Details : | Group Captain Sunil Kumar Jha (19888) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a pilot in the helicopter stream on 17 Dec 88. He has held the appointments of Flight Commander of 107 Helicopter Unit (HU) & an Indian Aviation Contingent in DRC Congo. Commanding Officer of 129 HU and Director (Projects & Inductions) at Air HQ prior to assuming command of Air Force Station Chimney Hills, Bangalore on 28 May 2012. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy Pune and a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College. Wellington. He has been commended by AOC-in-C CAC, in 2000 and the Chief of the Air Staff in 2003. As Director (Projects & Inductions). he successfully ensured the contract signatures for the additional 40 Hawk MK-132 Advance Jet Trainers (AJT) and the BrahMos Surface to Surface Missiles. Further, with his meticulous approach and foresight. he effectively supervised the post contract management and induction of 80 x Mi 17V5 Medium Lift Helicopters, 6 x C-130J30 aircraft for Special operations and 66 x Hawk AJTs, He has ably dealt with the contract clauses, training, spares support. infrastructure, offsets and inter-governmental issues pertaining to various procurement programmers. This was possible by virtue of his in-depth knowledge of the Defence Procurement Procedures and exceptional negotiating skills. His concept Paper on "Perspective of the Indian Air Force on Key Issues of Defence Acquisition and the Reform Measures Needed to Expedite Defence Procurements" has recently been published by Institute for Defence Studies & Analysis. New Delhi in their book titled "Defence Acquisitions: International Best Practices". Gp Capt Jha has the dual responsibility of Sector Commander and is responsible for providing Air Defence (AD) to Air Defence Identification Zone (South) which houses two nuclear sites protected by live AD weapons, apart from numerous other sensitive defence & civil establishments. His foresight, planning abilities and coordinating skills in providing effective AD cover during the prestigious Aero India conducted in February 2013 brought him wide acclaim. Further, with his unrelenting initiative, perseverance and leadership skills, he has ensured the completion of the long pending Boards of Officers for creation of infrastructure for Integrated Air Command and Control Systems (IACCS) standby node and for taking over of 21 acres & 25 guntas of land from Air force Station Jalahalli in consultation with the Defence Estate Officer & Karnataka Revenue Department, for construction of the node. Apart from enhancing the operational capability, through diligence and determination, he has also ensured the commencement of Cauvery water supply and the operationalisation of Independent Feeder Line for uninterrupted electricity supply to the Station. This has resulted in enhanced operational capability apart from a marked improvement in the quality of life of the Station personnel. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Sunil Kumar Jha. 135 |