| Details : | Wing Commander Abhijit Tokekar (22696) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in the flying branch on 18 Dec 93. He is presently commanding a MiG-21 M Squadron. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has over 500 hours of instructional flying. He has a total service flying of 2800 Hours. He has been awarded a Commendation by the Chief of Air Staff on 08 Oct 2006. He has been the Flight Commander of a MiG 21(T-96) Squadron undertaking MiG Operational Flying Training. During his tenure as a Flight Commander. the squadron was adjudged as the Best Fighter Squadron in the Command. He has also served as the Chief Operations Officer of a fighter base and Chief Flying Instructor at Air Force Station Hakimpet. He assumed Command of the Fighter Squadron which imparts MiG Operational Flying Training to newly commissioned fighter pilots on 19 Oct 2011. Prior to his assuming command of the Squadron. the Sqn had witnessed three serious accidents in quick succession related to flying capability of young aircrew. With his vast instructional experience he took active control of the situation and improved the standards of training in the Squadron thereby resulting in Nil Human Error (Aircrew) incidents or accidents since then. His personal attention to detail, close monitoring of the briefings and debriefs and also a regular introspection of the performance of the aircrew has resulted in the Sqn aircrew being assessed as Average Plus to Above Average during four inspections by the Aircrew Examination Board (AEB). He also standardized the patter to be called out for instructional flying on the critical circuit approach and landing phase on the MiG-21 which was subsequently ratified by AEB. With his excellent management skills, he has maintained a good liaison with the other agencies of the base which has resulted in a productive and safe flying environment. He has always led from the front and served as a role model to his subordinates. His involvement in welfare related activities of the unit has been exemplary. This has ensured a feel good factor and upswing in the morale of the unit personnel. While displaying managerial abilities of the highest order. he has never allowed personal comforts to impede his work and has willingly contributed beyond the normal call of duty. For exceptional devotion to duty. Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) to Wing Commander Abhijit Tokekar. |
