| Details : | Group Captain Rajendra Pratap Singh (18224) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of IAF on 17 Feb 86. During his service career, he has held various important appointments including Senior Engineering Officer IL-76 Squadron, SE (M)Air Force Station Agra, Joint Director Engineering at Air HQ (VB), Command Engineering Officer (B-5) at HQ MC, Chief Engineering Officer (CEO) Air Force Station Thoise, Flight Engineer Leader of Air Force Station Chandigarh and a deputation tenure at Aviation Research Centre (ARC) as Senior Engineer. He holds the credit of establishing the first Tech Flight for the servicing of IL-76 ac at Air Force Station Chandigarh and setting up of servicing facilities at ARC. Besides being trained on IL-76 / IL-78 aircraft, Gp Capt RP Singh has also been a Cat 'A' Flight Engineer on the IL-76 aircraft with more than 1500 Hours of Flying. In civil qualification, the officer holds the DGCA license of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and a MBA degree in HRM. For his dedication and devotion to duty, he was commended by the CAS in Oct 2000, Vice Chief of Air Staff in Oct 2003 and twice by the Special Secretary, ARC in the year 2005 and 2007. The reduced serviceability of ageing Russian origin fleet of IL-76 ac, undergoing a phase blemished by short spare supply from OEM and indigenous spares issues demanded a solution. Supported with rich and diverse experience of 25 years in the fleet and having understood the problem, Gp Capt RP Singh, after taking over as the CEO of one of the major transport base of the IAF initiated a drive to "Retrieve and Produce". The successful drive which was the result of his exceptional technical acumen, in-depth knowledge and a strong will to deliver produced tangible results. In that, three PS-90 aeroengines of AWACS were retrieved and repaired within a record time frame of 12 days. Four D-30 KP-2 aeroengines of IL-76 /IL- 78 aircraft, two Auxiliary Power Units and hundreds of fleet critical avionics aggregates too were retrieved. The task saved precious foreign exchange to the tune of Rs Eighty Crores to the exchequer. The IL-76 fleet serviceability was doubled in a period of six months. Three IL-76 ac which were on prolonged AOG were positioned at the OEM as per the contract. Due to his initiative, he undertook the task of "Purification of IMMOLS database". 100% census, digital photography, segregation and finally the correct database of 9000 aggregates common to IL-76, IL-78 and AWACS aircraft was created. As the CEO of AF Station Agra, Gp Capt RP Singh has been instrumental in giving new dimensions to the capabilities of human and technical resources of the base. Seventy tons of ATF, which was approved to be downgraded by Air HQ was retrieved and successfully consumed under his leadership. The successful retrieval of three Russian origin Aircraft Support Vehicles, 45 KL refueller and a storm affected Avro ac are a part of the results of officer's initiative. The leadership qualities and motivation exhibited by the officer by being present himself on the tarmac during the execution of such tasks is more noteworthy. Despite constraints, all transport ac operating from this base have achieved higher serviceability percentage. Much of the credit for this base having achieved the distinction of winning the 'Inter Command Land Line Competition' Trophy for the year 2010-11 goes to Gp Capt RP Singh. The outstanding efforts and achievements of the officer have been well appreciated at the highest levels by HQ CAC. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Rajendra Pratap Singh. |
