Gp Capt Satinder Lal Sud had the honour of Commanding a prestigious Trisonic strategic reconnaissance Sqn from 23 Oct to 13 Jan 92.

On taking over as CO, he undertook the task of training pilots to ensure ops capabilities of the Sqn. He achieved this single handedly by conducting lectures and performing dual checks. He had four fully ops pilots available to him in about one and half months time.

He personally air tested all aircraft returned from Russia after MR and ensured quality control. He involved himself in technical matters and ensured that all lifed components were changed with Cat 'D' rotables on the ac going to Russia for MR thus increasing his bank of rotables and saving shipment charges.

For the Sqn detts, minimum requirement of transport support was two IL-76 ac which was reduced to one by removing inertial-nav planning equipment from the Pelong vehicle and installing the same on a trolley which could be loaded in an AN-32 ac.

Photo machine, an important equipment for strategic reconnaissance Sqn, was unserviceable for want of spare parts from Russia. He persistently explored the market for fabricating the parts indigenously. He succeeded in doing so and put the machine into fully serviceable condition.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and management skill of high order, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Group Captain Satinder Lal Sud.