| Details : | Group Captain Puneet Surindernath Sarin (19073) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as an engineer in Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) branch on 07 Sep 87. During his 25 years in service, he has been posted to various fighter bases, Operational Command Headquarters, Base Repair Depots and has served as Team Leader of Indian Air force Training Team Botswana. He is on the posted strength of 11 BRD, AF since29 Mar 10 and has been functioning as Chief of Aircraft. Early in his career, the officer's efforts in streamlining second line activities helped reduce ac down time by as much as 30 %. He was part of the Team trained abroad to set up overhaul facilities for MiG-29 ac at 11 BRD in 1996. During this tenure he was involved in tasks like technology generation for TBO extension of MiG-29 ac and repairs on wing rib cracks, for which he was commended by the Chief of Air Staff in Oct 97. As Senior Engineer General Engineering Division at 11 BRD he was instrumental in indigenous manufacture of vitally required spares for overhaul of MiG-23 and MiG-29 ac. In 2002 he was deputed as Team Leader of IAF Training Team at Botswana, the efforts made in initiating maintenance ERP and implementation of QAS were appreciated by the Indian High Commissioner. His service papers on Analysis of failures of RD-33 Aero-engines in the MiG-29 Fleet and on Life extension and upgradation issues of MiG-29 ac have helped highlight issues for improvement of the fleet. The setting up of MiG-29 series upgrade line at the depot has been delayed by more than two years. To overcome these constraints the Production Division has carried out numerous life extension studies, indigenisation of spares, refurbishment of aggregates etc. The entire 1986 batch of MiG-29 ac comprising 30 ac would have been grounded but for timely completion of life extension on Ejection Seats and Landing Gears. These studies along with indigenisation of ejection seat spares have resulted in savings of foreign exchange in excess of rupees 200 crores. The focused approach to sustain production of ac and aggregates has helped both operating bases to maintain highest levels of serviceability in the IAF, even reaching 100% on more than two occasions in the past two years. As Chief of Aircraft, detailed planning has been undertaken to prepare human resource, technology and infrastructure for setting up MiG-29 Upgrade series line at the Depot. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Puneet Surindernath Sarin. |
