Air Commodore Harnam Singh Keshub (3468) was commissioned in the Flying Branch: (Navigator) of the Indian Air Force in February, 1948.

During his 28 years of services, he has held various important appointments with distinction, including that of Navigation Instructor of the Navigation Training School, Instructor Junior Commanders Course at the Air Force Admin College, Instructor Transport Support Wing at the School of Land Warfare, Staff Officer (Air) in the Cabinet Secretariat (Military Wing), Air Force Liaison Officer in Nagaland and Joint Director Air Force Works at Air Headquarters.

As Staff Officer (Air) in the Cabinet Secretariat (Military Wing) from August 1965 to August 1968, he was responsibly, amongst his other duties, to revise the Central War Book based on the lessons learnt during the 1965 Indo-Pak Conflict. This task was carried out by him in a most exemplary manner in the shortest possible time. From August 1968 to June 1970, he was the Air Farce Liaison Officer in Nagaland when the hostile were most active. During this period, intensive Helicopter airborne operations were carried out under his direct supervision, which resulted in the capture of many hostiles returning from China after training, with vast quantities of arms and ammunition. From June 1970 to December 1973, he was Joint Director Air Force Works at Air Headquarters, where it was his responsibility to provide adequate Defence and Camouflage works for protection of aircraft and other vital installations, uninterrupted fuel, power and water supply to operational requirements, and emergency repairs at forward airfields. By his untiring efforts, zeal and devotion to duty, he was able to accomplish all these AVSM 1977 tasks well before the 1971 Indo-Pak Conflict. Throughout the conflict, he maintained a close and very effective liaison with Engineers as well as with the other central and Government Departments to ensure that at no time the operations were affected due to unserviceability of the airfields and fuel, power and water supply systems.

On promotion to the rank of Air Commodore in January 1974, he took over as Director of Personal Services at Air Headquarters where he had to deal with complex problems of Service Security, discipline and welfare of personnel and various ceremonial functions. Immediately on assumption of the appointment, he undertook in­depth studies of all his responsibilities with a view to identify the areas which demanded immediate attention, and set about implementing the measures needed to streamline the various procedures and drills with determination and dedication. Due to his efforts, the security and discipline aspects in the service have been tightened and, at the same time, assistance and welfare, amenities to the man and their families have been vastly improved. While impartially and unflinchingly enforcing discipline, he has equally showed qualities of compassion and human understanding, thus setting an enviable and emulating example of an administrator.

Throughout his career, Air Commodore Harnam Singh Keshub has displayed high professional acumen, leadership, devotion to duty and consistently rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.