Wing Commander Shaymal Kumar Chakrabarty (15910) Adm/FC was commissioned in the Administrative branch of the 1AF on 15 Dec 79, and got inducted into the Air Defence stream as Fighter Controller. During his service, he has held various operational appointments, such as Chief Operations Officer of Air Defence Direction Centre (ADDC), Commanding Officer (CO) of Transportable Radar Unit (TRU), CO of Automated Control and Reporting Centre (CRC), including a tenure as Deputy Director in the CRC Development Group (CRCDG) at Ambala. Presently, he is posted as Joint Director, Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (Control & Reporting) at Air HQ. He, attained highest professional category 'AYE', and as an accomplished Fighter Controller, completed Joint Air Warfare Course with 'A' grading, Advanced Fighter Controllers course with Directing Staff (DS) grading, and qualified as a Master Fighter Controller (MFC) from Tactics and Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), again with DS grading. In May 2000, he was actively involved in carrying out the trials of the Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS), and in Sep 2000, he represented IAF, to visit France under the Indo-French Co-operation programme.

As the CO of a TRU, he initiated a number of innovations. Notable amongst these were the replacement of the Russian Cooling radiator of ST-68 radar with a Shaktiman 3 Ton truck radiator to over come the problems of clogged radiator, for cooling of ST-68 radar equipment, and also the successful installation of Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mk-X on ST-68 radar, which was subsequently incorporated in similar radar units of IAF. Under his leadership, the TRU was declared as the best radar unit, in South Western Air Command, IAF, twice in succession. While at CRCDG, he made significant contribution towards developing practical evaluation methods, which culminated in the formation of the first Automated CRC. As the first CO of this unique unit he not only operationalised the system, but also extended the air picture display and aircraft control capability to Air Defence Operations Room at HQ Western Air Command, IAF. This was made feasible by innovative use of a combination of the integral Satellite Communication (SATCOM) system of Automated CRC, the Air Defence Ground Environment System SATCOM network and Tropo communication systems of the IAF.

While remaining fully involved in such onerous task entrusted to him he did not lose sight of his responsibility of providing conducive work environment to his personnel, thereby binding them as a well-motivated and dedicated lot.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Shyamal Kumar Chakrabarty.