Gp Capt Pradeep Kumar was commissioned in the IAF as a helicopter pilot on 21 June 1969. He was on the staff of the Flying Instructors School from January 1981 to December 1982. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College.

Gp Capt Pradeep Kumar took over the command of Air Force Station, Kumbhigram on 24 August 1992. Due to geographical and environmental factors the life in the Station was considered to be hard. Gp Capt Pradeep Kumar through his hard work, foresight and total involvement improved the quality of life on the station. The Station at the moment boasts of a dairy farm with abundant supply of fresh milk and various other Non-Public Fund ventures. By efficient management and reproductions in overheads the Non-Public Fund ventures on the station have shown a 100% improvement in profitability. The station now has a bio-gas plant, the produce of which is used in Airmen's Mess. Through his continuous effort he has transformed this Station which used to be covered in undergrowth to a Station where the landscape is trimmed foliage with planted trees.

During his stewardship a Helicopter Unit, which is a lodger unit of the Station, improved their operational capability and overall service ability. The unit took part in numerous counter insurgency operations with outstanding alacrity due to his overall guidance.

His eye for detailed and expert supervision has helped in saving of substantial amount of money. He optimised the use of vehicles resulting in a saving of nearly 3000 Itrs of petrol every month. During his period of command the vehicle serviceability improved to 98% against an earlier 50%. In the field of signals equipment the serviceability has been increased to nearly 100%.

For distinguished service of high order the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Gp Capt Pradeep Kumar.

Air Commodore Pradeep Kumar was commissioned in the IAF, as a helicopter pilot on 21 Jun 1969. During 33 years of distinguished service, his important Command and Staff appointments include, Commands of two flying bases and Air II of an Operational Command. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, has instructed at the Flying Instructors' School and has over 6700 hours to his credit.

As Station Commander Kumbhigram, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for overall improvements on the base. As Air II of HQ SWAC, he planned and executed a night SHBO involving 48 helicopters, in a Battalion Group drop. As DDG of Air Force Naval housing Board, he recovered Rs. six crore of bad debt, which was the hard earned money of the uniformed personnel. As AOC Yelahanka, he successfully planned and conducted the mega international Aero India show during Feb 01, involving 45 countries, thus winning laurels for the country.

He was appointed Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Record officer on 23 Jul 01. The first challenge he faced was to get Pension Payment Orders released for approx. 6000 ex airmen, who even six months to a year after their discharge had not received their pension. By working long hours, he ensured that arrears were cleared immediately; as well the system was streamlined, so as to enable each airman proceeding on discharge to get his pensionary benefits on his last day in uniform. Under his leadership the personnel of AFRO were able to pin point a serious mismatch between the induction and discharge rates of airmen and initiating suitable measures to set this anomaly right. A new promotion policy for airmen has been worked out and implemented to overcome the time frame disparities between ranks and trades. These measures have contributed immensely to the upliftment of morale of personnel.

During 'OP PRAKRAM', once in Dec 01 and again in May 02, he was entrusted with the responsibility of positioning the right personnel with right training, at right places in right numbers, along our Western Borders. This, inspite of below par manning of the Air Force, was achieved in record time, with optimal utilization of available resources, so as to ensure that Air Force was fully capable to face any challenge from across the borders.

Air Commodore Pradeep Kumar VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.