Air Commodore Sadasivan Radhakrishnan VM (12408) was commissioned into the flying Branch of the IAF on 13 Jun 70. He is a qualified Flying Instructor and Fighter Combat Leader and has flown close to 4000 hours. He has held several prestigious Command and Staff appointments, including command of a MiG-21 squadron, Air Defence Direction Center (ADDC) and an Advance HQ. During his tenure, his ADDC was adjudged to be the best in South Western Air Command. He was also the Chief Instructor at the College of Air Warfare.

Air Commodore Radhakrishnan took over the command of Air Force Station, Chabua, on 01 Jan 99. At that juncture, the station was in the middle of a large-scale revival after prolonged disuse till 1996. During this difficult stage he was tasked with accelerated MiG Operational Flying training.

Realizing that it was the human element that would make the vital difference between mediocrity and excellence, he galvanized the manpower under him into action. Instituting a series for steps for close interaction between officers and other ranks, the Air Officer built up a very noteworthy camaraderie and spirit-decorps among his personnel. Simultan eously, he addressed core issues pertaining to Operations, Maintenance and Administration. The result was a quantum jump in produc tivity, as became evident from prompt task completion, extensive environmental beauti fication and accelerated completion of many on-going works services. He also brought about discernible improvements in three critical areas viz. Flight Safety, security and quality of life. During his tenure as the Air Officer Commanding, the station has maintained an excellent flight safety record. The only Cat I accident during his tenure was on 15 Mar 99 where the pilot rejected take off because of engine failure. The station has flown 17823 sorties amounting to 10160 hours since this accident. He ensured continuous productive actions to clear the flight safety zone of unwanted vegetation thus ensuring a bird free environment. Since 15 Sep 99, the last case of a bird hit, the station has flown 3985 sorties amounting to 7966 hours without an incident of bird hit.

Through his interactive style of management, Air Cmde Radhakrishnan infused a new sense of enthusiasm and purpose in his station personnel. A large number of welfare measures saw perceptible improvements take place in the quality of life and a consequent rise in the morale of his station. His close liaison with the civil agencies resulted in a marked improvements in the power situation in the station.

Air Commodore Sadasivan Radhakrishnan VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.