| Details : | Group Captain Sameer Madhukar Kalode (20968) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as an engineer in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) branch on 09 Sep 89. In his career spanning 25 years he has been the Senior Engineering Officer of a prestigious IL-76 squadron and has flown over 2000 hrs as Flight Signaller in IL-76/78 aircraft. He was trained abroad on IL-78MKIaircraft and achieved the distinction of being both a Cat-A Fit Sig as well as an Aircrew Examination Board Examiner. He has participated in exercises at Alaska in 2002, USA & South Africa in 2004. As SE(L) at Air Force Stn Bhuj, he was instrumental in successful conduct of Presidential Colour Presentation in 2007. He has undergone the prestigious Technical Staff Officers Course in 2009 stood first in order of merit. As Director in the Personnel Branch from 2009-13, he was responsible for HR and career planning of 2800 officers of AE(L) branch. In his present engagement as Chief Engineering Officer he has displayed extraordinary skills in fleet management wherein the three different aircraft fleets flew more than 15000 hours in last two years, thus maximizing the op potential of the base. He has organized activities of high complexity that included recovery of three AN32 ac and one IL76 on AOG. Under his guidance the base carried out the first three 900h servicings on IL76 ac and 1800h servicing on AN32 and AOG build up of a Mi-26. In addition, with his foresight and vision he set up a Maintenance Assistance Centre, wherein, 56 outstation ac were rectified/serviced at Chandigarh/ Srinagar/ Avantipur during Op Megh Rahat. All activities were aimed towards self sustenance to achieve the organization's drive towards "Year of Wherewithal". This resulted in Award of the "Best in Maintenance" award to the Station in 2014-15. For distinguished service of a high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Sameer Madhukar Kalode. |
