Wing Commander Venkataraman Shankar has been the Officer Commanding of a Packet Squadron since 29th April, 1976. Ever since he took over Command of the Squadron, he realised the need to activate his team into a wellknit and cohesive force. As a result, the Squadron has been able to meet all operational and training Commitments that were entrusted to it and has achieved an excellent state of operational status. A man with strong love for flying and decisive and poised in handling emergencies, he was successful in maintaining the morale of the officers and men of his Squadron very high. As a pilot, he has to his credit a total of 6800 hours of accident/incident free flying and 3900 hours of purely operational flying in both Eastern and Northern Sectors. He stands fully qualified for operations in J&K, Ladakh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh where flying calls for the most stringent standards of professional competence and acumen. By his keen insight into the working of men and material and capability to quickly anlayse situations, he has been able to bring the aircraft serviceability state of his Squadron to an all time high. It is during his stewardship that the Squadron has been adjudged the best Squadron for Flight Safety and has been awarded the Flight Safety Trophy for the year 1977. He has achieved the highest 'A' /Master Green on three different aircraft and has maintained this status for the past 14 years.

Wing Commander Venkataraman Shankar has thus displayed leadership, high professional skill and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Venkataraman Shankar was commissioned in August, 1956. He has held several important field appointments at major transport flying stations. He is a graduate of National Defence College and was awarded Vayu Sena Medal for his operational capabilities while commanding a Transport Squadron. He has to his credit 7800 hours of accident and incident free flying experience.

Being presently Director of Operations (T&M) at Air Headquarters, by meticulous planning of resource and pragmatic management, he has ensured the most economic and optimum utilisation of the limited resources and maintained a high operational state of the transport fleet. By his dedicated and pragmatic approach, backed by a sound professional knowledge, understanding and drive, he brought about a near total error free success into the operation “Poomalai" and subsequent AVSM 1988 deployment and maintenance of Indian Peace Keeping Forces at Sri Lanka. This, he achieved and maintains, inspite of multiplicity of aircraft, roles and demands.

Air Commodore Venkatararaan Shankar, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.