Wing Commander Man Mohan Upadhyaya (15907) Administrative/Fighter Controller was commissioned on 14 Dec 1979 in the Administrative branch of the IAF. During his distinguished service over 24 years he has held important appointments including of Chief Operations Officer, Commanding Officer, Fighter Controllers' Command Examiner and Project Coordinator for FADHS. He is a Master Fighter Controller. He has been commended by the AOC-in-C EAC and the Chief of Air Staff. Presently, he is posted to a Signal Unit as Chief Operations Officer wef 10 Jan 2000.

As a young Officer while working in a radar unit in East, Wg Cdr Upadhyaya took initiative which resulted in safe recovery of a Pilot who had ejected in the jungles of Nagaland at sunset time. For his alertness and quick actions he was commended by AOC-in-C, EAC in 1982. Under his dynamic leadership, a forward radar unit modified radiators of class IV vehicles for use as cooling device for the ST-68 Radar. This novel idea was subsequently circulated to all similar Radar units in the IAF. While at an Air Defence Direction Center (ADDC) in Western Sector, he systematically planned the retro-fitment of Automated Data Handling System which was made operational in a record time, for which Chief of Air Staff commended him in 1994. At Air HQs in 1997, while working on 'Project Future Automatic Data Handling System (FADHS)' which envisages the integration of AD resources, he realised that the project as per given operational requirements can not meet modern day requirements of Air Defence System. Subsequently, he authored the initial paper on concept of 'Integrated Air Defence', which now has taken the shape of Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS). He also had revised JSSG in 1996. As Chief Operations Officer of ADDC, Wg Cdr Upadhyaya has been the guiding force for smooth activation of all Air Defence elements of its vast sector on implementation of APM II. Due to his involvement and guidance this unit was adjudged the 'Best C & R Unit' in the IAF for the year 2001 and 'Best Static Radar Unit' in SWAC for the years 2000 and 2001. While implementing the FADHS project, he ensured that all the shortcomings are brought to the notice of vendors and higher authorities in the overall interest of IAF. As the project was taking long time, in order to automate the AD functions, he designed PC Based user friendly 'Ops Information System' (OIS). This system presently is in full use in certain nodal radar units. The system would automate the complete AD set up as the software is developed on server architecture for sharing the centralised database by all AD agencies. The system will bridge the gap till full fledged Integrated Air Command & Control System becomes operational.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Man Mohan Upadhyaya.