Wing Commander Ajit Bhavnani has been posted as Commanding Officer of a premier frontline squadron since 28 Jan 85. As Commanding Officer of the first Vajra squadron of the IAF, his performance has been truly outstanding. Having successfully led the team of Vajra pilots trained in France, he achieved the rare distinction of planning and successfully leading the first ferry of seven Vajra aircraft from France to India. Subsequently, he was involved in the successful ferry of three more batches of Vajra aircraft flown in by his squadron. Having assumed command of his squadron, he shou ldered the major responsibility of forming the squadron and inducting a very modern and sophisticated aircraft into the IAF. With his outstanding professional ability, he performed the arduous task in the most methodical and distinctive manner.

Overcoming all the initial hurdles, he organized the available resources to build his unit into a highly operational and efficient outfit within a very short period of time. Despite severe handicaps of shortage of manpower and equipment, he motivated his squadron personnel exceptionally well which resulted in heavy flying activity. Working relentlessly, he ushered in a new era of concepts and tactics related to fighter operations. His selfless devotion to work has been an exemplary source of inspiration and motivation for his personnel. Due to his deep personal involvement and exceptionally high level of professional competence, the entire Vajra force has reached a distinctively high level of operational efficiency.

As Commanding Officer, he has displayed an exceptional high level of professional skill.

For his outstanding achievements as Commanding Officer of the first Vajra Squadron, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva medal to Wing Commander Ajit Bhavnani.

Group Captain Ajit Bhavnani has been in command of Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment since the 1st February, 1989. He was instrumental in bringing about major changes in the training curriculum of TACDE. The FCL course which had remained unchanged since its inception in 1973, was divided into specific streams for Fighter Combat Loaders and Fighter Strike Loaders. With the fast changing air environment and with the induction of sophisticated role dedicated combat aircraft, the IAF needed to channelise its combat training towards specialist role orientation. Additionally, for the very first time in the IAF, courses for fighter controllers were introduced. This significant increase in the content and versatility of training task at TACDE necessitated major changes in the training programme and syllabi. With minimal additional resources, these changes were successfully brought about in a highly professional and disciplined manner, under the able guidance and direction of Group Captain Ajit Bhavnani.

The officer has further initiated a series of innovative and urgent steps to redefine functioning of TACDE at appropriate levels. As a result of these steps, TACDE has been involved at various levels of lAF's operational functioning. At the field level, his team has interacted regularly with combat pilots and controllers, visiting all fighter bases and disseminating latest tactics, techniques and procedures which have recently been developed by TACDE. Greater emphasis on development tasks has been a hallmark of TACDE's recent achievements. At the planning level, they have been involved in providing guidelines for the operational plans at the Command Headquarters and at important forums.

Group Captain Ajit Bhavnani, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani AVSM VM (10440) F(P) was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 29 October 1966. During his distinguished service of 40 years he has held a wide range of important operational and staff appointments which include Defence Attaché to Sweden, Commanding Officer of a premier Air Force base, Director of Offensive Operations, Air Advisor to the CAS and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Personnel Officers). He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, where he served as an Instructor. He has flown a large number of combat aircraft in the lAF's inventory, and has also gained proficiency in flying helicopters and transport aircraft. Since the early years of his service, his exceptional flying skills and disciplined approach were recognized at every level. During the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict, he flew 22 operational missions on MiG-21 aircraft into enemy territory, thereby making a significant contribution to the war effort. For his dedicated efforts and high level of professional skills, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1987 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1991.

In 1984, Air Marshal Bhavnani was selected to lead the IAF team to France to fly the newly acquired state-of-the-art, Mirage 2000 aircraft. On return, he commanded the Battle Axes Squadron and equipped it with the new aircraft and was responsible for laying a strong foundation for the lAF's Mirage fleet. During his tenure as Commanding Officer of prestigious Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), he introduced a wide range of changes in the curriculum, leading to significant improvements in lAF's combat skills and orientation.

As SASO HQ CAC, sustained efforts made by Air Marshal Bhavnani ensured successful induction and operationalisation of the newly acquired Flight Refueling Aircraft, 1L-78. In February 2003 he successfully coordinated the first ever Indo-French combat exercise held at Gwalior, involving modern combat aircraft. Later, he also successfully handled the task of planning and conducting the first Indo-US air combat exercise at Gwalior in October 2003. His meticulous preparation and expert professional guidance resulted in the successful conduct of this exercise, which brought in extraordinary accolades from the US Air Force.

In his present assignment as Commanderin-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command, Air Marshal Bhavnani has initiated several important measures to optimize the integration of forces and command and control of the strategic systems with a view to increase the operational potential of the Strategic Forces.

Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.