| Details : | Group Captain Ajay Singh Pathania (18594) was commissioned in the Flying Branch on 06 Dec 86. He has been functioning as Director Operations (Helicopters) since 04 Jun 12. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and a Qualified Flying Instructor with over 5800 hrs of flying experience on various types of helicopters and fixed wing trainer aircraft. The officer has had a variety of command, staff and instructional tenures. He has commanded a helicopter unit in the Eastern sector and a M-25 attack helicopter unit in UN.Mission Congo. He has also commanded a Tactical Air Centre in the Eastern sector and been Chief Operational Officer of an operational base in the Northern sector. He has had instructional tenures at Air Force Academy and Helicopter Training School. His staff appointments include tenures as Joint Director Personnel (Helicopters) and Director Operations (Helicopters). As Commanding Officer of the helicopter of the helicopter unit in the Eastern sector, the officer successfully spearheaded a number of operational and casualty evacuation missions in the sector. Noteworthy were the missions flown to support flushing out of militant elements from Bhutan. The officer commanded the attack helicopter unit in Congo during the Peace enforcement phase by the United Nations. He led multiple offensive missions in support of the UN mandate. This earned praise and credits from all quarters. As joint Director Personnel (Helicopters), the officer was instruments in re-charting HR initiatives towards absorbing the growth of the helicopter fleets. The initiatives have paid dividend- evident from adequacy of qualified aircrew to man the helicopter fleet which has grown exponentially in the last five years. His multi-faceted professional capabilities came to the fore during his tenure as Director Operations (Helicopters). SOPs, orders and policies for the fleet have been streamlined. Process of induction and operationalisation of the Mi-17V5 and ALH Mk 11 fleets was executed within the shortest possible timeframe. The fleets have been actively employed in a variety of operational and Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Helicopter operations as part of exercises 'Iron Fist' and 'Livewire' were overseen by the officer. Similarly, helicopter resources were efficiently managed during HADR operations in the aftermath of Uttrakhand floods, Orissa cyclone, forest fires at Mounth Japhu and Tirumala. For distinguished service of a high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Ajay Singh Pathania. |
