Group Captain CN Ranganath (13471) AE (L) has, been on the posted strength of ASTE since July 1993. He has been functioning as Chief Research and Project Officer (CRPO) since November 1996. Group Captain CN Ranganath, by extensive liaison with a number of design agencies, evolved new and fool proof procedural and testing methods for expeditious clearance of trial mods.

During the year 1997, ASTE celebrated its Silver Jubilee. Throughout the year a large number of functions and events were organised. Group Captain Ranganath was the Chief Coordinator for all these functions/ events. Skillful interaction between various civil agencies and providing a disciplined leadership to different organising committee members enabled Group Captain Ranganath in successfully organizing diverse events. It was a feather in the cap of this establishment that such events were conducted with enthusiasm and finesse.

The most prestigious event of the Silver Jubilee celebration was the National Seminar on Flight Testing organised by ASTE. Flight Test experts from the USA, UK, Europe, Russia and Israel participated along with Research and Development Scientists. The Chief Guest was the CAS and the seminar was presided over by Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. To conduct a seminar of this scope, particularly in an Air Force establishment called for original, meticulous planning and dedicated hard work. The fact that it was an outstanding success, was a tribute to the organisational skills of Group Captain Ranganath. The seminar was immensely successful in projecting the high standard of professionalism of the IAF in general and ASTE in particular amongst the aviation fraternity from both India and abroad.

For his significant contribution in organising the seminar on Flight Testing and for continued distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain CN Ranganath.

Air Commodore Chinnabhandar Narasingara Ranganath VSM (13471) AE (L) was commissioned in the IAF on 01 Jul 72. He is a graduate of DSSC and is also a qualified Flight Test instrumentation Engineer (FTIE). He has held many important field and staff appointments which include Senior Test Engineer and Chief Research and Project Officer at Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), JD of Air Staff Requirements at Air HQ, Chief Engg Officer at one of the premier fighter bases in the eastern sector and Command Technical Training Officer at HQ Training Command. He was commended by the Chief of Air Staff in 1991 and was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service in 1999. Presently, he is the Air Officer Commanding of a Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Air Force Station, Sulur since 07 Mar 05. After assuming command of BRD, Air Cmde Ranganath steered the depot towards attaining the highest standards of professional excellence resulting in the depot being awarded the Best Aircraft BRD trophy in Maintenance Command for the year 2006. Under his dynamic and able leadership, wide ranging improvements have been made in the working as well as the living environment at the depot which has boosted the morale of all sections of depot personnel. His pioneering effort in providing guest hose facilities for DSC personnel and their families at the depot has been considered by AOCin-C, Maintenance Command as worthy of emulation by other units. It is entirely due to his tenacious approach and determined efforts that Sulur is the first station where the Married Accommodation Project for PBORs has been completed and taken over.

As the AOC of BRD, the air officer is also responsible for providing various administrative services to co-located Wing and its lodger units, but under the functional and administrative control of Southern Air Command. He has displayed exceptional management skills, sagacity, tact and maturity in not only providing efficient admin services but also in providing a harmonious living environment and promoting healthy camaraderie among all personnel at the air force station.

Air Commodore Chinnabhandar Narasingara Ranganath VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.