Wing Commander Arvind Kumar Dwivedi (16979) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the 1AF on 29 Dec 1982. He has flown 3000 h on MiG-21 and Mirage2000 aircraft. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and a Qualified Flying Instructor. In 21 years of distinguished service he has held several important appointments like Flight Commander of a fighter Sqn and Station Flight Safety and Inspection Officer (SFS10). For his zeal, professionalism and dedication to the service, he has been awarded CAS Commendation on three occasions. While working as SFS10 at AF Station, Gwalior, Wg Cdr Dwivedi created an excellent flight safety environment and brought down the bird strikes to zero thereby bringing tangible savings to exchequer. As a result, the station was awarded flight safety trophy for two consecutive years.

He took over command of the first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Sqn on 01 Jul 2002 during 'Op Parakram'. He displayed exemplary professional vision in exploiting the versatile UAVs. He contributed immensely in refining and upgrading the professional standards of op crew and ensured 100% fully ops status of the Sqn. His emphasis on training and consolidating of tech crew has ensured that all unit level maintenance activities are undertaken without the assistance of manufacturer, thereby saving precious foreign exchange. He flew more than 200 h in last one year and was directly involved in all operational missions. He played a stellar role in developing and formulating UAV tactics and Standard Operation Procedures for integrated training, joint operations and ferry of UAVs. He utilized his vast operational experience in deploying the Sqn at these different op locations in J&K sector during last one year. In addition to meeting all the Air Force tasks of obtaining target intelligence, the unit also flew operational missions in support of Army operations providing valuable and timely intelligence.

Under his supervision, the Sqn has contributed immensely towards conducting UAV Technical Type Training (TETTRA) courses despite severe constraints of manpower and resources. As a pioneer in the filed of UAV, he has presented three valuable service papers on "UAV Mission Planning in High Risk Areas", "Employment of Modern UAVs and UCAVs" and "UAV-HRD Management".

For his contribution in the field of UAVs and for distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Arvind Kumar Dwivedi.