Air Commodore Thirunillayi Ramaswamy Jankiraman was commissioned on 31 January 1963. During his distinguished career of 31 years, he has held varied assignments wherein he distinguished himself with enviable performance. He had the distinction of serving in frontline aircraft squadron, operational Wings, Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment, Base Repair Depot, Command Headquarters and Air Headquarters.

After his training in USSR, on overhaul of the engines of AN­ 12 aircraft, he was placed in­charge of setting up overhaul facilities and commissioning of the Engine Test Bed, which he completed in a record time. During his tenure at Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment he effectively contributed towards completion of many important evaluation trials. On promotion he took over as a Chief Engineer of engine overhaul line at a Base Repair Depot and in one single year doubled the number of engine overhauls from 26 to 52. During the same period, he also prepared the project report of overhaul of engine of AN-32 which is now a reference document.

The Air Officer very gainfully utilised his field experience and first hand knowledge as Command Engineering Officer and as Air Force Liaison Officer in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (Nasik Division), where he exploited to the fullest total resources of HAL division for the benefit of MiG operating units.

The Air Officer at present is responsible for maintenance management of Russian combat fleets facing Herculean task of provisioning of spares in the face of collapse of Russian supply system. Due to his efforts, the IAF has saved at least Rs. 10 crores in procurement of spares. At present, he is closely monitoring projects on reclamation of parts, increased indigenization life extension studies, in addition to his normal duties.

Air Commodore Thirunillayi Ramaswamy Jankiraman has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Thirunillayi Ramaswamy Janakiraman AVSM (7058) AE (M) has been the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at HQ Maintenance Command from 16 Jun 97 to 23 May 99. Before coming to HQ MC, he was SMSO at HQ WAC and prior to that Dir Eng 'A' at Air HQ. For his outstanding contributions, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in the year 1995.

During his tenure at HQ MC, Air Mshl TR Janakiraman restructured the organization of the SMSO's Branch and created two very vital cells from within the existing resources. One was for monitoring the outstanding AOGs by using the data banks of last line balances and indigenisation. He also formed a cell for provisioning and procurement of items of indigenous origin. By the formation of this cell, HQ MC was able to procure spares required in matter of few months, which earlier used to take much longer. By this measure, stocking period was also reduced, thus resulting in lower inventory carrying cost.

He was instrumental in imparting a great impetus to the indigenisation effort of HQ MC. Under his guidance, elaborate compendiums were prepared outlining our requirement of spares under various categories. The compendiums contained detailed information of all kind so that the indigenisation effort could be directed to most productive areas. Indigenisation data bank was expanded from 50,000 records to more than 170,000 records. With these measures, import of spares from abroad is bound to come down significantly, resulting in savings of crores of rupees besides achieving limited self-reliance.

Air Marshal Thirunillayi Ramaswamy Janakiraman AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.