Squadron Leader Devinder Kumar Sharma (18659) Accts was commissioned as an Accounts Officer in the IAF on 06 Dec 1986. During his initial service as Accounts Officer at Air Force Station Chandigarh, and Senior Accounts Officer at Air Force Station, Leh, he displayed a unique penchant for planning and organising and was instrumental in clearing long outstanding Audit objections. His tireless efforts, systematic professional approach and quest for excellence enabled Air Force Station, Leh to tighten budgetary control and streamline procedures for planned expenditure.

In recognition of his outstanding abilities, he was appointed Staff Officer to Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Personnel Officers). He was later chosen to be Staff Officer to Air Officer-in-charge Personnel, Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command and finally Staff Officer to Air Officer Commanding-inChief, Central Air Command. All through, the officer has discharged his duties in the most outstanding manner using well-honed managerial skills to support the functions of the Secretariat.

The officer has displayed remarkable maturity in prioritisation of tasks as well as coordination among various agencies so as to achieve the desired results quickly. He has instilled a high degree of motivation in his subordinates to achieve results much beyond the accepted norms. Polite but yet firm in dealings, he has, with great sensitivity, conveyed the directions of Air Officer Commanding-inChief to all and ensured their appropriate follow up. He possesses a great deal of professional ability, self-discipline, and capacity to understand and analyse human relations, and deals appropriately and firmly with his superiors and subordinates alike.

For distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Squadron Leader Devinder Kumar Sharma.