Wing Commander Rajiv Battish (16038) F (P) was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 15 June 1980. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor with over 3250 hours of flying, of which nearly 1150 hours are on Jaguar aircraft. An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College he has held various important appointments like Flight Commander of a Jaguar Squadron, Senior Flight Safety & Inspection Officer of an AF Station and Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College.

Wg Cdr Battish was appointed Commanding Officer of an Air Defence Guided Weapon Squadron on 14 Feb 2000. Immediately on assuming command, the officer has gone methodically and with great zeal in moulding his unit into a viable operational Squadron capable of meeting its assigned air defence task. He organised all available resources to ensure that his Squadron became an efficient Combat Squadron capable of inflicting serious damage to the enemy war capability. The officer is well versed with management of Pechora assets. Due to his diligent efforts, an appreciable positive change was achieved in the work culture of the engineering branch of the Squadron. Many innovative welfare measures were instituted which helped greatly in raising the morale of the Unit.

During his tenure as Commanding Officer, the Squadron has consistently completed the Command task. The Squadron participated in "Op Poorna Vijay" in May 2001 where the unit's Air Defence assets were successfully tried in the Mobile Controlling and Reporting Center role and 100 percent serviceability of the Air Defence Radar in the "Leapfrog" mode was achieved under extreme climate conditions. To cap all the achievements, the squadron is one of the rare Air Defence Squadron in the IAF to be declared fully operational by the Director of Air Staff Inspections Team in Sep 2000.

By his sound administration, professional competence, personal example and excellent leadership, Wg Cdr Battish has moulded the Squadron into an efficient Combat Unit.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Rajiv Battish.