Group Captain S Swaminathan was commissioned as an Engineer on 03 Jan 72. He has held the appointments of Electronics System Operator Leader, Senior Technical Officer of a Mirage squadron and Deputy Director of Electronic Warfare. He was responsible for formulation of SOP, which was widely acclaimed.

He was appointed Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station, Bidar on Oct 94. Leading by personal example, he achieved very high standard of maintenance safety. He ensured high serviceability of aircraft, to achieve timely completion of three Pilots Courses.

He contributed immensely to achieve the targets set by Command and Air Headquarters. He maintained exceptional degree of quality of training of tradesmen through regular personal interaction with the personnel. He, with his foresight, accurate planning and perseverance, was able to provide a new purpose and direction to all the technical personnel who achieved challenging maintenance and safety tasks.

For distinguished services of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Gp Capt S Swaminathan.

Air Vice Marshal Sundaresan Swaminathan VSM (13044) AE (L) was commissioned on 03 January 1972 in the Engineering branch of the IAF. In 33 years of distinguished service, he has held important appointments of Senior Technical Officer of a Mirage- 2000 Squadron, Chief Engineering Officer of a Flying Station, Station Commander/Air Officer Commanding of two Air Force Stations and Principal Director AWACS at Air HQ. He was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of high order on 26 January 1997 and commended by the Chief of Air Staff on 26 January 1993.

As the Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station, Bidar, he coordinated all engineering activities related to the formation of Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team. High quality maintenance practices introduced by him, with his engineering acumen and personal involvement, continue to help the Surya Kirans bring laurels to the IAF in India and abroad. As Station Commander, AF Station, Dalhousie, he personally located P-18 radar at a height of 9100 ft for the first time, which provided vital air defence coverage during Op Parakram.

In January 2002, on a specific assignment by the CAS, he designed and modified one Dornier and four Avro aircraft using ground communication systems in a specialized airborne Electronic Warfare role. Successful flight worthy modification was possible due to the high level of ingenuity, professional excellence and system integration caliber of the Air Officer. The system provided very important operational role during Op Parakram. This indigenous modification saved the exchequer a substantial amount in foreign exchange to avoid import of a similar system as also a large amount of expenditure towards modification by HAL.

As Principal Director, AWACS, Air HQ, with his excellent professional and management skills, he concluded contracts for procurement of many vital systems like Aerostat radar, AWACS aircraft and other air defence radars in a short span of 18 months. As Air Officer Commanding, AF Station, Jalahalli he instituted effective steps to provide high quality of training and also improvement of overall quality of life to the trainees. He played a pivotal rote in the introduction of 'Just-InTime Training' for all electronic trades.

In the present appointment, despite severe constrains of remote locations, adverse weather and poor connectivity, with his absolutely professional command and control over all maintenance activities of Eastern Air Command, the serviceability and reliability of various fleets of aircraft, radars and other systems have improved to high levels. This has resulted in higher operational utilisation of the assets with better maintenance safety standards. With his active supervision and involvement, two international exercises, COPE INDIA and SINDEX, were successfully conducted at Air force Station, Kalaikunda.

Air Vice Marshal Sundaresan Swaminathan VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.