| Details : | Group Captain Venugopalan Vijayan Menon (18527-S) AE(M) was commissioned in the technical branch of Indian Air Force on 17 Aug 86. He is presently posted as Commanding Officer of Maintenance Officers' Categorisation Board (MOCB). Gp Capt Menon has held appointments of Senior Engineer (Mechinical), staff at Air HO, Chief Engineering Officer (CEO) of two premier bases and Leadership Trainer at Centre for Leadership training and Behavioural Science (C-LABS)'. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College. He has been Cat A' Flight Engineer on An-32 and IL-76 aircraft. He was also an Examiner in the Aircrew Examining Board. As Joint Director at Air HO, he was instrumental in extending the Total Technical Life of MiG-21 M fleet, from 3000 to 3400 hours, enabling fleet sustenance for four more years. As CEO utilizing his analytical skills, he resolved the issue of hydraulic pump failure on MiG-21 aircraft, by modifying the maintenance procedures. During this tenure, the base was conferred with 'Best in Maintenance" trophy and this also contributed in the base being adjudged as the best fighter base by the Inspection directorate. During his second CEO tenure, he ensured high serviceability of the ageing Mi 25/35 heptr fleet. His ability to communicate and motivate enabled him to standardize and stabilize the Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Capsules. As CO, MOCB, he seamlessly merged the Categorisation of Logistics Officers. His relentless efforts enabled MOCB conduct 331 Maintenance Cat Boards in which 1767 officers were categorised. Under his guidance, Standardisation of ab-initio Aeronautical Engineer courses was formalized. Towards centralizing the resources of Inspection Branch, he led his team to relocate MOCB from Bangalore to Hindon in a seamless manner with minimal disturbance to the Categorisation process. Revision of AFO governing categorization of maintenance officers was finalized in record time. His tireless, continual and unflinching effort ensured that the task of populating the Unit Establishment was achieved and Revision of Unit Policy Page has been progressed up to MoD. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Venugopalan Vijayan Menon. |
