Wg Cdr Balasubramaniam Shivakumar is on the posted strength of one of the Base Repair Depots of the IAF since 10 Oct 86. The officer has undergone training twice in USSR on MiG-23 variants.

On posting to BRD, Wg Cdr B Shivakumar was given the task of setting up of facilities for medium repair/overhaul of MiG-23 aircraft. During the construction stages, he suggested many changes to meet the requirements. As a result of his involvement, the aircraft production task could commence well in time.

On his return from USSR, the officer plunged into the task of medium and structural repair of damaged aircraft, he did not await the setting up of repair facilities or arrival of the Soviet specialists. His noteworthy achievements are retrieval of damaged aircraft, repair of jet nozzle contours, repair of MiG-29 drop tanks and development of a structural modification for the ventral fin of an aircraft.

Wg Cdr B Shivakumar was also involved in indigenisation/manufacturing of tools, testers and ground support equipment for which only drawings were provided by the manufacturers. In a short time he formulated syllabus and training aids for overhaul Training Flight. He trained maximum number of airmen to cope up with production task of the depot and set up repair facility in a record time. He also succeeded in achieving the completion of medium repair task during last three years despite non availability of works services and critical spares. This achievement is significant, because the first aircraft was produced one year ahead of schedule. He also completed the assigned task during 1988-90 and during 1990-91. He also completed cat 'B' repair on four aircraft during 1990-91.

For his professional skill, hard work and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr B Shivakumar.