Group Captain Pramod Shankarrao Shinde (14784) AE (M) was commissioned in the IAF on 03 Jan 77. During the past 29 years he has held various important field and staff appointments. Presently, he is Chief Engineering Officer (CEO) of Air Force Station Jodhpur since 03 Jun 04.

The officer has rich and varied experience of GW System, Helicopter and Fighter stream of the IAF. He has held many key appointments as SEO of a Fighter Squadron, SPE of MiG-23 overhaul in BRD, CEO of a MiG-21 base, Commanding Officer of a BRD and C Eng O A of HQ MC. The officer a qualified Cat 'A' Flight Engineer on Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters with 1250 flying hours and AF Examiner in AEB. He was the member of the prestigious VIII Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica in 1988-89.He has passed the Technical Staff Officers Course from IAT Pune with Directing Staff grading. He was commended twice by the CAS in 1982 and 2000 respectively and by AOC-in-C WAC in 1992.

During his tenure as CO of BRD, the depot achieved highest production ever and indigenised large number of critical items, thus achieving huge savings in foreign exchange. The depot was adjudged the Best Mini BRD for the year 2000-01 and was granted ISO-9002 certification under his dynamic leadership. The officer is presently posted as CEO of premier fighter Wing and due to his professional excellence has left an indelible mark on every field of technologists' activities of the Wing. The officer inducted upgraded MiG-21 Bison aircraft and set up Bison Tech Flight with a modern avionics lab at the wing. During his tenure as CEO he improved the serviceability and condition of Common user and Specialist vehicles. During annual Command MT inspection in 2004-05 the highest assessment during previous 6 years was achieved. The Wing was also assessed as Best Fighter Station for the year 2004-05, under HQ SWAC.

MiG-27 Squadron at the base has been designated as first MiG-27 Squadron to be upgraded with modern avionics systems. The officer with his meticulous planning, professional excellence and organizational skills has completed training of air warriors on DGM and LRMTS with proper co-ordination with OEM and successfully commissioned the testers. His valuable suggestions for the work services and judicious utilisation of existing labs for installation of I level testers for MiG27 Upgrade has earned savings of approx. Rs. 3 crores. The station has achieved approx 15000 hours of flying during his tenure without any accident and NIL incident due to Human Error (Ground Crew). Under his guidance and tutelage the base has done many innovations like fabrication of tester for HF set and Radio Compass ARK-UD for MI-17, tester for R-864 HF set, tester for KOMAR-2M emergency radio set of MiG-21/27 etc. The innovations were especially praised by the CAS during his visit to base on 24 Dec 05.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Pramod Shankarrao Shinde.