Flight Lieutenant Velayudhannair Girish Kumar has been serving with an operational Squadron since August 1966. In this Squadron, he has flown over 1,650 hours. In an earlier tenure with another operational Squadron, he carried out a number of trial landings at hitherto unused airfields. He flew numerous supply dropping missions in NEFA. During the earthquake in Nepal in 1966, he did commendable work in connection with reconnaissance flights and setting up of dropping zones. He has flown over 4,200 hours without accident.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Velayudhannair Girish Kumar displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Air Marshal Velayudhan Girish Kumar VM was commissioned as a pilot In the F(P) Branch on 10 Nov 62. He has over 8000 hrs of flying to his credit. AVSM 1998 He has been on the faculty of Defence Services Staff College. As the Commanding Officer, Air HQ Comm Sqn, he formulated various operating procedures and upgraded the internal facilities on the newly Inducted Boeing-737 and Mi-8 to International standards. As the Air Attaché, USA, he provided significant inputs to Air HQ, on the arms transfers to a neighbouring country. As the AOC, AF Station, Palam, he refined VVIP operational and security procedures. As the SOA, HQ EAC, he completely revamped the Administrative set up, leading to increased efficiency, and better quality of life. As Director Intelligence, he produced several incisive analyses regarding the changing military balance in the region. He forcefully put across India's view points at the ASEAN Regional Forum Meeting held in Bangkok. In the present appointment as SASO, HQ CAC, he has provided the impetus, for enhancing the operational potential of Jaguar and Mirage­2000 aircraft. He has organised trials on transport aircraft which have yielded important lessons relating to the operations and protection of these aircraft during operational missions. Air Defence network, and utilisation of radars of CAC improved demonstrably due to his direct supervision and guidance. Several large scale exercises have also been planned and undertaken in CAC successfully. He has evaluated and introduced valuable lessons that emerged from such exercises to enhance the operational capabilities of the IAF.

Air Marshal Velayudhan Girish Kumar VM has thus rendered distinguished service of exceptional order.

Air Marshal Velayudhan Girish Kumar AVSM VM is on the posted strength of the Directorate General of Defence Planning Staff, Chiefs of Staff Committee, Ministry of Defence since 02 Jun 97.

He has over 8000 hours of flying to his credit. He has held many key Command, Staff and Instructional appointments in the IAF. In his present appointment as Director General of the Defence Planning Staff he heads the highest level inter-services organisation in the country providing forecasts and analysis on issues of utmost importance to the nation and the armed forces. In this regard, he has carried out several incisive studies, including forecast of the future Indo-US security concerns and a prognosis of the economic and military trends in a neighbouring country. These analyses have proved to be extraordinarily accurate in the light of events that have unfolded over the past year.

He has formulated policy imperatives governing strategic weapons and their command and control. He has also examined indepth the higher defence organisation of the country which has been well received at the highest quarters.

While dealing with international relations, he has been projecting an excellent image of the armed force and the Government of India. He also hosted several foreign delegations on their visit to India and put across the rationale for India's foreign policy and military posture very effectively.

As regards inter-services issues, Air Marshal Kumar has played an extremely effective role in promoting jointness in the Services with respect to operational, fiscal, equipment and personnel policies. In this context, he was instrumental in formulating the Ninth Defence Plan in a manner acceptable to the three Services and the Government. As an Advisor to the Chiefs of Staff Committee, he has provided valuable insights and recommendations to resolve major issues affecting the three Services, including measures to optimize scarce resources available to the armed forces.

Air Marshal Velayudhan Girish Kumar AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the highest order.