Group Captain Jagjit Singh Gandyok (13216) Adm was commissioned as an Administrative Officer on 30 Dec 72. An air traffic controller of high calibre, he achieved the highest category for professional competence, Category 'A', as a young Flight Lieutenant. Thereafter, he held various prestigious appointments with distinction, including Senior Air Traffic Control Officer, Commanding Officer of an Air Traffic Radar Unit and Joint Director Personnel (Airmen) at Air HQ.

As Joint Director, Gp Capt Gandyok rationalised the manning level of Airmen and Non Combatants (Enrolled), and undertook the revision of all key Air Force Orders and Instructions pertaining to airmen. He also streamlined the selection procedure for enrolling airmen in the Air Force, which resulted in better quality of the individuals joining the service.

Gp Capt Gandyok has been on the posted strength of Air Force Station Kalaikunda as Chief Administrative Officer with effect from 10 Apr 2000. This station has peculiar problems that include maintenance of old buildings, vigorous monsoons, extensive growth of wild vegetation and shortage of electricity, thereby causing considerable hardship to the service personnel. Gp Capt Gandyok, by his personal involvement, dedication and hard work was instrumental in initiating concrete steps for solution of these problems. Besides, his personal liaison with Defence Estate Officer and District Forest Officer ensured that the Board of Officers for creating a Flight Safety Zone by removal of wild vegetation within the Air Force station was completed quickly. This would go a long way in enhancing Flight Safety by providing a bird free environment for reducing aircraft accidents. In addition, his excellent managerial skills ensured optimum utilisation of the funds allocated for maintenance activities, which directly contributed in enhancing quality of life for the personnel of the base.

For distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Jagjit Singh Gandyok.

Air Vice Marshal Jagjit Singh Gandyok, VSM (13216) Admin was commissioned

in the Administrative branch on 30 December 72. Important appointments held by him were SATCO at AF Stn Jamnagar, Joint Director Personnel Airmen (JDPA) at Air HQ, C Adm O at AF Stn Kalaikunda, PD PP&R and PD Org at Air HQ and Senior Officer in charge Administration (SOA) at HQ EAC IAF. For his distinguished service of high order, he was awarded with VSM on 26 January 2002.

Since his commissioning, he has been demonstrating his professional approach and acumen while handling key portfolios invested to him. As JDPA he was instrumental in rationalising the manning level of airmen and Non Combatants (Enrolled) at all Air Force

units. He completed the task of identifying the AF units and determining the required manning level in remarkable time. As C Adm O of a premier flying station, the administrative support provided under his guidance enabled timely creation of Flight Safety Zone with his personnel liaison with the District Forest Officer and Defence Estate Officer, This went in a long way in providing a bird free environment for reducing aircraft accidents. As PD Org he was directly responsible in coordinating RD Parade, Independence Day Parade and other national level ceremonies. The Air Force Symphony orchestra reached its prime under his guidance. He was instrumental in getting the field dress authorised for PBOR from the Govt. All the above activities ensured that the Air Force flag flew high.

The Air Officer, having taken over the appointment of SOA visited each and every station under EAC ensuring personal interaction with all personnel. Based on their feedback, a number of works services and welfare measures could be initiated at command level to improve the working environment in the North-East. A number of innovative security measure initiated were supervised by him for safe guarding the bases against ANEs and for better utilisation of human resources. He was instrumental in conducting a number of workshops within command so as to heighten the overall administrative knowledge in various field activities which has brought about synergy at work.

Through his interactive style of functioning, the Air Officer infused a new sense of enthusiasm and work culture amongst the personnel. This channelised their collective energy into solving problems through innovation and self help. A large number of welfare activities have seen a perceptible improvement in the quality of life and consequent upliftment of morale of personnel. With sincerity and dedication, the Air Officer always led his personnel from the front by his personnel example and was able to set a very high professional standard for his subordinates.

Air Vice Marshal Jagjit Singh Gandyok has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.