During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Sahay Sanjeeva was serving as a senior pilot in a fighter Squadron. He flew twenty eight operational missions in the form of combat air patrol escort and interception irrespective of weather limitations, in pitch dark nights and at low altitudes in the vicinity of hilly areas.

During his escort missions, he always ensured that the strike force was not threatened by enemy aircraft. On one occasion, while leading an escort mission of four aircraft, he spotted two enemy Mirage aircraft closing in on the formation from a very advantageous position. He immediately ordered his No. 2 to the correct position and manoeuvred his own aircraft in such a way that in one turn he started closing behind the enemy aircraft which surprised the enemy. The enemy aircraft, however, escaped after diving to the ground level. Instead of pursuing the enemy, he stayed with our strike force as otherwise our force would have been left without protection.Throughout, Squadron Leader Sahay Sanjeeva displayed courage, leadership and professional skill.

Wing Commander Sanjiv Sahay was commissioned on the 31st May, 1961. Since then he has been in various fighter Squadrons. On assuming command of a supersonic squadron in July 1979, Wing Commander Sanjiv Sahay took stock of his resources and with single mindedness, meticulous planning and optimum utilization of each resource, he was able to complete 200 hours of inspection on almost all his new aircraft which had fallen due for inspection at the same period. Due to this faultless planning, the serviceability has gradually picked up and for the last year it was at an all time high figure of 70.13% average. His unit has also achieved 100% serviceability five times during this period. During this period, the Squadron achieved a flying output of 2943 hours. This entire flying has been achieved without a single accident and the Squadron has maintained accident­free record for the last three years. The Squadron won the Arjuna 1979 trophy for being the best fighter Squadron in the Western Air Command in interSquadron Gunnery Meet and was adjudged the fighter Squadron for 1979 of WAC. In 1980, this Squadron also had an accident-free year and won two trophies the first for being the best Fighter Squadron in WAC and another for being best in Maintenance.

On 9th February, 1981, Wing Commander Sanjiv Sahay was leading a medium level strike mission in front guns for ex­Arjuna. After pulling out of the dive, after a front gun attack on SK Range he heard a thud on his aircraft. He experienced a high frequency vibrations setting in and he decided to turn to base giving a call that he suspected a hit by bullet ricochet. He climbed up and decided to carry out an immediate landing by doing a descending circuit. He lowered his undercarriage in line with the landing dumb­bell. He commenced his turn on to finals and throttled back to 85% RPM at 1.3 Km with the intention of lowering full flaps after having turned and aligned with the runway. As soon as he throttled back, he heard a cracking sound from the rear. At this stage, his engine flamed out. At the time of flame out, the height was 1.3 Km. He immediately put the relight switch "ON" observing his height, distance out and speed that the relight would at least take 15 to 20 seconds, he decided to eject. The aircraft was pointing towards the domestic area of HALWARA airfield. He turned right, pulled the aircraft up gently and when the aircraft was facing the green fields, he ejected. Wing Commander Sahay avoided a catastrophe by turning away from populated area. By this courageous act, in such a critical stage, Wing Commander Sahay has set a brilliant example of this presence of mind, bravery and professional acumen.

Wing Commander Sahay has thus displayed high professional competence, leadership, courage and exceptional devotion to duty.

Air Commodore Sanjiv Sahay VM & Bar (6139) Flying (Pilot) was Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station from 21 Apr 92 till his untimely demise in a fatal flying accident on 18 Apr 93. He was very distinguished and highly decorated fighter pilot with over 4000 hours of flying experience of which more than 2500 hrs were on the MiG 21 aircraft alone.

Jodhpur is the largest operational Wing in the Indian Air Force. There are six flying units at this base and on the average more than 800 hours are flown per month. There are at least two to three movements of outstation transport aircraft every day. In addition, there are other units like a radar unit, missile squadron, tropo unit, etc., for which the Station has to provide maintenance and administrative support to all these units is a colossal task and necessarily warrants close coordination to ensure smooth functioning of the organization. Air Cmde Sahay had deeply involved himself in not only meeting these requirements but also in the attaining the highest operational status of the Wing at all times.

Air Cmde Sahay was an exceptional leader who led from the front. The dynamism and organizational skills displayed by him were a source of inspiration to the entire station. As AOC, his interaction with the civilian functionaries was exceptional. It was mainly due to his untiring efforts that the environment committee at Jodhpur was able to make the civil administration agree to carry out work services worth nearly Rs. 25 lakhs for reducing bird hazard around the airfield area.

Air Commodore Sanjiv Sahay VM & Bar had, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.