| Details : | Group Captain Rajendra Nalsingrao Gaekwad (17845) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as Fighter Pilot in the Flying Branch on 14 Jun 1985. He is a qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Strike Leader with over 2500 h of accident free flying. He has been the Flight Commander of two premium fighter squadrons and the Commanding Officer a MiG-27 Squadron. He has been involved with Operations at Headquarters South Western Air Command since 21 Mar 2005, initially as Ops 1B and since 01 Aug 2007 as Ops lA. At this Command, he ensured the optimal and effective utilization of Annual Armament Training Stores in a near realistic scenario. He was instrumental in enhancing the operational and training capabilities of the Air to Ground Ranges at two places by ensuring the procurement and availability of target models and target system simulations. He coordinated the MiG-27 UPG programme from this Command and was responsible for planning the procedures and modalities of acceptance and operationalisation of the ac over an extended period of two years. Beyond his normal call of duty, in the year 2005, he used his local knowledge of Ahmedabad and Baroda to coordinate the flood relief efforts of SWAC. His ability to plan, organize, coordinate and deliver was on display during the Annual Gunnery Meet, "Exercise Eklavya 2005" and also during "Ex Desert Strike", the Joint Fire Power Demonstration with the Indian Army in 'C' Range at Pokhran. This Command has the distinction of conducting simultaneous operations with both Army and Navy, in addition to simultaneous and independent Air Operations. As Ops lA, his ability to plan, organize and conduct smooth operations has been on display in all the Command Level exercises. He has conceived and successfully conducted exercises to keep all the forces of this Command at the level of desired readiness. His foresight and personal involvement has enabled this Command to perform meritoriously in all International exercises. His initiative and attention to detail has resulted in the conduct of flawless Fire Power Demonstrations in 2007 and 2009. He has been instrumental in focusing on key operational issues, analysing situations accurately and incorporating the derived lessons into workable templates for Operational employment. With his ability to stay calm and composed in difficult situations, operate at optimum efficiency for extended periods of time, and multi tasking without compromising on either quantity or quality of work, he has been instrumental in South Western Air Command conducting its operations successfully and efficiently for the past four years. For his distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Rajendra Nalsingrao Gaekwad. |
