Air Vice Marshal Kilara Vamana Iya was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force on 30th December, 1959. He has held a number of staff appointments with distinction.

As Deputy Director of the MiG-21 fleet at Air Headquarters during 1978-80, he organized logistics support for frontline squadrons in a very effective manner. As Commanding Officer of an ASP during 1984-85, he successfully organized Road Supply Service to the field units in the East, thereby, contributing to a high state of serviceability of the aircraft and associated equipment. As a member of the Directing Staff at College of Defence Management, he directed a number of important studies sponsored by the Services, resulting in implementation of the recommendations of the Services Study Team, which included a number of measures for streamlining the logistics support to IPKF in Sri Lanka to make it more cost­effective. As Air Officer Commanding of ED during AVSM 1993 1990-91, he introduced a modified version of transportation of aircraft on ground consignments to bring in cost reduction. He also successfully arranged discontinuance of the parallel run in the area of computerized inventory management and surrendered fully vacancies in different ranks and trades to bring in substantial saving.

Ever since he assumed the office of Air Officer Incharge Logistics Management at HQ Maintenance Command, he has been addressing himself to the twin objectives of rendering a high degree of satisfaction to the operational units of the Air Force and simultaneously bringing in cost reduction in inventory management. He has, thus, contributed substantially to sustain a high state of operational preparedness of the Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Kilara Vamana Iya has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.