Squadron Leader Yadavendra Singh was commissioned on 1 Dec 61. He was employed as an Engineering Officer at the Pilot Training Establishment/Elementary Flying School from 1965-68, where he was awarded Commendation by AOC-in-C, Training Command in Jan 68.

While employed on a staff appointment at Air Headquarters between1970-75, he worked very hard and made significant contribution to improve aircraft serviceability in fighter squadrons especially during 1971. He was specially selected for training abroad on first and second line servicing of the latest front line supersonic aircraft. During the first five months of 1975, he worked purely as the Squadron Technical Officer of a Squadron on its re-equipment after which he concurrently assumed the responsibilities of Chief Engineering Officer of a Wing. In that capacity he had been responsible for streamlining and optimizing the working of maintenance organization and raising it to a high level of efficiency and performance to the greater advantage of the fighter squadrons. Being extremely methodical, thorough and meticulous in his work and his dynamic drive have combined to make him a pace setter of very high standards of performance.

Squadron Leader Yadavendra Singh has displayed an outstanding ability in the supervisory role and a deep personal involvement in all spheres of maintenance activities. He has always worked hard with a result oriented practical approach. It is a tribute to his maturity, professional ability and devotion to service that his subordinates cheerfully obey him, his colleagues willingly follow his guidance and those senior to him listen with respect to his advice.

Squadron Leader Yadavendra Singh has been responsible, not only for establishing and functioning an efficient maintenance organization but also for imparting technical knowledge to technical officers and airmen. Due to full personal involvement his Wing had no accident in the year 1977 due to technical mal-practices. During the same year the Wing also had nil MT accident rate. He always placed service before self in the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force. The Station had undertaken the stupendous task of conducting the Fire Power Demonstration with a large number of personnel and diverse aircraft based on the Station. From the technical aspect the entire exercise was without any accident/incident and for this the credit goes to Squadron Leader Yadavendra Singh.

Throughout Squadron Leader Yadavendra Singh has consistently displayed professional ability, dynamic drive, organizing ability and dedication to duty of the highest order for which Rashtrapati is pleased to award him Vishisht Seva Medal.

Air Commodore Yadavendra Singh VSM (6394) AE (M) was commissioned on 01 Dec 61 in the Engineering Branch of the IAF. Whilst being the Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station Halwara, he performed creditably and for the distinguished services rendered, he was awarded VSM in 1978. He has held the appointments of Command Engineering Officer at Western Air Command, Deputy Air Attaché to Embassy of India at Paris (France) and Command of No. 8 Base Repair Depot (BRD). He is a graduate of National Defence College. Air Cmde Y Singh was appointed the Air Officer Commanding of 11 BRD (Ozar) on 01 Mar 92. On taking over, he faced the challenge of overhauling 18 aircraft as against 12 overhauled during the previous year, in the face of uncertainty of availability of spares from the erstwhile USSR. He studied the task thoroughly and restructured the organization. With his managerial and organizational skills, he indigenized many spares and surpassed the target of overhauling task. This effort resulted in a large saving of precious foreign exchange.

In addition to overhauling of aircraft, he also undertook significant additional tasks of repairs and modifications to the aircraft and aircraft spares which resulted in improved operational and training capabilities.

All these tasks were achieved without any addition in manpower or other resources. Air Cmde Y Singh displayed ingenuity in administrative field and resolved the problem of acute shortage of married accommodation to a very large extent. In addition, he created hostel facilities for eight students, studying in professional colleges at Nasik. Under Air Cmde Y Singh's leadership, 11 BRD won the best BRD trophy for the year 92-93. He, with his foresight, accurate planning and perseverance, was able to provide a new purpose and direction to the personnel of 11 BRD, who rose to achieve the tasks which were difficult and challenging. Indigenisation, innovation and additional tasks undertaken under his guidance saved millions of rupees in foreign exchange.

Air Commodore Yadavendra Singh VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.