On 10th September, 1965, a formation of Mystere aircraft took off for an operational mission on the western border. When the formation reached the target area, a larger number of enemy tanks were spotted and intensive anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Despite a concentrated barrage and against heavy odds, attacks were carried out. No. 1's aircraft was severely hit during an attack and Nos. 1 and 2 returned to base. Nos. 3 and 4 went in for a second attack.

Although his aircraft was hit, Flight Lieutenant Verma continued the attack, along with No.3. The emergency and auxillary Servo system of Flight Lieutenant Verma's aircraft were damaged and both system pressure dropped to zero. He brought the damaged aircraft back to base with the main system pressure dropping even this went to zero just before touch down. Flight Lieutenant Vinod Kumar Verma showed courage, determination and professional skill of a high order.

Air Commodore Vinod Kumar Verma was commissioned in the Air Force in May 1962. An outstanding fighter pilot, he was specially selected to lead the Air Force team undergoing the Advanced Fighter Weapons Course in the USA. His exemplary performance made him a natural choice to be one of the founder members of Tactical Air Combat Development Establishment. During Indo-Pak War in 1965, he brought back a badly crippled aircraft with total disregard to personal safety. For this, he was awarded 'Vayu Sena Medal'.

On assuming command of a fighter squadron, it was his efforts which resulted in the Squadron getting the best Operational Squadron award for two years in succession. After a deputation in Iraq, he took over command of Tactical Air Combat Development Establishment. It was here that he excelled in developing and disseminating fighter tactics countering state of the art air/ground threat scenarios. These tactics are currently in vogue in our fighter squadrons.

During his present appointment in the key Directorate of Operations (Offensive), initially as the Joint Director and currently as the Director, he has been actively associated with all aspects of the formulation and execution of Op Plans and other allied matters. He has been instrumental in conceiving, planning and coordinating major Air Force exercise that was conducted flawlessly for the very first time in the country, covering all gamut of air operations.

Air Commodore Vinod Kumar Verma, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Vinod Kumar Verma AVSM VM was commissioned in Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot on 26 May 1962. In 36 years of his distinguished service career he has had the distinction of Commanding a premier Fighter Squadron and subsequently an Operational Fighter Base. He has flown various types of front line fighter aircraft, which include Jaguar, MiG-29 and Mirage-2000. The Air officer is a Graduate of the National Defence College and has held a number of Command and Staff Appointments. He was one of the founder members of the prestigious Tactical Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) where he has served as Commandant. He was Air Advisor at the Indian High Commission in UK. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1965 Indo-Pak conflict and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1989 for his distinguished services.

His vast reservoir of knowledge and professionalism were amply displayed during his staff tenures as Director Offensive Ops and Director Personnel Officers as well as during the diplomatic assignment at UK.

Air Mshl VK Verma was appointed Air Officer In Charge Personnel in Apr 96. He is responsible for all aspects of Personnel Planning, Induction, Training and Education. He has discharged all these functions with distinction. He took over as chairman of the Principal Personnel Officers Committee (PPOC) in Mar 98 and has been responsible for coordinating action on all Inter Service/ Tri Service issues.

Air Mshl VK Verma AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.