Squadron leader Chitta Ranjan Ghosh was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in May, 1961. He has over 4,000 hours of accident­free flying to his credit. There have been numerous occasions when Squadron Leader Ghosh has been called upon to meet dangerous and challenging tasks. Notable amongst these missions was the heavy dropping of jeeps in November, 1972. Again in May, 1973 he was assigned another difficult task to land, and take-off, with full load. He carried out the mission on an unprepared and short runway under adverse monsoon weather. In April, 1972 he moved to a forward base with his Squadron. Single handedly he screened all the pilots and brought the Squadron to fully operational readiness in that area in a short time. He has flown long hours flood relief operations in West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar in 1970-71. During the Indo-Pak Conflict, 1971, he was selected to fly the pathfinder aircraft for the airborne operations. His accurate drop over target contributed greatly to the success of the first ever airborne assault undertaken by the Indian Force.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Chitta Ranjan Ghosh displayed courage, professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Air Commodore Chitta Ranjan Ghosh was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as Flying (Pilot) on the 31st May, 1961. Till date he has flown 7300 hrs of accident free flying. He has held the highest CAT/IR viz on Packet, TU-124, AVRO-748 and AN-32 aircraft. He has also been Command Examiner on Packets and AN-32 aircraft.

He was sent to USSR in 1983 as the team leader for conversion and induction of the AN32 aircraft in the IAF. It was due to his capacity for hard work that the AN-32 aircrafts were inducted and initial training of aircrew was successfully completed in the given time frame.

Air Cmde Ghosh was posted as AOC of an Operational Wing with effect from the 1st Dec 1987. As AOC of this major Air Force Base, he successfully ensured the conduct of Air Maintnenace task in the forward areas, particularly in Siachen Glacier. This task was carried out with a variety of transport aircraft operating from his base. The airlift is the life line of our ground forces operating in an extremely hostile terrain. The personnel involved in the task work under pressure day in and day out throughout the year, irrespective of weather. To sustain such operations requires a high degree of motivation by a committed leadership. These have been demonstrated by Air Cmde Ghosh in ample measure.

Air Commodore Chitta Ranjan Ghosh, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.