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Air Commodore Prashant Mukund Vithalkar
| Service No & Branch | 17855 F(P) | Stream :Helicopters |  | |||||||||
| Date of Birth: -- --- ---- | Commissioned: 14 Jun 1985 | Course: 135 Course | ||||||||||
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| Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "P M Vithalkar" | ||||||||||||
| Dates | Rank | Unit | Location | Appointment | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jun 1988 - 28 May 1990 | Fg Offr | No.114 Helicopter Unit | Squadron Pilot | ||
| 18 Aug 2003 - 15 May 2005 | Wg Cdr | No.112 Helicopter Unit | Yelahanka | Commanding Officer | |
| 22 Jun 2009 - 31 Jan 2011 | Gp Capt | 39 Wing | Udhampur | Station Commander | |
| 01 Feb 2011 - | Air Cmde | Western Air Command | Delhi | Air-II | |
| 01 Feb 2013 - | Air Cmde | Integrated Defence Staff | New Delhi | DACIDS (Adm) | |
| Incomplete Information? Additions? Corrections? Please download Template File and follow instructions. | |||||
Awards and Decorations
Number of Awards: 2
| Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) | ||||
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| Wg Cdr | Prashant Mukund Vithalkar | 17855 F(P) | Award Date | Announced 26 Jan 2006 |
| Details : | Wing Commander Prashant Mukund Vithalkar (17855) Flying (Pilot) has been posted to a Helicopter Unit, as Commanding Officer since 18 Aug 2003.The Unit conducts pilot conversion, ab-initio training of Flight Engineers, Flight Gunner's and Right Hand Seat Check Pilot courses on Mi-8 helicopter and undertakes operational requirements assigned hy Air HQ/ HQ TC, IAF To achieve these tasks, the quantum of flying besides being almost twice that of any other helicopter Unit in IAF, is extremely demanding. Under his dynamic leadership, Wg Cdr Vithalkar has consistently ensured timely completion of all the courses conducted in the Unit with high quality of training, which was endorsed by the Aircrew Examining Board. His proactive approach and outstanding management ability has ensured that the Unit was able to sustain accident/ Incident free flying for two consecutive years and was awarded the Flight and Maintenance Safety trophy for the year 2003-04.In Dec 2004, the Unit was tasked to provide succour for the Tsunami relief operations. Wg Cdr Vithalkar, as a commanding officer was able to muster six helicopters in less than 24 hours, fully equipped to undertake relief operations both in India and Srilanka. At the end of Op Sea Wave, the Unit had airlifted total of 82,800 kg of relief load, 213 casualties/passengers in 154 sorties amounting to 101 hours. The task undertaken by IAF helicopters was highly commended by the Sri Lankan Air Force,During Aero-India-2005, he was designated as the Chief Security Officer. The international airshow of this magnitude required enormous Involvement from planning till execution encompassing security arrangements, traffic circulation and parking arrangements. He successfully mobilised the resources to provide flawless security and uninterrupted traffic flow for safe conduct of the airshow, which was attended by over three lakh people and dignitaries from all walks of life. He was also the project manager to oversee the renovation of old HU building and construction of allied infrastructure for foreign aircrew coming to the airshow. The officer displayed utmost involvement and ensured timely completion of the work services and subsequent preparation of the venue befitting the foreign aircrew.For his exceptional devotion to duty, exemplary leadership and consistent endeavour to achieve excellence, The Hon'ble President Is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Prashant Mukund Vllhalkar. | |||
| Unit : 112 HU | ||||
| Reference : Gazette of India dated 18th March 2006 - No.30-Pres/2006 dated 26th January 2006 & AFD2006 Investiture | ||||
| Vishist Seva Medal | ||||
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| Air Cmde | Prashant Mukund Vithalkar | 17855 F(P) | Award Date 26 Jan 2013 | Announced 26 Jan 2013 |
| Details : | Air Commodore Prashant Mukund Vithalkar, VM (17855) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a pilot in the flying branch on 14 Jun 85. During the past 27 years of his distinguished service, he has held several important appointments including Commanding Officer of a Mi-8 helicopter unit, Team Leader of a Helicopter Project Monitoring Team and Station Commander of a frontline flying base. He has over 5300 h of flying to his credit on various helicopters in the lAF He was appointed as Air-Il at HQ Western Air Command on 01 Feb 11. He has ensured achievement of air maintenance task for two consecutive years despite of constraints pertaining to reduced availability of aircraft resources. Due to his proactive approach, the helicopter and transport fleet operations have been accident free. This was made possible by maintaining continuous channel of communication with Commanders in the field and passing on of Aviation Safety advisories on regular basis. Air Cmde Vithalkar has consistently worked towards enhancing operational status of the squadrons! units in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) despite reduced availability of flying effort for training. Special Heli Borne Operations and armament camps were organised by pooling-in of scarce resources in a realistic Air Defence! Attack Helicopter threat environment. The successful participation by the lAF aircraft in the Air Force Day, Republic Day Flypasts has been appreciated by all dignitaries and audience alike. The setting up of helicopter patrol for Delhi Integrated Air Defence Centre (DlADC) during many of the National occasions has contributed towards the Air Defence of national capital. As Air ll, his ability to plan, organise and conduct smooth operations has been on display in many of the bi-annual Command level Exercises and Indian Army Commands Exercise with Troops (EWTs). He has been responsible for induction of C-130 J aircraft (ac) and Mi-17 V5 helicopters in the AOR which involved overseeing readiness of infrastructure for induction as well as training programme for safe and early operationalisation of the new raisings. A close monitoring of projects by him has paved way for future inductions of ac in the. AOR like WIP helicopter and C-17 Globemaster ac. In addition, smooth merger of IL-76 Sqns and operationalisation of IL-78 ac from two different bases in the AOR has been noteworthy. The transport and helicopter assets have been effectively utilised for the move of fighter squadrons, air armament, Air Defence assets as well as maintenance support for operations. A fortnightly maintenance courier services to Base Repair! Equipment Depots have been instituted which shall help in upgrading the serviceability status of all the fleets in the AOR. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Air Cmde Prashant Mukund Vithalkar, VM. | |||
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| 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/17855
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.