Air Commodore Sriprumbodur Raghavan was commissioned in the Logistics branch on 10 November 62. He has held the appointment of Senior Logistics Management Officer at Eastern Air Command and been in Command of Air Force Station Faridabad. He also served a tenure on deputation to Canteen Stores Department as Deputy General Manager. He has successfully completed the Long Defence Management Course. Air Cmde Raghavan was appointed the Air Officer Commanding of a major Equipment Depot (ED) on 01 February 1993. His task was to provide effective spares support to the entire Russian fleet of the Air Force in the face of dwindling availability of spares from CIS countries. He instituted methods to identify commonalty of spares among the MiG variants, the tapping of HAL held IAF stores and analysis of the past demands and, thus, identified a large number of critical items that were later procured. He provided valuable inputs for prioritised indigenisation of spares. He identified 88 rotables, which were causing problems in the field and accordingly, the Base Repair Depots (BRDs) were tasked for rotable repairs.

The Depot was assigned the role of developing the entire inventory management package of the newly acquired Antariksh 303 Computer System. Under his able guidance and leadership, the Depot has accomplished development of certain softwares despite various teething problems. The software developed by the Depot has now been accepted as standard inventory management package.

The efforts put in by Air Cmde S Raghavan enabled the Depot to meet all its tasks and provide uninterrupted and sustained support to operational units despite severe all round constraints.

For distinguished service of high order the president is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Air Cmde Sriprumbodur Raghavan.

Air Vice Marshal S Raghavan, VSM was commissioned on 10 Nov 62 in the Logistics Branch of the IAF. He has held the appointment AVSM 1996-97 of Senior Logistics Officer at Air Force station Jamnagar, Command Logistics Management Officer at HQ Eastern Air Command/ Officer Commanding Air Force Station Faridabad, Air Officer Commanding Equipment Depot Devlali and Deputy General Manager on deputation to Canteen Stores Department.

The Air Officer was appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Logistics) on 02 Jan 95. With his remarkable managerial skills and excellent inter personal rapport, he was instrumental in bringing about all­round improvement in all areas. Management of mechanical transport received his highest attention. Inspite of many constraints, over 1000 vehicles were procured besides recovery of a large number of vehicles lying unserviceable for prolonged durations. The provisioning and procurement process of Russian flying clothing and aircrew clothing items was expedited by close monitoring. The criticality that existed for many lubricants during 1995 was changed to adequate availability at all places all the time. The working ethos of the Purchase Directorate were refined leading to speedy purchases, ensuring transparency in dealings and improved vendor confidence in the purchase system. He was also closely associated with the decentralisation of provisioning and procurement to Headquarters Maintenance Command and the launching of Integrated Material Management On-line System (IMMOLS). Both these decisions called for extensive analysis of reports, dialogue and negotiations and were very ably handled by him.

Air Vice Marshal S Raghavan has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Sriperumbudur Raghavan AVSM VSM (6710) Lgs was commissioned on 10 Nov 62 in the Logistics branch of the IAF, He has served with distinction at many field units, before holding prestigious appointments like Command Logistics Management Officer at Headquarters Eastern Air Command, Commanding Officer No. 56 Air Stores Park, Air Officer Commanding No. 25 Equipment Depot and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Logistics) at Air Headquarters (VB). While working as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Logistics) he was responsible for the smooth transfer of responsibility of provisioning and procurement of eight weapon systems to Headquarters Maintenance Command, and formulating their procedures. Closely associated with IMMOLS Project, his foresight and vision has contributed significantly to its inception and translation into reality. For distinguished services rendered, he was awarded VSM in 1995 and AVSM in 1997.

Air Mshl S Raghavan was appointed as Air Officer Logistics Management at Headquarters Maintenance Command on 22 Mar 99. With his remarkable skills and organising capabilities, he brought about several improvements in Warehouse Management, which include rationalisation of holdings, purification of data, correct documentation, and disposal of unwanted and non-moving items. During Kargil Operations, his overall management led to safe and expeditious movement of stores including explosives. Despatch of overhauled specialist vehicles by hired trucks and collection of repairable vehicles has been appreciated by operating units.

With a flair for bringing about changes, and commitment to greater decentralisation in decision making, he got Government approval for processing at Maintenance Command itself, indents for imported ranges, rotables, raw materials, machinery, testers etc, Introduction of ARS for CFT and ADGES, and budget management are areas of excellence worth mentioning. His steadfastness has ensured substantial increase of financial powers for Depots thereby considerably reducing lead-time in procurements. Revision of CRISP policy guidelines and realistic size wise management of airmen clothing items have led to cancellation of outstanding orders, and sayings to the state to the extent of Rs 10 crores.

Air Marshal Sriperumbudur Raghavan AVSM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.