Wing Commander Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale assumed command of a fighter squadron on 18 May 87.

He personally led an operational IRLS sortie over the border in Siachen area in Aug 87. Under his Command, the performance of the unit had been exemplary during EXHAMMER BLOW and EX-SURAKSHA II.

Wg Cdr Gokhale took personal initiative and established a new approach to the TRS (turn round servicing) on a MiG variant reducing the TRS time by half. Wg Cdr Gokhale has been instrumental in identifying, initiating and implementing a major modification of the MiG variant which in the near future will allow an armament recorder camera to be fitted.

For his significant contributions to the operational preparedness of the squadron and dedication to duty, the President is please to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale.

Air Commodore Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale, VM (11630) F (P) was commissioned as a pilot in the flying branch on 02 Jun 1968. He has been an instructor both at FIS and DSSC. He was awarded the Vayu Seva Medal while commanding a fighter sqn. He is a graduate of Air War College, USA. He has also served as Defence Attaché in Indian Embassy at Cairo. He has flown various types of aircraft and has about 3700 hrs of incident free flying. Presently, he is commanding a major fighter base.

Air Cmde BN Gokhale possesses exceptional managerial skills, which he has effectively put into use. He has activated the parallel taxi track, south dispersal and under ground base operations, all of which were lying unused for a long time. He provided impetus to the maintenance activity. For the first time inventory control was carried out resulting in very high and sustained serviceability of both Jaguar and Mi-8 fleet at the base.

During last year's flash floods in Eastern UP Air Cmde Gokhale promptly responded to the call of the Civil Administration. Under his able leadership the station carried out two months of sustained relief operations providing succour and relief to lakhs of hapless and marooned masses. This was appreciated by the Prime Minister of India himself.

With his sustained efforts and close liaison with Civil authorities the station reacquired over fifty acres of land which had been encroached upon. He is also responsible for activating Darbangha airfield, which was lying unused since long.

Air Commodore Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale AVSM VM (11630) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on 02 June 1968. In a distinguished career spanning four decades, the Air Marshal has flown more than 3700 hrs on various fighter and trainer aircraft. He has had a rich and varied experience covering a gamut of operational, staff and instructional tenures. He is a Cat A2 Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. The Air Officer has commanded a frontline fighter squadron and a prestigious Air Base operating Jaguars and Mi-8 aircraft. Besides instructional tenures at Air Force Academy and Flying Instructors' School, the he has served as a qualified flying instructor on deputation to the Iraqi Air Force. The Air Marshal is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, an alumnus of Air War College, USA and a Fellow of the Aeronautical Society of India. He has been a Directing Staff at the Staff College and an Inspector at Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI). He has served as Defence Attaché in the Embassy of India Cairo, Egypt. He has also been Air Advisor to Chief of the Air Staff. During the Indo-Pak war of 1971 he flew several operational air-to-ground attack missions. For his professionalism and distinguished service, the Air Marshal has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1990 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2000.

As Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Operations, the Air Marshal had played an important role in planning and execution of air operations, including Op Parakram. He had coordinated the induction of the SU 30 MKI, Embraer aircraft and the Air-to-Air Refueller aircraft. His meticulous planning facilitated the enhancement of UAV capabilities of the IAF and formulation of tactics for Beyond Visual Range combat. He was the architect of a large number of international exercises conducted during this period. He was instrumental in conceptualization, planning and operationalising the strategic component of lAF's weapon inventory.

As Senior Air Staff Officer and subsequently Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Training command, the Air Marshal's vision of a futuristic Training Command has led to establishment of dedicated Aerospace and IT faculties. Besides ensuring smooth implementation of a novel concept of the Just in Time Training for officers and airmen and Distance Education Scheme for in-service courses, he was the guiding force in streamlining the pilots' training.

Air Marshal Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.