad. All these aircraft were delivered to the earmarked Squadrons on schedule and without a single accident. For his dedicated work, he was commended by the CAS in 1971.

Immediately after this, he was entrusted with a task to carry out trial landings on water in the Chetak helicopter for the first time. He completed these trials single handed, and without sophisticated aids, on the Arabian Sea and evaluated the performance of the helicopter for landing on water. He then trained the entire newly formed helicopter unit in this task in order to enable them to operate at Bombay High.

In 1977, he was given command of a large Air Force Station. In this assignment, due to his total involvement in every aspect of the functioning of the Station, he ensured that the multifarious commitments and functions entrusted to the Station were always accomplished with a high degree of efficiency. It was during this period that the Station was called upon to assist the flood victims of Delhi area. It was because of his untiring effort and inspired leadership that prompt relief measures were undertaken to provide succour and rehabilitation to the affected villagers. His efforts earned the Air Force the praise of the public as well as the press.

In January, 1979, he took over as the Director of Personnel Services at Air Headquarters, an appointment responsible for a varied spectrum of activities ranging from Ceremonials, Publicity, Welfare, Honours and Awards, Bands, Catering, Dress, Disciplinary cases, Appeals, Writ Petitions, Provost, Benevolent Fund, Central Welfare Fund, etc.

Inspite of the heavy pressure of work involved, he always displayed a capacity for sustained and systematic hard work to achieve results.

Air Commodore Arvind Dalaya, VM, has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Sudarshan Lal Dutta was commissioned in the Flying (Navigator) Branch of the Indian Air Force in July, 1954. Right at the start of his career, he showed a great potential, when with hardly one year of service he was adjudged Cat 'A' Bomb Aimer by Armament Training Wing. Since then he has flown over 4700 hours in a variety of Bomber, Interdictor and Transport aircraft. He has had the rare distinction of obtaining the highest professional category possible on all these aircraft. As a Navigator and Bomb Aimer, he led his Squadron(s) in a number of Joint/Combined exercises, Fire Power Demonstrations and Republic Day Flypasts with distinction.

During the period 1948 to 1962 he flew a number of operational missions as escort to a Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. Later, as a member of our Canberra Detachment which was part of the United Nations Forces in Congo, he displayed rare courage and dedication by flying as many as 30 Operational missions.

In 1963, he was specially selected for assignment in Air Headquarters Communications Squadron because of his professional excellence. He was probably the first Navigator from Bomber Stream to be selected for such an assignment. During his long stay with Air Headquarters Communications Squadron, he was Navigation Leader for three years and held Cat 'A' (highest possible) on all the transport aircraft held on charge of the Squadron.

In June, 1976, then Group Captain, he was posted as Station Commander, Air Force Station, Begumpet where besides Ab initio training of Navigators and Air Signallers, Advance Navigation Courses are also conducted. As a Commander, he displayed rare qualities of leadership and inspite of limited resources all the assigned tasks including requirements of Flight Safety were met in full. Notwithstanding his onerous responsibilities as a Commander he set a personal example in professionalism by continuing to maintain Cat 'A' in Transport Support role.

It was during his tenure as Station Commander that coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh were hit by a devastating cyclone in November 1977. As overall in charge of Air activity in support of rescue operations, he, with his exemplary zeal, exceptional devotion to duty, initiative and capacity for hard work, ensured successful completion of this tremendous task.

In September, 1979, he was posted to South Western Air Command in his present assignment as Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration. In this appointment, he has displayed great initiative, devotion to duty and professionalism. During this period a number of Squadrons and new Weapon Systems were inducted in this Command - some of these at very short notice. Credit for successful accomplishment of these tasks goes entirely to his leadership and meticulous planning.

Air Commodore Sudarshan Lal Dutta has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Padam Sen Kapur, took over as Air Officer Logistics Management at HQ Maintenance Command with effect from 4 August 1980. His area of responsibilities covered inventory management of first and second line spares held at stock holding depots, Air Stores Parks and third and fourth line spares held at Overhaul Supply Depots and Support Wings of BRDs. He also looked after the mechanical transport requirements of Maintenance Command units and Repair and Overhaul of Specialist MT vehicles. In addition he was entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining close liaison with HAL Factories, Air India, Indian Airlines and other Public Sector undertakings.

His in­depth knowledge on all logistic activities like ware­housing, storage, maintenance, provisioning, inventory management and control, transportation, purchase procedures etc. was the basis for making major recommendations and forwarding the proposals which have led to an improvement in the working of logistic functions in this Headquarters and have also contributed in achieving economy and optimal supply system in the Air Force.

Air Commodore Padam Sen Kapur, VSM, (Retd.) has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Pynummoottil Simon George has been Air Officer Commanding of one of the operational Wings. The Wing is responsible for exercising operational and functional control over Fighter Squadrons, Helicopter Unit, Air Observation Post Flight and Range Unit. Under his command the Wing has steadily registered an all­round increase in operational preparedness. There has also been a marked increase in the utilisation rate of aircraft. The flying environment has improved and this has enabled the Squadrons to fulfill training tasks/exercises. A Fighter Squadron and a Helicopter Unit have won squadron of the year' trophies. All flying units have attained Fully Operational and Instrument Rating status. The Wing was able to achieve the laid down percentages of serviceability in respect of all aircraft. A high Radio Navigational and serviceability was maintained throughout the year. MT serviceability was optimum. During this short span of time, the Wing was able to complete all works services sanctioned within the specified frame which resulted improved water supply, power supply, recreational facilities, working environment and living conditions. Resurfacing of link taxi track was also completed and an independent feeder line from nearby city was commissioned. Nonpublic funds registered a large growth rate. Air Commodore Pynummoottil Simon George has brought about worthwhile changes in day to day functioning of the Station and the quality of life of personnel due to his steadfast performance of duties.

Air Commodore Pynummoottil Simon George has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Eric Lionel Allen, VM was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in October, 1953. He was posted to a Fighter Squadron and on completion of his tenure was detailed to undergo the Flying Instructors Course. On completion of his Instructional tenure the officer held a number of varied posts, distinguishing himself not only by professional competence but also by outstanding administrative ability.

He commanded a front line fighter squadron where he accomplished enhanced operational preparedness and all round efficiency. Subsequently as the Command Training Officer (Flying) in Headquarters Training Command, Air Commodore Allen with meticulous planning and optimum utilisation of aircraft, manpower and equipment reshaped the training, achieving creditable results without compromise in the training standards.

In recent years Air Commodore Allen was in Command of an Operational Signals Unit. Immediately on taking over the unit he was faced with various Operational Maintenance and Administrative difficulties due to the unit's location, in extremely difficult terrain. Air Commodore Allen with great determination and unflinching devotion to duty organised the unit to meet the existing and changing challenges with limited resources at his disposal. With dedicated hard work, he brought the unit's operational effectiveness to its peak, despite constraints of communication, maintenance and manning. During his tenure there was a vast improvement in the operational functioning of the unit, in that the serviceability of radar was maintained at 99.2 per cent and outstanding categorisation of Fighter Controllers was achieved, by imparting continuous theoretical and practical training, and the Operation Room was re-organised to meet operational commitments.

Air Commodore Eric Lionel Allen, VM, has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain P. M. Sundaram has held a wide variety of appointments as a specialist medical officer in the Indian Air Force. He has been in charge of the Department of Acceleration Physiology at the Institute of Aviation Medicine, Bangalore from 1969 to 1971 and again from 1973 to 1975. During his tenure at the Institute of Aviation Medicine he has carried out many research projects independently which are of direct benefit to the Air Force. His work led to the standardisation of the technique of determination of G threshold of pilots which is currently being followed. In this study he was also able to establish a correlation between Pilot's G threshold and their anthropometric measurements. Group Captain P.M. Sundaram completed the project on design and development of the Universal cockpit at the Institute of Aviation Medicine which is a versatile tool for human engineering problems in relation to fitness of aircrew with disabilities.

During his tenure as DPMO (Aviation Medicine) at Western Air Command, Group Captain Sundaram was responsible for streamlining the Casualty Air Evacuation Procedures and was instrumental in bringing out the publication of Casualty Air Evacuation which is still in current use. He carried out a survey of survival packs with a view to provide aircrew with all survival aids in the event of an emergency situation. Similarly he also carried out a detailed study of use of ear defenders by personnel so as to contribute to the hearing conservation programme of the Air Force.

Group Captain P. M. Sundaram has also successfully completed the tenure as Officerin­Charge Aero Bio Engineering Unit in the R & D Organisation. During his tenure he was responsible for the development and indigenisation of various items of flying clothing, safety and survival equipment. More particularly it was during his tenure that indigenous oxygen masks were produced in bulk thus saving valuable foreign exchange. Specific requirement of development of G loaded helmet for the Ajeet Aircraft was carried out under his guidance and supervision.

Group Captain P.M. Sundaram has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Brijesh Dhar Jayal was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 8 Oct 1955. His entire service has been marked with outstanding professionalism in every field of activity that he has been involved in. Whether as a Pilot Attack Instructor, a first line fighter Squadron Commander, a test pilot or as a staff officer, his performance has always been of a very high and exceptional order. As a test pilot Group Captain Jayal was associated with trials on various types of aircraft. His approach to test flying has always been intelligent and constructive throughout and his analytical assessments highly valuable. He was responsible for working out the radii of action and take­off techniques in various configurations in respect of a supersonic aircraft, and successfully evolved its gunnery technique and helped in the adoption of the right and simple type of gun sight. He was responsible for pinpointing the faults of a trainer aircraft safe for flying. For his contribution in test flying he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in January 1969 and in January 1974 was awarded a Bar to Vayu Sena Medal for his significant contribution to military aviation.

Group Captain Jayal has been the leader of the Jaguar Project Team in the U.K. since April 1979. In this capacity, he has played an extremely important role in the implementation of all the agreements for the acquisition and very rapid induction of Jaguar aircraft in the Indian Air Force. Throughout the conduct of countless operational and technical aspects of this wideranging mandate he displayed an intensely farsighted anticipation, an extremely painstaking thoroughness and tremendous dedication. All his dealings with the manufacturers, their sub­contractors and the British Ministry of Defence were marked by a remarkably high degree of professionalism and negotiating skill which generated in these organizations a very high regard and admiration for the Indian Air Force. Further, his endeavours were constantly directed towards the singleminded purpose of safeguarding our long term technical and financial interests in the execution of this immense investment.

Group Captain Brijesh Dhar Jayal, VM & Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Srinivasan Krishnaswamy (5149) was commissioned in the Education Branch of the Air Force in April, 1956.

During more than 25 years of service; the officer has served in various assignments, initially on instructional duties at various training institutions, including the National Defence Academy and subsequently on staff appointments. While his performance, throughout, has been outstanding, his contribution to the Air Force has been of special significance in two of his important appointments.

Firstly, as Assistant/Officiating Deputy Director of Intelligence at Air Headquarters, in the early 70s, the officer, by his acumen for identifying weak areas and suggesting remedial measures, made substantial contribution towards bringing about a remarkable improvement in the security environment at various operational Stations just before the commencement of the Indo-Pak conflict in 1971. He also codified the instructions and procedures for handling the highly sensitive tasks entrusted to the Directorate of Intelligence thereby enhancing the efficacy of security/counter-intelligence operations in the Air Force.

More recently, in his present appointment as the Staff Officer to the Chief of the Air Staff, an appointment which he has held for more than three years now, the officer has brought in a high degree of improvement in the staff work by his involvement, maturity and the highest norms of inter­personal relations. By virtue of his professional and un­biased approach to the wide spectrum of subjects referred to the Chief of the Air Staff, he has rendered invaluable staff assistance to the Chief of the Air Staff.

Group Captain Srinivasan Krishnaswamy has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain, then Wing Commander, Dinanath Nadkarni, VM, was

specially selected to command, the first Jaguar Squadron. On returning to India after training he took up the task of setting up the squadron and training pilots. He worked long hours to plan, formulate and execute training of pilots, laid down drills and training syllabi. In a short period, with limited resources in terms of aircraft and associated equipment he was able to declare 12 pilots fully operational. In addition, he simultaneously undertook the training of new pilots locally, thereby saving valuable foreign exchange. During the same period he was also involved in ferrying of aircraft from UK and was largely responsible in laying down briefings, procedures and orders for safe conduct of ferries.

By his hard work and total involvement he was able to put the squadron on a very strong and firm footing in a short time. He also ensured a total flight safety environment whereby with limited resources the squadron flew well over a thousand hours without accident. Throughout Group Captain Dinanath Nadkarni has displayed remarkable qualities of leadership, dedication and loyalty of a very high order.

Group Captain Dinanath Nadkarni, VM, has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Bangalore Venkataramaiah Jaya Rao was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in August, 1951. He has held a variety of appointments during his long and distinguished career. To name a few of these he has been Deputy Command Signals Officer of an Operational Command, Technical Manager of a Base Repair Depot, Directing Staff at Institute of Defence Management, Chief Instructor at Air Force Technical College, Director of Guided Weapons Maintenance and Director of Signals (Air) at Air Headquarters and Member Air Force Expert Committee. In all these appointments he has left an indelible mark of personal efficiency, creative ability, sound technical knowledge, professional skill and devotion to service.

Air Commodore Bangalore Venkataramaiah Jaya Rao has, thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Anadi Shankar Sarkar VM was commissioned in the Technical branch of the Indian Air Force in 1952. Since then, he has held a number of important field and staff appointments at Command and Air Headquarters. Besides these, he was also an instructor in Air Force Technical College.

Air Cmde Sarkar during his 30 long years of service has held the appointments of Squadron Engineering Officer of four operational squadrons and Chief Technical Officer of four major operational bases - a rare achievement indeed which perhaps has no parallel. During the Indo-Pak conflict in 1971, he was the Chief Technical Officer of one of our forward bases, and was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for exceptional devotion to duty and inspiring leadership.

Whilst on the posted strength of Air Headquarters in 1979-80, as Director of Engineering (D), he was responsible for the re-equipment of a number of Helicopter Units with a new type of helicopter. Under his guidance overhaul facilities for the new helicopter and its engine were set up. Large numbers of equipment and machinery required for the overhaul line were indigenously procured and even modified wherever necessary thereby saving a large amount of foreign exchange.

Since December, 1980, Air Commodore Sarkar has been the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of South Western Air Command. During this period, the force structure has undergone a complete change. But for his forward planning guidance and monitoring, it would not have been possible to absorb these changes in such a short period of time - a factor so essential for the preparedness of an operational Command.

Air Commodore Anadi Shankar Sarkar has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Shyam Chand Mehra was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 26th February, 1952. He has been employed in various operational units of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished work in enhancing the operational capabilities of SAM system in 1971-72 he had been awarded Vishisht Seva Medal. As Chief Instructor at a Guided Weapons Training Institute he did a commendable job in organising and imparting effective training in a short period. On completion of a course in the USSR on a newly included Surface to Air Guided Weapons system he was graded exceptional “Chief Engineer". He organised the complete training syllabus of this new system and successfully conducted two courses without the USSR assistance. The standard of training was later highly appreciated by a team of Russian specialists.

As Command Signals Officer of Western Air Command, since March 1981 he has streamlined the existing communications, navigational aids and radar systems to a stage of very high efficiency for operational use. He was also assigned the additional responsibilities of maintenance of ground support equipment and armament facilities, which he discharged excellently.

Throughout his long career the Air Officer had displayed a very high degree of dedication and technical ability. His untiring efforts have improved technical ability of personnel, increased serviceability of the sophisticated equipment and by innovation saved foreign exchange.

Air Commodore Shyam Chand Mehra has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Man Mohan Sinha, VM, was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in January 1953. Ever since he has held various important appointments like Aide­de­Camp to the President of India, Officer Commanding of a Fighter Squadron, Directing Staff at Defence Services Staff College, Chief Instructor at Joint Air Warfare School, and Officer Commanding of a major Air Base. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has set high standards of professional skill, dedication to duty and impeccable personal conduct.

Since February 1980, Air Commodore Sinha has been in command of major Air Force Base. Under his guidance and efficient management the tasks set for the base have been achieved in time. Trainee pilots coming for conversion have completed their training as scheduled. Under his dynamic leadership the flying effort increased by about 15% between 1980- 81 and 1981-82. The Gnat Squadron won the Eastern Air Command Inter­Squadron Weapons Meet Championship, while the Target Towering Unit won the Air Force Flight Safety Trophy for transonic type of aircraft for two consecutive years. In September, 1980, flood relief operations conducted under his personal supervision, earned the appreciation of the State Government.

Air Commodore Man Mohan Sinha, has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Kotarapurath Govind Mohandhandra was commissioned in the erstwhile Administrative and Special Duties branch of the Indian Air Force in 1952 and had specialised in Air Traffic Control duties. During his long service he has held important appointments on staff, as well as in the field.

During the hostilities in 1962, being posted at a forward Air Base in the North Eastern Section, he was entrusted with the task of co­ordinating airlift of troops to the forward areas, and co­ordination of the task of return of own Prisoners of War, which he achieved successfully showing a commendable degree of administrative ability, foresight and tact. Again in 1971, he was specially associated with the operational planning of the Airborne operations AVSM 1983 North of Dacca. He subsequently moved to Dacca to Command the IAF element when he rendered valuable professional assistance to the newly formed Bangladesh Air Force.

While serving in Air Headquarters it was under his stewardship that a categorisation scheme for ATC Officers was introduced for the first time. This has gone a long way in enhancing the safety of operational environment.

In recent years as Provost Marshal of the Air Force, Air Cmde Mohanchandra displayed great maturity and competence in handling the multifarious facets of his responsibilities. Since 1981, he has been Senior Officer-in-charge Administration South Western Air Command. Air Commodore Kotarapurath Govind Mohanchandra has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Jagdish Kumar Seth, VM was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1953. During his service career, he has held many important and coveted appointments which have included Officer Commanding, Aircrew Examining Board, OC Flying Station, and Director Operations (T&M) at Air Headquarters and Air Adviser in the Indian High Commission in London. He has flown over 7300 accident free hours, which include 1570 hrs of operational flying over the most hazardous terrain of Himalayas apart from 1400 instructional hours. From April 1979 to September, 1982 as Air Adviser in the Indian High Commission in London Air Commodore Seth was particularly successful in maintaining personal rapport and friendly relationship with the Liaison Staff and Senior Officers of the Royal Air Force. By his tact and exemplary personal conduct, he was able to generate extremely warm and friendly feelings among officers of the country of accreditation, as well as with those of the diplomatic corps. In handling all his work, he showed a very balanced mind, correct approach, mature attitude and objectivity, following the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Air Commodore Jagdish Kumar Seth has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Inder Dev Bhalla has served the Air Force with distinction for 29 years. He was awarded the Sword of Honour on his commissioning in October, 1953 and had also achieved the highest professional flying qualifications within the next five years. Later he successfully commanded Air HQ Communication Squadron and a flying station with élan and high degree of professionalism. He has flown 7696 accident free hours on the most modern transport aircraft in the Air Force. This includes 1275 hours on instructional duties and 4489 hours on VVIP/VIP flights.

Since December, 1980 as Director of Operations (Transport and Maritime), he has used his rich and diverse professional experience and problem solving ability to effectively utilise the large transport and helicopter fleet for undertaking standing air force tasks as well as in aid to civil authority. He has helped lay down operational training policies in order to improve our operational capabilities. He has inducted two new types of aircraft into the service in a highly competent manner.

Air Commodore Inder Dev Bhalla has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Amolak Ram Anand joined the Army Medical Corps December, 1950 and was graded as specialist in pharmacology on 23 January 1958.

While in Army, he commanded a 700-bed hospital of chronic patients with distinction and brought in many innovative improvements in care and rehabilitation of patients. He also held the appointments of ADMS of a Division, DDMS of a Corps. Eventually he was reverted to the Air Force as Air Commodore and appointed as PMO of Western Air Command. Here he contributed significantly towards aircrew care and improvements in health and hygiene standards of Stations under Western Air Command. He showed great initiative, dedication and drive in two medical magazines titled SWASTHYA and TRISHUL HEALTH CHRONICAL. Both the magazines are of a very high standard.

Air Commodore Amolak Ram Anand has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Shreepad Achyut Ranade was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in December, 1950. During his long Air Force career he has held posts of Assistant Director (Stores) in DR&DL, Command Accounts Officer, HQ Western Air Command and Director of Air Force Group Insurance.

As Director of Air Force Group Insurance Group Captain Ranade set about the job with total dedication and made it his purpose to improve the functioning of the Society and the Services it renders to its members.

He was the first to initiate the deposits in Public Sector undertakings, which gave a return of 40% above deposits in banks. With painstaking care the officer collected and sifted data and worked out the details of Post Retirement Insurance Scheme, 1981 and the enhanced Insurance Scheme, 1982 both of which have been heartily welcomed by members thus meeting a much­felt need. Deeply concerned over the lot of members and their families who due to unfortunate circumstances become ineligible to the benefit of Group Insurance Scheme, the Officer set up an Ex­gratia Award Fund to give succour to these disabled personnel and bereaved families. He also rationalised the internal processes of the Society so that survival benefit is paid to a member on the last day of his service and the TB patients are paid disability benefits before they leave hospitals.

Group Captain Shreepad Achyut Ranade has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.