Flight Lieutenant Ashish Gupta (22121-B) Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of a Fighter Squadron with effect from 31 Mar 97 and is presently working as a Squadron pilot.

Flight Lieutenant Ashish Gupta is fully operational on T-75 and Jaguar aircraft. He is a 4 aircraft Leader and Trainer Captain by day. He is rated as 'Green'.

During 'Op Vijay' Flt Lt Ashish Gupta flew a total of 16 photo reconnaissance missions. These sorties have been flown over the enemy held area in Kargil, Mushkoh and Batalik sectors at altitudes ranging from 1500' to 10,000' AGL. Mission planning and execution was done in an exemplary manner and he was able to get vital information of the enemy locations due to his professional approach, accurate flying and filming of the enemy targets. Based on these photographs the exact location of the enemy was revealed and these could therefore be attacked successfully through aerial bombardment and artillery fire. This resulted in reducing the number of causalities of our infantry while advancing to recapture these areas.

His thorough professionalism and flying ability coupled with dedicated planning and preparation resulted in a very high success rate for these missions, which, in turn helped our air and ground forces to achieve their objectives.

For his exemplary mission planning and execution of the requirement, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Flight Lieutenant Ashish Gupta.