During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Syed Shahid Hussain Naqvi was serving with a Fighter Squadron. He flew nineteen missions deep into enemy territory. On the 9th December, 1971, while on a visual tactical reconnaissance mission in the Western Sector, he flew for nearly twelve minutes over the area despite heavy ground fire and brought back information. He also flew a number of operational missions to Railway yards. Though these areas were heavily defended, he pressed home his attacks undeterred and set ablaze a number of trains carrying fuel and also goods wagons. During these missions, his weapon delivery had always been accurate and effective and because of his tactics all our aircraft returned safe to base from their missions.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Syed Shahid Hussain Naqvi displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Air Commodore Syed Shahid Hussain Naqvi was commissioned in the Air Force in March, 1963. Since then, he has held many important assignments and has always discharged his duties with distinction.

Air Commodore Naqvi has been in the command of one of the Wings of Air Force since the 21st April, 1990. He is a qualified 'Pilot Attack Instructor', a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and US Air Force War College. He was also the first Air Force Commander of Jaffna Air Base during 'Operation Pawan' and acquitted himself exceptionally well on this assignment.

During his tenure as the Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base, he has brought about far reaching improvements. He was responsible for the smooth induction of one of the two squadrons at his base. Within a short span of 10 months, this Squadron was fully 'Operational' in terms of pilots, aircraft and equipment. This was solely due to excellent planning and energetic execution under his supervision. Subsequently, the Squadron started achieving a higher flying effort, as compared to other Squadrons of the fleet. During this period, not only the flying effort of both the Squadrons showed upward curve, but the serviceability of the aircraft was also maintained at a high level.

The Air Officer personally designed a bomb trolley and fabricated locally which has been introduced in the I.A.F. as a standard equipment. He has also

During his tenure as the Air Officer Commanding of the air base, Air Commodore Naqvi has displayed the highest qualities of leadership, dynamism and management. His originality, novel methods and result oriented approach have brought laurels to the Station.

Air Commodore Syed Shahid Hussain Naqvi, VrC has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Sayed Shahid Hussain Naqvi AVSM VrC (7193) F (P) wan commissioned as a fighter pilot in Mar 63. In his long and distinguished career he had the unique distinction of commanding seven establishments. These include commands of 5 FBSU, 17 FBSU and Air Force elements in Sri Lanka under challenging circumstances. He also commanded 39 Wing and 16 Wing with distinction. He has served on the staff of Pilot Armament Instructors School for a period of five years and served on deputation with the Iraqi Air Fore as a Flying Instructor. He is also a graduate of Defence Service Staff College, Wellington and Air War College, USA.

Air Mshl Naqvi is a veteran of two wars. In the 1971 operation, he was awarded the Vir Chakra for his valour in the face of enemy in the western sector. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for excellence in the year 1992. During the Indian Peace Keeping Operation Srilanka, the Air Marshal, then a Gp Capt, was appointed the first Air Force Station Commander with the responsibility of planning and execution of all Air Operation of IAF elements at Jaffna, in support of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. The Air Marshal has held various staff appointments and has displayed remarkable clarity in thought in modifying the Electronic Warfare Philosophy of the IAF during his tenure as Director EW in Air HQ.

As Deputy Chief of Air Staff he shouldered the overall responsibility of long term planning including the Force Structure Planning of the Indian Air Force. Special emphasis was made towards laying down qualitative requirements for the acquisition of all future equipments namely aircraft systems, radars, weapons etc. and testing of such equipments for the future induction into the Air Force. His services to the Air Force in the field of perspective planning have gone a long way both in enhancing the operational preparedness and capability of the IAF. During the recent operation 'Safed Sagar', following strict time bound programmes, aircraft were suitably modified with state-ofthe-art systems and made available for the operations under his guidance.

The Air Marshal has been on the Board of Director of various Public Sector undertakings namely Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited and Center for Airborne systems. He has been conferred fellowship of Aeronautical Society of India and holds the post of Senior Vice President of the Society.

Air Marshal Sayed Shahid Hussain Naqvi AVSM VrC has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.