Squadron Leader Rajiv Kumar Lakhwara is an experienced pilot with over 900hours on Badal aircraft and is also an A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor.

On 14 Jun 84 he was authorised to fly an air combat sortie as No 2. Just as the aircraft got airborne, the Senior Flying Supervisor in Air Traffic Control noticed that the Starboard main wheel had separated from the undercarriage, leaving only the ceramic disc attached to the undercarriage oleo leg. This was communicated to the pilot who took stock of the situation and decided that he would, as is permitted, land with the main undercarriage selected up and the nose wheel down.VM (G) 1986-87

Throughout this critical emergency, made all the more trying because considerable time had perforce to be spent in the air, Sqn Ldr Lakhwara remained, cool, calm and collected. Though there must have been considerable anxiety in his mind, Sqn Ldr Lakhwara patiently awaited the laying of foam along the runway, orbitting overhead and burning fuel. Once he was cleared to land, he set about doing so in a highly professional manner. Fuel was consumed to reduce the fire risk on landing after which he carried out an approach and overshoot. Thereafter he came into land, touching down precisely at a point just after where the foam had been spread. The aircraft landed on the nose­wheel and airbrake, travelled some 900 meters and came to a stop on the shoulder of the runway. The damage sustained was negligible.

Sqn Ldr R Lakhwara has displayed profes sionalism of the highest order. His calm demeanour, totally unfazed by the situation is worthy of emulation and is in the best traditions of the Air Force.

For exceptional manner in which Squadron Leader Rajiv Kumar Lakhwara has handled this serious emergency by which minimal damage was caused to a valuable aircraft, the President is pleased to award him the Vayu Seva Medal.