During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Sindhaghatta Subbaramu was attached to a Fighter Squadron. He flew a total of thirtytwo missions in the form of Combat Air Patrol, escort and interception. He flew these sorties in adverse weather conditions and in pitch-dark night in the vicinity of hilly areas. During every escort mission, he ensured that the strike force was never threatened in any way by enemy aircraft, which enabled the strike force to attack the targets fearlessly. He always brought the strike forces back to base safely.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Sindhaghatta Subbaramu displayed gallantry, professional skill and leadership of a high order.

Air Vice Marshal Sindhaghatta Subbaramu was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on the 29th May, 1957. He has held during his service, important assignments of Flight Commander, Squadron Commander and Air Force Examiner in different types of Fighter Squadrons. He was Flight Commander in an Operational Squadron during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan Conflict when he distinguished himself and was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry. Amongst his other flying assignments, he has been a Test Pilot at a Base Repair Depot and at the Aircraft and Armament Testing Unit as also Leader of a formation aerobatic team. In all, he has accumulated over 5700 hours of accident free flying on over 30 types of aircraft of which single engine fighters are predominant. Amongst his other field assignments he has been Chief Operations Officer and subsequently Commander of a major Operational Base and Director of the Air Force Inspection Team where he was responsible for inspecting the operational readiness of all Air Force combat formations.

In addition to his very distinguished career in the various operational field assignments, he has contributed in an equal measure to important and varied and Operational Branches of the Air also on the Defence Planning Staff in the Ministry of Defence. Throughout his career AVSM 1992 which has involved varied and challenging facets of flying from operations on the one hand to flight testing and inspection on the other and equally varied and challenging staff assignments, Air Vice Marshal Subbaramu has always produced exceptional performance and standards by sheer dedication, devotion and unstinted hard work.

Air Vice Marshal Sindhaghatta Subbaramu, VrC has, thus, rendered service of an exceptional order.