Group Captain Kalpathy Anantkrishna Hariharan (5185) was commissioned in the Flying (Pilot) branch of the Indian Air Force in 1955. Since commissioning he has held a variety of important command and staff AVSM 1984 appointments. He was in fighter Squadron from 1957 to 1971. He commanded a fighter squadron equipped with supersonic aircraft from 1975 to 1977. He was Chief Instructor at the College of Air Warfare from 1977 to 1980. Besides being a qualified Pilot Attack Instructor, he is also a graduate of Defence Services Staff College.

Group Captain Hariharan took over the command of one of the major Signals Unit in October, 1980. This unit is equipped with high power three dimensional radar which is a very sophisticated system inducted recently by the Air Force. Initially the equipment has many operational and logistic problems inhibiting effective utilization of the system. Group Captain Hariharan applied his mind systematically to all the problems and by his initiative, drive and result­oriented leadership, not only brought the unit to full operational status within a very short period but, despite lack of adequate material and system support has also been able to maintain the sophisticated air defence equipment at considerably high level of operational efficiency.

Group Captain Hariharan, by persuasive approach and total dedication to the service interests, has obtained a number of welfare items and concessions from the State Government for the benefit of his men. He also organized substantial gifts and grants from the State Government for other Air Force Station in Gujarat area. By his exemplary conduct with the civil authorities, he has enhanced the image of the Air Force in general.

Under the able leadership of Group Captain Hariharan, the men placed under him have been motivated to excel themselves in their profession and work as an effective team in all fields of activities. By his exceptional devotion to duty, superb handling of men and material, boundless drive to achieve results and exemplary service mindedness, Group Captain Kalpathy Anantkrishna Hariharan has rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.