Sqn Ldr Ashish Kumar Saxena was commis sioned on 25 Jul 77 in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) branch of the IAF. He has been on the posted strength of a combat Squadron since 29 Apr 91 and has performed the duties of Senior Technical Officer (STO).

As STO, Sqn Ldr Saxena managed the servicing of two ageing fleets, i.e. Canberra and MiG-21 aircraft. It was largely due to his innovative approach that he could modify and made serviceable EW pod of MiG-21 which is essentially repairable at factory, thus saving approximately Rupees Thirty Lakhs to IAF. He also modified and made a preamplifier of the EW equipment serviceable which was no longer in production and no substitute was available in market. This modification was approved by Air HQrs and resulted in saving of approximately Rupees Seven Lakhs. Sqn Ldr Saxena fabricated a directional coupler which was urgently required for an operational exercise by combining some items from other equipments, thus making the pod serviceable in time.

For distinguished service of high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr AK Saxena.