Wing Commander Ashok Kumar Mehta (6631) Logistics was commissioned in Jun 62. Since then, he has held numerous important appointments with distinction. As Chief Logistic Officer of one of Equipment Depots he was commended by the AOC-in-C Maintenance Command (1974) and at Air Headquarters by the Chief of the Air Staff (1979).

Since April 1981, he is working as Command Logistic and Maintenance Officer of an operational command. The officer has displayed an exceptional blend of technical, opera tional and logistic capabilities and foresight for forward planning towards achievements of the objectives of this Command. Because of his meticulous planning and resourcefulness, more than 30 Operational/ Armament training exercises were conducted during the year 1982 alone without any failure of supplies and maint enance support.

The officer was directly responsible for bringing about a saving of approximately Rs. 20 lakhs by reduction of inventories, intra-unit transfers, clearance of Aircraft on Ground and contractual price reduction by negotiations. With sustained result-oriented efforts the officer brought about an all round improvement in Mechanical Transport serviceability of specialist and common user fleet to a figure of 97% and 93% respectively from 80% during 1979-80. The officer is directly responsible towards recovery of the 40 off-road vehicles lying unserviceable for over two years and more APPAs, UPEGAs and CFTs downgraded to Class V, thus bringing about a saving to the State of Lakhs of rupees. He was also primarily responsible for bringing down the MT accident rate of this Command from 0.54 per lakh kilometers to 0.16 per lakh kilometers for the year 1982-83.

For dedicated work qualities of professional ability, indomitable determination, dynamic drive and exceptional devotion to duty, superb material management, personal example and sustained hard work much beyond call of duty, the President is please to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Ashok Kumar Mehta.

Group Captain Ashok Kumar Mehta has held with distinction various assignments at AVSM 1992 Operational Wings, BRDs, Trg Units, Command HQ, Air HQ and Mirage-2000 Project Team (Abroad). He is the only Logistics Officer in the Air Force who has managed an aircraft weapon system. He assumed the Command of one of the EDs in May, 1989 and has brought about a sea-change in Logistics/ technico-logistic support for major production organization, numerous operational wings and HAL. This is reflected in 100% completion of tasks consecutively for the last two years in production of front line state of art Aeroengines, A/C, Rotables, Avionics, ASVs and Armt Systems. His support to front line, fighter, bomber, trg units can be gauged from the fact that over nine times during 1989-91 nil AOG state was achieved.

The officer contributed significantly in maintaining harmonious industrial relations and peace at the Station. He turned AFWWA into a viable financial source and thereby contributed significantly towards welfare activity of station to bag the best trophy for the year 1990. His Depot also got the runnerup trophy in the same year.

Group Captain Ashok Kumar Mehta, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.