Squadron Leader Harbans Singh Bath is an experienced helicopter pilot and very competent Qualified Flying Instructor currently holding A/Master Green CAT/ Instrument rating on Mi-8 Helicopter. He is at the moment one of the most experienced helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force and has over 5000 hours to his credit.

Sqn Ldr HS Bath was inducted into Operation Meghdoot in the month of March 84. He has been actively operating in the Siachen Glacier area and has flown as many as 170 sorties. On many occasions, Sqn Ldr Bath has undertaken flawlessly much needed air maintenance sorties under inclement weather conditions and within enemy fire to C-3 and BILLA FONDLA dropping zones and has successfully dropped the delicate and cumbersome loads like pre-fabricated huts without any damage, displaying daunt less courage and precision. Sqn Ldr Bath is one of the pilots to have undertaken trial landing at Forward Logistic Base at the height of 4.7 Kms to explore the possibilities of causality evacuations and landing supplies in extreme emergency, thus creating a world record by landing a Mi-8 helicopter at such an altitude. All these tasks involved using the helicopter at its peak performance under adverse conditions which demands a very high degree of competence and professional skill of the pilot.

Sqn Ldr HS Bath being a QFI has been responsible for the operational training of the unit pilots. It is due to his single handed effort and selfless dedication that the unit pilots could be trained in the Siachen glacier area to undertake demanding and herculean task. Throughout his stay in the unit, Sqn Ldr HS Bath has been a living example of courage, dedication and devotion to duty. He has always been a source of inspiration to the others. Putting service before self and unmindful of his personal safety he has always come out with flying colours whenever entrusted with any challenging task, no matter what the odds were.

For displaying dauntless courage, initiative, professional skill and devotion to duty of a very high order, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Harbans Singh Bath.

Wing Commander Harbans Singh Bath VM was posted on 15 Feb 88 as the first Squadron Commander of a newly raised Mi-17 Squadron. The unit became fully operational within one week of its formation.

On 21 Jun 88, the unit was assigned the task of undertaking drop sorties at Sia La, a strategic Army post situated at a height of 5.7 Kms on the glacier. It was a Dropping Zone (DZ) where Mi-17 helicopter had never operated before. Wg Cdr Bath not only carried out successful drops at Sia-La but also utilized this opportunity to train his pilots while on-the-job. Subsequently, he repeated similar feats at "Bahadur" (DZ) and "Sonam" (DZ). In Apr 89, our ground forces holding 'Thapa' ridge were critically low on rations and ammunition and were under heavy fire from enemy. This post was hazardous for helicopter operations in view of its topography and very restricted flying space. Wg Cdr HS Bath, flying through zones of enemy fire, carried out 5 missions on a single day and delivered the much needed supplies to the beleaguered contingent of our Army.

For his personal example and selfless devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Bar to Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Harbans Singh Bath.