Air Commodore Keki Nadirshah Gocal has been Senior Air Staff, Officer of Headquarters Western Air Command since 30th December 1963. A competent pilot, who is at home in almost all the type of aircraft in that Command, be they fighters, bombers, transport or helicopters, he has applied his knowledge of the aircraft and their performance to good effect in the preparation of operational plans.

When hostilities between India and Pakistan broke out, the task of preparing operational plans based on the general directive of Air Headquarters fell on Air Commodore Gocal. Allocation of targets to the fighters, fighter bombers involved a thorough study of the radius of action, take off distance with different war loads in the sharply varying temperatures, the type of weapon appropriate for the destruction of the target, the amount of fuel to be carried with the particular configuration and the sortie profile in respect of the different types of aircraft employed. His duties also involved the coordination of the effort of the technical and armament staff in working out the deployment of squadrons to bases to achieve the best results. Short of hand, Gocal had to work long hours without any rest and be available for advice to the Unit Commanders. He took on all the tasks cheerfully. By making frequent and unscheduled visits to the frontline units during the operations he ensured the smooth functioning and efficient performance of the squadrons.

Air Commodore Gocal has set a very good example of selfless dedication to duty and rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.