Air Vice Marshal Venkataraman Ramamurthy lyer (12939) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a pilot in the flying branch on 22 January 1972. He has held, amongst other appointments, the important ones of Commanding Officer of a Jaguar Squadron, Station Commander of Air Force Station Suratgarh, Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Ambala and Principal Director Personnel (Officers).

The Air Officer is currently the Commandant of College of Air Warfare (CAW). He has undergone various flying and staff courses, inclusive of the Air War College course in the USA. He also holds a double Masters degree in Defence and Strategic Studies.

The Air Officer has performed commendably during various challenging appointments he has held during his 34 years of service. Especially noteworthy were his command of AF Stn Suratgarh during Op Safed Sagar and Command of AF Stn Ambala for the entire duration of Op Parakram. He has to his credit over 3200 hrs of accident free flying on various operational and training aircraft. During his current tenure of 1 ½ years as Commandant CAW, he has incorporated significant improvements in the curriculum and conduct of courses held at CAW. The course content of Higher Air Command Course has been expanded and modified in keeping with futuristic requirements. Similarly, Joint Air Warfare Course and Weapon Employment Course have been merged by altering the conduct methodology. This has helped reduce the absence of officers from their op units from 10 weeks to 5 weeks, with no dilution of course content. Training infrastructure at the College has also been upgraded and modernized.

Air Vice Marshal Venkataraman Ramamurthy lyer has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.