| Details : | Wing Commander Vikram Pathak (20971) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 15 Dec 1990 and presently is the CO of a Mirage -2000 Squadron (Sqn). The officer has more than 4150 hrs of accident/incident free flying with more than 1500 hrs on the multi-role Mirage-2000 aircraft. The officer has performed exceptionally well throughout his flying career. He is Category A2 Qualified Flying Instructor, an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, and a DSSC graduate. He has secured first position in all the professional courses that he has undergone till date. He bagged two out of the three medals while in Staff College, including the Lentaigne Medal for standing first in ·the overall order of merit during the DSSC course in 2007. He has also been a Directing Staff at Flying Instructors School for more than four years. Wg Cdr Pathak has consistently proved his mettle in various tasks assigned to him. On taking over the Sqn, he laid special emphasis on improving the Ops Status of the Sqn. The Sqn has flown 2350 hrs in the last one year, without any accident, with the officer himself flying over 300 hrs, despite all the responsibilities of a CO. The Sqn's Ops Status has improved considerably with the junior most pilot averaging over 170 hrs in the last one year. Under his command, the Sqn performed exceptionally well during the DASI Inspection and various exercises. He also led his Sqn to win the Eklavya Trophy for Best in Bombing in Central Air Command. Earlier, as the Fit Cdr, he was the driving force behind his Sqn winning the "Best Fighter Squadron of IAF 2003-04". Wg Cdr Pathak has also been instrumental in training the Low-Level Aerobatics team on the Mirage-2000, as the Display Supervisor. The Sqn's performance in Directorate of Air Staff Inspection, Command Air Staff Inspection and Aircrew Examining Board have been commendable. Innovative and enterprising, he is constantly finding solutions and meeting the highest standard in all spheres for others to emulate. His innate ability to interact with the Airmen and NCs (E) at the lowest rung has earned him the respect of his subordinates, both officers and men alike, inculcated the spirit of unflinching loyalty towards the Sqn and kept the morale of his Sqn very high. This has manifested itself in high aircraft serviceability state of the Sqn thereby resulting in excellent performances of the Sqn in various exercises. For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Vikram Pathak. |
