Squadron Leader Padamjit Singh Ahulwalia was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 2 June 1968. He served with great credit and distinction with a transonic Squadron for nearly four years, before selection for position to a high performance aircraft, where he served for two years. In recognition of his outstanding performance and ability he was awarded the Best Pilot Trophy in Command Gunnery Meet of Western Air Command event as a relatively junior pilot.

Squadron Leader Ahluwalia during a tenure with Iraq AF, successfully executed a forced landing on an L-29 aircraft. He was specially commended by the Commandingin-Chief, Iraqi Air Force for his highly professional, cool and competent handling of a grave emergency and saving the aircraft and the life of the pupil.

Squadron Leader Ahluwalia was specially selected for training abroad on a new aircraft in 1981. He was graded "Excellent" by the host authorities and once again brought great credit to IAF and the country in the eyes of a foreign Air Force. He was posted as Assistant Director Operations at Air Headquarters in March 1982 where he has been competently handling the staff work associated with the aircraft induction.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and dedication of the service, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Squadron leader Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia.

Wing Commander Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 02 Jun 68. After his short tenure of operating on high performance aircraft, Wg Cdr Ahluwalia was selected to undergo the Flying Instructors' Course. He excelled as a flying instructor and was awarded Category A-2 in recognition of his superior professional knowledge and instructional ability.

In 1976, Wg Cdr Ahluwalia was sent on an instructional tenure abroad. During this tenure, he successfully executed a forced landing of an L-29 aircraft. For his cool and competent handling of such a grave emergency and saving the aircraft and also the life of his pupil, he was specially commended by the CommanderﾃつｭinﾃつｭChief of the Air Force to which he was attached for instructional duties. He then did a tenure as Assistant Director Operations at Air Headquarters.

In 1984, Wg Cdr Ahluwalia was specially selected to undergo training in France for converting onto the Vajra aircraft. As Senior Flight Commander of the new raising, with his characteristic enthusiasm and total devotion to duty, he undertook the lion's share of the difficult process of starting the new squadron.

In recognition of the past performance in service, he was given the prestigious and onerous task of re-equipping the oldest squadron of the Air Force with the latest and most sophisticated weapon system (Vajra). Although he had just completed the trying process of setting up the previous squadron, he took on the new responsibility without any regard to his own comfort or leisure.

For his hard work, loyalty to service, devotion to duty, exemplary qualities of leadership and intelligent management techniques, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia.

Group Captain Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on the 2nd June, 1968. Throughout his career, the officer has displayed rare professionalism in both command and staff appointments. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, he is also an A2 Qualified Flying Instructor.

As a military pilot, Gp. Capt Ahluwalia showed early promise. While posted to a MiG21 FL Squadron, he was awarded the ﾃ｢竄ｬﾅ釘est Pilot Trophy" in the Command Gunnery Meet of Western Air Command. Later, on executing a forced landing in an Lﾃつｭ29 aircraft of the Iraqi Air Force, the officer was specially commended by the CﾃつｭinﾃつｭC of the Iraqi Air Force.

After undergoing training in France on Mirage 2000 aircraft, the officer was placed in command of a fighter squadron equipped with the state of art Mirage 2000 aircraft. From the beginning of the new induction, he was able to nurture the Squadron into an operational unit.

Before being posted as the Military Attachﾃδｩ in our Embassy in Japan in 1990, the officer had distinguished himself as Staff Officer to the Chief of the Air Staff. The Japanese Self Defence Agency, in its annual paper of 1990 and the Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Blue Book of 1990 had made certain adverse comments with regard to Indian Navy. Gp Capt Ahluwalia undertook the task of correcting these aberrations and projecting the correct image of our defence forces. As a result, the Japanese defence papers for 1991 completely deleted the adverse reference to Indian armed forces. He thus, removed a potential irritant in helping to build a friendlier relationship with that country.

Group Captain Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia, VM, VSM has, thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 02 Jun 68. He was deputed overseas as a Flying Instructor and specially selected to train abroad during the initial induction of high technology aircraft, MiG-23 of and Mirage2000, in the countries of their origin. He was the Commanding Officer of one of the first two squadrons converting to Mirage-2000 aircraft. The squadron was made operational in a record time to undertake a pioneering role in the field of Electronic Warfare. The Air Officer was specially selected for a diplomatic assignment abroad.

His significant contribution in improving the bilateral defence relations was highly appreciated by the Ministry of External Affairs and duly recorded.

Air Cmde Ahluwalia was appointed Station Commander of an operational forward base in 1994. The base was infamous for intense bird activity. He applied himself consistently to the daunting task of creating a near zero bird activity environment. This challenging task was accomplished in a very short time. That the station was to become a model base, speaks volumes of his exemplary leadership and single minded devotion to duty. Air Cmde Ahluwalia was appointed Air Assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff in 96. Making the best use of his operational background and logical approach, he has made an outstanding contribution by providing well thought out staff inputs for efficient decision making. He possesses an incisive ability to get to the bottom of any problem and suggest solutions. He has displayed outstanding ability for interpersonal relations and ability to deal with senior officers by establishing an excellent capability for resource management and ability to handle complex problem situations.

Air Commodore Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia, AVSM, VM, VSM, has thus rendered distinguished services of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia AVSM & Bar VM VSM (11631 Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 02 June 1968. The Air Officer has held numerous Staff and Command appointments during the course of his long and distinguished career. Amongst the important assignments held by him in the past are Commanding Officer of a frontline Mirage-2000 Squadron, Air Officer Commanding of two premier fighter bases, Diplomatic and foreign assignments, Inter-Service assignment, Director General (Inspection & Safety) at Air HQ. He is presently the Air Officer Commanding-inChief, Southern Air Command. Throughout his long and distinguished service the Air Officer has been an exceptional achiever at all levels of career progression, which is borne out by fact that the Air Officer has been decorated with VSM in 1984, VM in 1987, AVSM in 1992 and Bar to AVSM in 1997. In addition, he has also been commended by the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Naval Staff in the course of his distinguished career.

As a Fighter Squadron Commander and Base Commander the officer has displayed exceptional managerial skills and leadership qualities to ensure optimal operational status of his charge. He was commanding the premier Mirage Air Base during the Kargil conflict and modifications, innovations and tactics that were necessary to induct the Mirage-2000 into the Kargil Air Operations were prominently attributable to his leadership, foresight and exceptional professional knowledge. Undoubtedly, the individual contribution of Air Officer during the Kargil conflict was instrumental in the Mirage-2000 aircraft ach-ieving high success rates. For his tour of duty during his diplomatic assignment in Japan and Republic of Korea and as an instructor pilot in a foreign country, his outstanding professional capabilities, skills and achievements were well appreciated by those countries.

As Director General (Inspection & Safety), Air Marshal PS Ahluwalia was instrumental in crafting and executing a flight safety strategy for the Indian Air Force. The officer's perseverance and determination has indeed contributed significantly in reducing the Indian Air Force's accident rate to an all time low, thereby saving precious lives and assets.

Air Marshal Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia AVSM & Bar VM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.