Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Denis Anthony Lafontaine served at an operation Wing during a significant phase of transition from subsonic and transonic aircraft to supersonic aircraft. The strategic importance of the Wing required it to become fully operational with the new equipment in the shortest possible time. Despite many problems and numerous other commitments, he set to the task with dedication, skill and high professional ability. He has, to his credit, 2,700 hours of accident-free flying on a wide range of aircraft. He has flown over fifty sorties on the new supersonic aircraft and from this experience found solutions to urgent problems connected with the re-equipment task. In a short time, he reorganised the flying pattern and raised the combat status of the Wing.

Throughout, Wing Commander Denis Anthony Lafontaine displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Air Commodore Denis Anthony Lafontaine, VM (3844) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 15th April, 1950. During his service career, he has held a variety of Command, and Staff appointments. In the various posts that he has held, he has been extremely meticulous, where standards of flying training and operational preparedness are concerned.

He has commanded two fighter Squadrons and an operational Station. During these tenures, he had always been result­oriented and achieved a very high degree of operational preparedness.

He was posted as Chief Instructor at Air Force Academy on its inauguration in December, 1970 to October, 1973. He was personally responsible for the move of entire Flying School from Jodhpur to the Academy. The move was meticulously planned, methodically executed and the new training organisation was set up with speed and purpose. Air Commodore Lafontaine, as the Chief Instructor, reorientated the complete training patterns in the Air Force. He designed major training directives of the Academy which for the first time in the Air Force fixed the principles, standards and techniques for teaching in the air and on the ground. These directives also included, for the first time, a clear guide line to the attitude and behaviour principles required.

He was posted to Headquarters Western Air Command In January, 1975 as Air I. In this capacity, he has established practices which have substantially contributed towards greater operational preparedness of the command. With his vast operational and training experience, he has been able to give a new dimension to the employment and utilisation of fighter force in his Command. It has been due to his stewardship that the operational training and utilisation rate of all the fighter Squadrons in the Command has been planned methodically to achieve the best results.

Air Commodore Lafontaine is a thorough, professionally competent and conscious officer whose devotion to duty is unquestionable. He has always set a worthy example for others to emulate in dedication, servicemindedness, zeal and initiative. Throughout, Air Commodore Danis Anthony Lafontaine, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Danis Anthony La Fontaine AVSM VM (3844) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in April, 1950. During his long service career he has held a variety of Command and staff appointments with distinction at various levels including the policy making level.

His Command appointments include the Command of two frontline fighter Squadrons and two major operational bases when he accomplished high rate of aircraft serviceability, enhanced operational preparedness and all round efficiency.

As Chief Instructor at Air Force Academy on its inauguration, Air Marshal DA La Fontaine was personally responsible for meticulous planning and methodical move of the entire Flying Training School from Jodhpur to the Academy, with speed and purpose. He, as Chief Instructor, reoriented the training pattern in the Air Force and designed the major training directives for the Academy which for the first time in the Air Force fixed the principles, standards and techniques for teaching in the air and on the ground.

After successfully graduating from the National Defence College, he was appointed as Air 1 at Headquarters Western Air Command, and later as Air Officer Commanding of a major base in the western sector. In these appointments he made substantial contribution in achieving optimum utilization of fighter forces under his command. Air Marshal DA La Fontaine was Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command since December, 1978, until he took over as Air Officer Incharge Personnel in Jan 83. During this period he displayed qualities of dynamic leadership, coupled with professional and managerial competence,

Air Marshal Danis Anthony La Fontaine AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.