Group Captain Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar (15881) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 14 Dec 1979 in the Flying branch of the 1AF. During his service career he has held various important appointments including that of Directing Staff at Tactics and Combat Development Establishment, Directing Staff at College of Air Warfare (CAW), Deputy Director Air Staff Inspection at Air HQ and Commanding Officer of a MiG-21 Squadron. He is Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College. The officer was awarded Commendation by the CAS in 1994. Presently, he is posted to HQ Western Air Command (WAC) as Ops 1A since 11 Nov 02.

During his tenure as Commanding Officer of a Mig-21 Squadron, he displayed exemplary leadership and personal involvement in bringing up the operational status of Squadron. This effort was recognized when the Squadron was nominated the best fighter squadron in WAC for 2000-2001. At CAW, he was instrumental in setting up the Historical and Air Warrior Cell.

As Ops-IA at HQ WAC, Gp Capt Kumar has shown a high level of involvement, initiative and put in a lot of hard work. He has made an all out effort to improve the operational efficiency and professionalism of all fighter Squadrons in the WAC. His interaction with the field units, initiative and anticipation of problems has helped the units concentrate on their operational tasks and reposed new confidence in the art of staff planning at the Operational level. By his involvement, active participation and dedication he has ensured correct guidance and inputs for safe and efficient conduct of fighter operations in WAC. As the Ops 1A, he efficiently coordinated conduct of "Yojna" for fighter Squadrons which included various exercises on air to ground, combat support force operations and Air Defence along with monitoring day-to-day flying of each unit. He was one of the key members of the team that was responsible for smooth and efficient conduct of command level exercise Gauntlet - 03. He displayed an outstanding grasp of the intricate task of modern warfare planning essential for Command Air Ops. As Officer in Charge Flypast, he has been instrumental in efficiently conducting Air Force Day Flypast in 2003 and Republic Day Flypast in 2004. Following Op Parakaram, WAC was given the task of enhancing the Operational potential of a few 'Core' fighter Sqns. Group Captain Kumar personally took charge of these core units and his meticulous planning, close involvement and overall supervision, ensured that the overall Operational capability of these Sqns, was maintained at a very high level.

For distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar.