| Details : |  Group Captain Sanjeev Kapoor (18089) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 06 Dec 1985. In 23 years of distinguished service he has held several important appointments as Flight Commander (Fit Cdr) of a Training Squadron at Air Force Academy and at Yelahanka, Fit Cdr and CO of IL-78 MKI aircraft Squadron (Sqn). He is a graduate of DSSC and is a qualified flying instructor having flown over 7300 hours of accident /incident free flying. He has been commended for his sustained hard work and selfless devotion to duty by the CAS in 2004. He was posted as the second Fit Cdr of the first flight refueling Sqn. He faced the daunting task of streamlining and executing task of mission accomplishment of relatively new role of Air to Air Refueling (AAR) operations. His professional competence and planning abilities contributed immensely in large number of aircrew of the unit gaining and improving on operational status. He had been involved in planning, coordination and execution of various long-range strike missions, Andaman Islands operations by fighters, AAR compatibility and trials of Sea Harriers of Indian Navy. He was the first pilot who was inducted during Tsunami relief operations during Dec 2004 in which the Sqn's contribution was immensely appreciated both by the service and national media. He was instrumental in planning and execution of two international exercises with Su 30s, Jaguars and Mirage 2000 aircraft viz Ex Gauda II at France and Ex Sindex 06 at Singapore. Ex Garuda 1I holds two records for the IAF, namely longest single haul by any fighter or transport aircraft of nearly 5000 Kms and for the first aerial refueling of a NATO fighter aircraft by any non-NATO country refueller. In both the above-mentioned feats he was the leader of the formation. He has also led the Republic Day flypast with Su 30s with utmost precision over Rajpath, New Delhi for three consecutive years from 2005-2007. The officer's contribution as Fit Cdr of this fledgling unit was highly noteworthy. The strong foundation he laid helped the unit to undertake multifarious tasks successfully, resulting in him assuming command of this strategic force multiplier Sqn. His operational capabilities and professionalism have been highly appreciated by Directorate of Air Staff Inspections, Command Air Staff Inspections and by Aircrew Examining Board. Under his stewardship, the unit has shifted and set up the state of art Sqn complex with hydrant refuelling, which is only one of its kind in the IAF. The sprawling Sqn premises thus created in a span of less than a year is extremely praise worthy and worth emulating. As President Mess Committee Officers Mess at Agra, he brought about noticeable and admirable changes. The Mess is fully geared to host any large event. The infrastructure added in the Offrs' Mess now caters to large number of dignitaries both national and international, visiting the airbase. His compassion and leadership qualities have led personnel of the unit trying to emulate him in the interest of the service. For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Group Captain Sanjeev Kapoor. |
