Wing Commander Avdesh Kumar Singh (11005) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force on 4 June 67. He was one of the six qualified flying instructors of transport aircraft background, who were selected to convert into fighter aircraft in 1980, he was selected to fly Jaguars which where than the latest aircraft in the inventory of the Air Force Later he took over the Command of a Jaguar Squadron in Jul 86. In spite of manpower constraints the Squadron flew a total of 5000 hrs during his tenure and for the first time since the re equipment of the Squadron with the Jaguar aircraft, over 3000 hrs were flown in a single year.

During Sri Lanka Operation he mounted a detachment at Bangalore at a very short notice and personally flew ten operational fighter Reconnaissance missions over Sri Lanka during "OP Pawan". Throughout, he has led the Squadron from the front by his personal example. He has so far flown 1300 hrs on the Jaguar and his total flying is 4800 hrs all of which is tonally accident free.

For his professional competence, sound leadership, devotion to duty, sustained hard work and his contribution towards enhancement of flight safety and operational efficiency, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Wg Cdr Avdesh Kumar Singh.

Air Commodore Avdesh Kumar Singh, VM (11005) F (P) was commissioned on 04 Jun 67. He has held the appointments of Flight Commander, Squadron Commander and Chief Operations Officer of fighter squadrons and stations, Station Commander 503 SU, AF and Air Officer Commanding, AF Station Ambala, a premier fighter base.

Air Commodore AK Singh is the only transport pilot who has successfully converted and flown fighter aircraft which is recorded in the Limca Book of Records. During 1971 operations, he took part in "Tangail Operation". He was "Task Force Commander" of Jaguar forces during the operation "PAWAN". He flew as many as 30 photo reconnaissance missions by day and by night and was awarded Vayu Sena Medal.

In the period 1990 to 1992, he was Chief Operations Officer at Air Force Station Gorakhpur. His planning and acumen was once again appreciated by AOC-in-C, WAC during his tenure as Stn Cdr, 503 SU wherein he connected all non-essential load of 503 SU to commercial power thus shutting down one Generator which gave a saving of Rs. 24 lacs per year.

Air Commodore AK Singh took over as AOC, 7 Wing, AF on 24 Jun 96. He has effected tremendous improvements in quality of life, living conditions and most importantly operations and Flight Safety. The flight safety and stringent bird control measures have paid dividends, as there has been no case of bird strike during last 12 months at the airbase.

Air Commodore A K Singh has displayed maturity, dynamism, bold initiative and a sharp analytical mind throughout his service career. He has been working single mindedly towards improving efficiency, operational preparedness and economy in expenditure in IAF. For distinguished services of Exceptional Order, the President is pleased to award "Vishisht Seva Medal" to Air Commodore Avdesh Kumar Singh.

Air Commodore Avdesh Kumar Singh, VM, VSM (1105) F (P) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Jun 67. During his thirty­two years of service, he has held important Staff and Command appointments like Squadron Commander of a fighter squadron, Chief Operations Officer, Station Commander of ADDC and Air Officer Commanding of an operational wing. During Srilankan crisis, he was appointed the Task Force Commander of Jaguar Forces. He flew thirty photo reconnaissance missions over Srilanka by day and by night. For his contribution during Srilankan crises, Air Commodore AK Singh was awarded Vayu Seva Medal.

As an Air Officer Commanding of an operational wing, Air Cmde AK Singh focused on improvement in quality of life, living conditions and most importantly, operations and flight safety. His emphasis to create awareness of flight safety have paid dividends as there was no cases of bird strike during 199697. With the recovery of eight aircraft on AOG for periods ranging from eight months to two years, the station recorded an all times record in serviceability of aircraft in the Indian Air Force. It was a creditable performance.

He is presently posted as Air­1 in Western Air Command. His notable achievements have been his major contribution towards Ex­Trishul and the ongoing Kargil crisis. His control, careful formulation of plans and execution thereof, have yielded the desired results. He was instrumental in developing connectivity of all Stations under WAC on Wide Area Network, which was tested successfully for the first time ever during ExTrishul. The system was well appreciated by all concerned and is now being introduced in other operational commands as well. By his exemplary involvement and rare dedication, he made a substantive contribution towards the operational preparedness of units/squadrons under Western Air Command. His efforts towards planning and conduct of Air Operations in the current Kargil crisis were also noteworthy.

Air Commodore Avdesh Kumar Singh, VM, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Avdesh Kumar Singh, AVSM, VM, VSM (11005), Flying (Pilot), was commissioned on 04 June 1967 in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force and has more than 5000 hrs of accident free flying on 17 different types of aircraft. He has held various Command and Staff assignments during his 38 years of distinguished service in the Air Force, which include Command of a Fighter Squadron, Commander Delhi Area Air Defence, Command of an Air Base, Air-I of Western Air Command (WAC), Air Commodore Operations at an Army Command, ACAS (Trg), Air HQ, Director General (Inspection & Safety) and SASO of WAC before taking over as AOC-in-C, WAC, IAF. He was also President, Services Sports Control Board and member of Board of Directors, International Military Sports Council.

Air Marshal AK Singh was the youngest transport pilot to participate in the historical “Tangail Operations" during the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. He is the only pilot to convert from transport stream to fighters and successfully led a Jaguar Squadron in operations. During Kargil Operations the officer, as then Air-I, Western Air Command conducted the fighter operation with astute planning and dedication, which was instrumental in bringing the engagement to a very successful culmination.

The Air Mshl, as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training), was instrumental in successfully steering the case for recognition of flying qualification of military pilots and equation of technical and non-technical training in the IAF with civil Diplomas. As Director General (Inspection &. Safety), he assumed functions of quality assurance and published a book specifying the quality of products acceptable in service which empowered the users to reject lower quality products. He was appointed as Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command, in September 04 and he organized as well as executed realistic training exercises, which contributed to the outstanding performance of IAF forces in international exercises. During this tenure Host Squadron and Armament Training Concepts were also introduced, which have resulted in enormous saving to the IAF.

As AOC-in-C, WAC the Air Marshal used his vast experience to make significant administrative improvement in the work environment and improved quality of life of personnel below officer rank. His planning and execution skill were once again put to test when Western Air Command aircraft were called for aid to civil power when 47,000 people were evacuated from Srinagar valley and Ladakh during unprecedented heavy snowfall in January-February 05. The relief and rescue operations were also carried out in Jammu area where flash floods had struck without any notice and thereafter 140 people were evacuated. It was under his able guidance and leadership that such a massive peacetime operation was carried out successfully.

Air Marshal Avdesh Kumar Singh, AVSM, VM, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.