Squadron Leader Kirti Shekhar Chaturvedi (12100) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned in Air Force in Jul 69 and has held various field appointments with distinction.

Sqn Ldr Chaturvedi was one of the technical officers trained in the USSR on Vijay aircraft. On his return, his high degree of professional knowledge was evident when asked to give presentation to the AOC-in-C South Western Air Command on aircraft sight. His questioning attitude coupled with a friendly demeanor disarmed the pilots and he obtained a wealth of information about the sight's behaviour in flight. This led to his ensuring a better maintenance of sight and consequent improvement in the Squadron Armament results. As Officer Incharge Daily Servicing Section his able leadership contributed to a high standard of morale amongst his men. His high sense of cooperation has built an unbreakable bond between the pilots and the technical team.

As Senior Technical Officer of one of the Squadrons, his tireless quest for higher standards has led to a higher state of aircraft serviceability. His positive attitude to any innovation and subsequent encouragement has led the technical tradesmen of the squadron to innovate and improve the present available resources. The Squadron has many innovations to its credit like the engine inhibiting rig for which Sqn Ldr Chaturvedi provided the guidance and patronage.

For his consistent hard work, professional skill and knowledge and for his able leadership, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Kirti Shekhar Chaturvedi.

Air Marshal Kirti Shekhar Chaturvedl VSM (12100) AE (L) was commissioned on 1969 in the AE Branch of IAF. In his distinguished 37 years of service, he has served in fighter squadrons, overhaul lines of fighter and transport aircraft, commanded Base Repair Depot of front line transport aircraft and also Radar/Communication Repair Depot. He has successfully and effectively held challenging appointments of Senior Maintenance Staff Officer and also Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance. For his distinguished service he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1986 while serving in a front line fighter squadron.

He took over as AOC-in-C Maintenance Command on 16 May 2005 Immediately after taking over the command, he reviewed the availability of operational assets at operating units vis-à-vis maintenance support being provided by Base Repair Depots, Equipment Depots and also HAL. While performance of support units within its specified task appeared to be normal, results were not commensurate to achieve desired status of operational units. With his in-depth knowledge of production at BRDs, HAL and provisioning procedure at various levels, he applied conceived measure towards formulation of production task of BRDs and provisioning norms. These measures have started showing results as the production in one of the BRD, has surpassed unit demands and no demand is outstanding. The similar status is expected to be achieved by other BRDs and HAL due to reorientation of tasks.

Indigenisation of spares was another area where additional thrust was given by the officer, including new inductions In the Air Force. These measures will assure supply of critical spares to operations units in keeping high serviceability. The task of modernisation of BRDs, which was pending for a long, has been reviewed by him with more practicable and implementable scheme, which has gained momentum. Modernisation of warehousing in Air Force has been lacking. The officer with his dynamic leadership has initiated various corrective measures in this direction too. All Equipment Depots have been provided with modern packaging equipment, which is capable of packing sophisticated Air Craft spares at much lower cost, both to packaging and transportation. For better utilisation of warehousing space, a computer based “Carousel System" has been introduced in one of the Depot on experimental basis which will lead to saving of precious space as well as man power required to handle large inventories.

Air Marshal Kirti Shekhar Chaturvedl VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exception order.