| Details : | Group Captain Anand Sondhi (22916) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a pilot in the flying branch on 18 Jun 94 and is presently posted as Director of Personnel(Officer)- 5 at Air HQ. He is a Cat A Flying Instructor and an Air Force Examiner. He is qualified on the jaguar and Mig-29 aircraft with over 3300 hours of flying experience. In his 21 years of service, he has served in many operational units and commanded a frontline fighter Squadron. He has also served as the Staff Officer to CAS prior to the current assignment. During his tenure as a CO the officer proved his mettle as a transformational leader. Under his leadership the Squadron sustained very high professional standards and flew 4600 hrs of accident free flying. His professional acumen played a pivotal role in the Squadron winning Command EkIavya Trophy both in 2011 and 2012. He led the Squadron from the front during multiple detachments in the J&K valley and undertook day and night operations, including heavy armament missions from that base during many exercises. His personal competency and skill came to the fore on multiple occasions including the conduct of a precise fighter fly-past on Air Force Day in 2011 and 2012 flawless conduct of the Squadron's Diamond jubilee celebrations in Dec 2011. Constant focus and personal involvement on his part allowed sustenance of high serviceability and consequent accomplishment of numerous operational milestones. As a staff officer, he has excelled in all assigned tasks within a short span. These included the onerous responsibility of preparing daily media and op briefs, drafting speeches, messages and important correspondence addressed to the National Leadership, Service Chiefs and heads of foreign Air Forces. In his current assignment he has shown tremendous resolve in formulating holistic and comprehensive HRPs after incorporating feedback received from the environment. In spite of no previous experience, he has played a central role in setting up of Legal Cell and has made a stellar contribution in handling of ongoing court cases and associated legal issues. For distinguished service of a high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Anand Sondhi. |
