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Air Vice Marshal Sanjay Bhatnagar

Service No & Branch 17363 F(P) Stream :Fighters
Date of Birth: -- --- ---- Commissioned: 22 Dec 1983 Course: 132 Course
Service End: Retired on 30 Aug 2020 Superannuated Nick Name :
Qualifications Held :
Remarks :
Promotions Gazetted
Sqn Ldr : 22 Dec 1994Wg Cdr : 15 May 2000Gp Capt : 03 Aug 2007Acting Air Cmde : 28 Sep 2011
Air Cmde : 09 Jul 2011AVM : 01 Sep 2017
Training and Other Courses Attended
63 NDA (Cadet) - 01 Dec 1982
Badges Qualified
 
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Air Cmde
AVM
Notes:1)Branch is at retirement and may not match with branch at Commission 2)Notional seniority is reflected in dates of substantive rank.

Appointments, Postings & Other Service Particulars

DatesRankUnitLocationAppointmentPhoto
01 Sep 2006 - 06 Jul 2008Gp Capt509 Signal UnitLaitkor Peak Station Commander
04 Jan 2013 - 18 May 2015Air Cmde46 WingNal (Bikaner) Air Officer Commanding
- AVMAir Head QuartersDelhi Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Ops Offensive
01 Aug 2017 - AVMEastern Air CommandShillong Air Defence Commander
 
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Awards and Decorations


Number of Awards: 2
  
Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Sqn LdrSanjay Bhatnagar17363 F(P)Award Date Announced 15 Aug 1999
Details :

Squadron Leader Sanjay Bhatnagar (17363) Flying (Pilot) has been on the posted strength of a Fighter Squadron wef 03 May 98. As Senior Flight Commander of the Squadron, he has looked after the planning and execution of flying operations. He has successfully maintained a very high training status of all pilots of the Squadron. This was a vital factor that enabled the Squadron to take part in Kargil Operations at short notice and adapt quickly to the terrain and task in the sector of hostilities.

During the operations he was instrumental in analysing the targets, planning the types of attacks, briefing and motivating the pilots to undertake these missions. He led the juniors by example and from the front by undertaking the difficult missions. He flew a total of 15 missions causing extensive damage to the enemy. He struck an enemy camp during a night mission on 27 Jun 99 at 0230 h at Jubar. Extensive damage was reported by our ground forces and the camp was observed burning till next morning. He displayed extraordinary stamina to work for long hours and carried out his task at the cost of risks to his own life. His meticulous planning, supervision and personal courage ensured that all the missions were launched as per plan and were able to cause maximum attrition to the enemy.

For display of extraordinary courage in the face of the enemy, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Squadron Leader Sanjay Bhatnagar.

Unit : 9 Sqn
Reference : Gazette of India dated 11th March 2000 - No.27-Pres/2000 dated 15th August 2000
Vishist Seva Medal
Air CmdeSanjay Bhatnagar17363 F(P)Award Date 26 Jan 2015Announced 26 Jan 2015
Details : Air Commodore Sanjay Bhatnagar VM (17363) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a pilot in the flying branch on 22 Dec 1983. He was holding the appointment of Flight Commander of a MiG-27 squadron that participated in Kargil operations, where he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) in 1999. He has also commanded a Missile squadron and a Radar Station. He has done a staff tenure at EAC and Air HQ and been Principal Director at Strategic Forces Command. As a Flying Officer in 1988, he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff for having successfully landed an engine crippled aircraft. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has done Staff Course and Higher Command Course. He has been awarded Aerospace Safety 3 stars for Superlative performance. Air Commodore Sanjay Bhatnagar assumed Command of a fighter air base on 04 January 2013. Under his command, MiG-21 operations were recommenced after a year long break and the Sqn was able to achieve 4500 accident free sorties in one and half years. This resulted in a large number of young pilots achieve their operational combat status. Despite the constraints of ongoing runway resurfacing in beginning 2013, the Republic Day fly past and heavy armament detachments of visiting aircraft were conducted in a safe and efficient manner. During the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection surprise visit in October 2013, station was awarded Average Plus grading in Maintenance and Administration and was appreciated for its operational outlook and air defence operations. Under his command the station has been awarded Best Maintenance Trophy in WAC and Best Station in AFNET. With close monitoring of maintenance activities and coordination with outside agencies, the station sustained 70% serviceability of its vintage MiG-21 aircraft, despite shortages of spares and support. Effective usage of soft skills, meticulous planning, innovative ideas and leading from front has helped the officer achieve improvement in quality of life leading to high morale and motivation for personnel under his command. This lead the station being adjudged the Best Overall Station of WAC for year 2013; Pride of WAC. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Air Commodore Sanjay Bhatnagar VM.
Unit :
Reference : Air Force Day Booklet
The data in the header section of this page comes from the Gazette of India - Click here to see the source
The URL for this page is http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/17363
Note: All the data available here is publicly available in the Gazette of India, published by the Indian Government, or from public domain sources, press releases about Awards and Right-To-Information (RTI) Requests. Additionally data shared by veterans is added to the page with permission. No data with respect to serving officers below the rank of AVM is displayed. Information in Gazette of India and Award citations and photographs as released by the Indian Air Force are the only details displayed.