| Details : | Group Captain Kalianda Appaya Muthana (16372) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot in the flying branch on 11 June 1981. A graduate of the National Defence Academy, the officer has over 3000 hrs of total service flying. The officer is a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and an Experimental Test Pilot (ETP). He has held several key command and staff appointments including that of a Qualified Flying Instructor, Test Pilot and Test Flying Instructor (TFI), Flight Commander and Commanding Officer of a fighter sqn, Project Test Pilot of an Aircraft Upgrade Project, Director of Aircraft Upgrade at Air HQ and Chief Ops Offr of a frontline fighter base. He is presently the Station Commander of Air Force Station, Nal. As a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College he holds an MSc degree from Madras University. Gp Capt KA Muthana, as a fighter pilot was assessed above average. He ensured very high training standards as a QFI and as a test pilot performed several key trials. For his performance as Flight Commander (10) of a front line fighter Sqn he was commended by the Chief of Air Staff in 1996. While on deputation to HAL (Nashik Division) as Chief test pilot he ensured very high standards of production. In 1999 he was selected to command the first Bison Sqn of the IAF The officer's vision and effectiveness directly contributed to creation and sustenance of world class infrastructure for a new type and also achieved 100% safe flying record. The officer was then handpicked as the project test pilot for the Sukhoi Upgrade programme and was instrumental in ensuring development of a potent fighter platform for the IAF As Chief Operations Officer of a frontline fighter base he managed to directly oversee runway repairs and induction of the Sukhoi aircraft while continuing unrestricted operations in a very busy civil aviation hub. The officer was appointed to command a frontline fighter base in January 2008. During his tenure, he led from the front and ensured 100% safety. The base flew over 5000 sorties under his watch and supported 14 flying detachments. Despite severe resource constraints, the base supported unhindered operations as a key detachment base for Western Air Command and mounted successive Republic Day Flypasts efficiently. The station effectively supported and sustained a Fighter Sqn, a Pechora Sqn, a Transportable Radar Unit, a Mobile Observation Flight and an Electronic Surveillance Unit. The performance of the lodger units in various inspections and exercises was of a very high order and was well appreciated. The welfare activities undertaken in the station were widely appreciated. Key upgradations of the New Station Medicare Centre, the SNCOs' Mess, Op Complexes for Sqns/Units, Weapon Storage Areas and Station HQ were realised. The station won the award for the most Energy Conscious Station of Western Air Command. For his devotion to duty of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Kalianda Appaya Muthana. |
