| Details : | Air Commodore Bakul Vaikunthrai Upadhyay (18281) Flying (Pilot) Air Commodore Bakul Vaikunthrai Upadhyay (18281) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a pilot in the flying branch on 07 Jun 86. A Right Hand Seat Check Pilot he has flown An-32 and IL-76 aircraft and has logged 6,900 hrs of incident free flying. He was held numerous important appointments like Flight Commander of a transport squadron, Chief Operation Officer of a transport base, Command Flight Safety and Inspection Officer at HQ Maintenance Command and Operations 11 A at HQ WAC. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College from France and was commended by Chief of the Air Staff in 1998. He assumed the command of Paratroopers Training School (PTS) on 21 Jun 10. Under his command the unit flew 5961 hrs against the allotted task of 5670 hrs and participated in all the major exercises of Central Air Command, Western Air Command and South Western Air Command. His nurturing of younger aircrew operationally resulted in 35 aircrew upgrading their Category / Instrument Rating. During his tenure, the unit had maintained one of the highest average serviceability in the in An-32 fleet. Laying special emphasis on improving the working conditions of airmen he created a ground crew rest room, provided coffee making machine, recreational facilities including dish TV and provided many other amenities. PTS has one of the oldest infrastructures, which was in urgent need of repair/replacement. He pushed for and got approved a new Parachute Packing Repair and an aircraft Servicing hangar, a new Daily Servicing Section, renovation of Ground Training Faculty hangar, frequented by foreign military dignitaries, and a servicing hangar. Due to this a positive environment was generated in the unit reflected by the unit being adjudged as 'Average Plus' by Directorate of Air Staff Inspection in 2010 and winning the 'Best Transport and Helicopter Unit' of CAC in 2010-11. He encouraged conceptual thinking for Special Operations by Transport Combat leader course. Combat Free Fall operations in mountainous terrain as part of Exercise Shock Effect were planned and executed for the first time ever. The long pending affiliation of PTS with Para Regiment to commemorate the famous Tangail Drop' materialised primarily due to his initiative. As President Mess Committee Officers' Mess he led his team to transform the environment and ambience of the Officers' Mess. The same was acknowledged by all senior officers who attended Aerospace Safety Meet and Air Defence Seminar of HQ CAC. Setting a fine example and leading from the front in Nov 2011 he successfully completed a highly challenging and physically demanding Para Basic Course on the eve of Silver Jubilee celebration of IAF Sky diving team 'Akashganga' which is placed under him. For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to duty) to Air Commodore Bakul Vaikunthrai Upadhyay. |
