Flight Lieutenant Manjit Singh Sekhon has been serving in one of the Helicopter Units in the Eastern Sector. On a number of occasions, he has successfully carried out supply dropping and casualty evacuation from extremely difficult places at grave personal risk. He has completed 1,100 hours of operational flying in Helicopters in NEFA, Nagaland and Mizo Hills. In addition, he has been carrying out instructional duties and has always been setting an example to others.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Manjit Singh Sekhon displayed courage and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Manjit Singh Sekhon was commanding a detachment of a front line Fighter Squadron. He flew 14 missions at low heights in very difficult terrain of Jammu and Kashmir and caused extensive damage to several enemy bunkers, vehicles, guns, mortar positions, POL and ammunition dumps. He carried out these missions in their face of heavy ground fire. He substantially contributed to the success of our ground forces in Kargil Tithwal, Poonch and Uri Sectors. He also ensured a high rate of serviceability of aircraft.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Manjit Singh Sekhon displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

On the 25th February, 1975, Squadron Leader Manjit Singh Sekhon was doing night flying training in a helicopter. He was asked to carry out reconnaissance of the area West of an Airfield in Western Sector for a crashed aircraft. In spite of limited experience of night flying, he undertook this mission, carried out a search and confirmed an aircraft crash and reported its location. After refuelling, he got airborne again and located the pilot. With intelligent use of his landing light and Radio Telephony, he skillfully landed in a paddy field and rescued the first pilot and flew him back to base. He repeated the same performance and rescued the second pilot also.

In this action, Squadron Leader Manjit Singh Sekhon displayed exemplary courage, devotion to duty and professional skill of a high order.

Air Marshal Manjit Singh Sekhon VrC SC VM (6756) F (P) was commissioned in the IAF on 10 Nov 1962. Through out his long and distinguished career, the Air Officer has held a variety of Command and Staff appointments, with remarkable success, aplomb and ease. He has flown many types of fighters, transport and helicopters.

During 1962 operations, he participated in casualty evacuation and supplying of stores. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry for helicopter operations during 196367 in Nagaland, Mizo hills, NEFA, 1965 war and for evacuating more than 4000 casualities from remote areas. He was commended by the CAS in 970 for saving a helicopter with engine malfunction, and carrying out 5 aircraft dead stick landings during 1968-70.

During 1971 War, as a Flight Lieutenant, he commanded 121 Vampire Squadron at Srinagar. For his conspicuous gallant contributions during the war, he was awarded Vir Chakra on 24 Dec 1971. He raised and commanded a Helicopter Unit for 2 ½ years. For a gallant search and rescue operation by helicopter at night, in which, beyond the normal call of duty on 25 Feb 1975, he saved two fighter pilots, he was awarded Shaurya Chakra for gallantry.

As Flight Commander of 37 Squadron, 47 Squadron and Chief Operations Officer of a Fighter Station he contributed significantly and achieved zero aircraft accident rate. He commanded a MiG 21 Squadron for 2 ½ years and achieved remarkable results. As Chief instructor at Air Force Academy, under his dynamic leadership, the Academy achieved a record flying of over 19050 hours in a year, without any accident.

As a Group Captain, he commanded Air Force Station Awantipur for 3 years and made significant contributions to operations, armament storage, work services, and improved the security facilities. This made Awantipur the best fortified Air Force Station of Indian Air Force.

When he was Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Bidar for 2 ½ years, his Station flew more than 30400 hrs on jet aircraft with no accidents. His station was adjudged the best in Flight Safety, Operations, Maintenance and Administration for 3 years consecutively. He also personally formed the Formation Aerobatics Team on Kiran aircraft at Bidar.

The Air Marshal is an alumnus of National Defence College. While holding various staff appointments at Air HQ, he made meaningful contributions in Operations, Flight Safety, Training, Induction of Women officers in the Indian Air Force, and in various other operational fields.

As Air Defence Commander and Officiating Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), South Western Air Command (SWAC), he made commendable contributions in re-organising and relocating units, Radars etc., Flight Safety, in concepts of Control and Reporting Centre, Mobile Pulse Doppler Radar busting, Special Heliborne Operations and Photo Reconnaissance, These contributions greatly improved the Air Defence and overall operational environment of SWAC.

As Air Officer Commanding Jammu & Kashmir, he once again brought about significant improvements in the operational environment, Air Defence set up and Air Maintenance doctrines in J&K to the entire satisfaction of Army and Air Force.

As SASO HQ Eastern Air Command, IAF, and later as SASO HQ Western Air Command, IAF he improved the overall operational, Flight Safety and Air Defence environment of the area. All air maintenance tasks, flood relief, casualty evacuation, counter insurgency operations and tasks given by Air HQ were achieved in the most professional manner. His services were also utilised during 1999 Kargil War. The Air Marshal has more than 8170 hrs of accident free flying on 46 types of aircraft.

As Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, IAF he has brought about remarkable improvements in the fields of Operations, Maintenance and Administration, and succeeded in achieving some of the tasks pending for more than 10 years. His Air Command has maintained zero accident rates. He is always willing to shoulder heavy responsibilities and additional tasks.

Air Marshal Manjit Singh Sekhon VrC SC VM has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.