Air Commodore Mehar Singh was a very distinguished pilot who was commissioned as General Duties (Pilot) in the Royal Indian Air Force on I August 1936. He commanded No.6 Squadron in World War II and was awarded the DSO in 1944 for distinguished performance in World War II.

During the Jammu and Kashmir Operations 1947-48, Air Commodore Mehar Singh was the Air Officer Commanding No. I (Ops) Group, RIAF While the RIAF Dakotas were flying supplies to and evacuating refugees from Poonch, one of the Indian Dakotas was hit by machine gun fire. The pilot, however, managed an emergency landing at Poonch. This incident brought home the need for arming the Dakotas. During the link-up with Punch in early 1948, Air Commodore Mehar Singh introduced the novelty of arming Dakota aircraft on supply missions. He carried out a bombing-cum-supply mission personally. This enabled the RIAF to send supplies to Poonch in armed Dakotas. In May 1948, when Leh was in desperate need of reinforcements he flew a Dakota to Leh on 24 May, hitherto considered an impossible task. Thereafter, the supplies and reinforcements arrived into Leh regularly. Leh was thus saved from capitulation.

Air Commodore Mehar Singh displayed great leadership and devotion to duty and set an example for those serving under him. He was awarded Mahavir Chakra.

Wing Commander Minoo Merwan Engineer was commissioned as General Duties (Pilot) in the Royal Indian Air Force on 1 August 1940. He was an experienced pilot flying Hurricane fighters in World War II for which he was awarded the DFC in 1945.

During Jammu & Kashmir Operations 1947-48, Wing Commander Engineer actively participated in air activity in Kashmir for nearly a year. Under his able guidance the enemy was hit hard on a number of occasions at Kishanganga Bridge, Skardu and Gilgit. During the capture of Gurais the Air Force extended very effective support to the land forces. This was largely due to the drive and initiative shown by Wing Commander Engineer in planning and directing the air operations.

Wing Commander Engineer was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for exceptional gallantry and leadership.

Wing Commander Hrushikesh Moolgavkar was commissioned in the Royal Indian Air Force on 30 November 1940. During the Second World War, Wing Commander Moolgavkar served with No. 1 Squadron and did 280 hours of operational flying in bombing, rocketing and gunnery.

During Jammu and Kashmir Operations 1947-48, Wing Commander Moolgavkar commanded No. I Operational Wing of the RIAF. He himself took to air when difficult and dangerous commitments had to be carried out. The air attacks on the well-defended Domel bridge and the Uri and Saadabad sectors were led and directed by him personally. When the enemy defences around Uri presented serious obstacles in the way of operational flights, he carried out attacks on them. The venture exposed him to grave dangers. His determination, initiative and drive enabled the RIAF to render effective support to the Army.

Wing Commander Moolgavkar was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for exceptional gallantry and leadership. Subsequently, he rose to the rank of Air Chief Marshal and became the Chief of the Air Staff. He was awarded PVSM for distinguished service of most exceptional order in 1976.

Wg. Cdr.  Sidney Basil Norohna, MVC. 1735 GD(P).
1948 Kashmir Operations
No. 7 Squadron , RIAF.

Wing Commander Sidney Basil Norohna, son of Shri A.J. Norohna, was commissioned as General Duties (Pilot) in the Royal Indian Air Force on 10 November 1941.

During Jammu and Kashmir Operations 1947-48, the Royal Indian Air Force gave effective logistic and tactical support to the ground forces against the Pakistani raiders. Wg Cdr S.B. Norohna as the commanding officer of No.7 "Battle Axe" Squadron, distinguished himself in this supporting role. He carried out more than 37 operational sorties in the Hawker Tempest fighter aircraft over enemy strongholds in close support of the Army. No.7 Squadron achieved maximum success in its offensive role in the face of very adverse conditions. He proved himself an outstanding leader both in air and on the ground.

Wg Cdr S.B. Norohna was awarded Mahavir Chakra for his inspiring leadership, determination and devotion to duty. He breathed his last on 22 August 1957, while in service.

Wg. Cdr. Jag Mohan Nath,  MVC & Bar. 3946 GD(P).
1962 Indo-China War & 1965 Indo-Pakistan War
No. 106  Squadron

Sqn Ldr Jag Mohan Nath was commissioned as General Duties (Pilot) in the Indian Air Force on 14 October 1950. A Bomber pilot by profession, Sqn Ldr Nath became an expert pilot on the Canberra Bomber.

In December 1962, Sqd Ldr Nath was Flight Commander with No.106 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. He performed a number of hazardous operational tasks involving flying over difficult mountain terrain, both by day and by night in adverse weather conditions. He displayed conspicuous gallantry and a high degree of professional skill in these operations and was awarded the Mahavir Chakra in January 1963.

During the Indo-Pak War 1965, Sqn Ldr Nath was again the Flight Commander with the Strategic Photo Reconnaissance Squadron flying the Canberra aircraft. He led his unit several times over the hostile territory to obtain vital information about the enemy. The unescorted missions, which were in the nature of reconnaissance, entailed flying long distances over the enemy territory and well-defended airfields and installations during day light. Sqn Ldr Nath was fully aware of the risk he was running on each of these missions. Still, he chose to undertake the risky missions himself. It was after great persuasion that he allowed his colleagues to do some risky assignments. The information gathered by him during his missions proved vitally important to Indian air effort. The missions enabled our Air Force to attack vital enemy targets and this adversely affected enemy's war effort. Sqn Ldr Nath was awarded Bar to Mahavir Chakra for displaying courage, determination and devotion to duty