Wing Commander Madhukar Krishna Marathe was commissioned in the Air Force in April 1963. He has been trained aboard on fighter aircraft. Since then he has been associated with particular origin aircraft in one capacity or another. A graduate of Defence Service Staff College, he is a specialist on aircraft Electrical Systems.

Wing Commander MK Marathe was entrusted with the task of setting up of the facilities for the overhaul of over 400 rotables for a fighter type of aircraft. These notables forming part of the vital systems of the complicated supersonic aircraft required elaborate and expensive facilities. When the task was entrusted to Wg Cdr MK Marathe, not more than a few rotables could be overhauled by utilizing the existing facilities. By dint of technical expertise and perseverance, Wg Cdr MK Marathe had set up facilities for 400 different rotables during the course of the production year 1982-83. This significant technical achievement not only saved the country valuable Foreign Exchange but also helped in streamlining the overhaul line at the Base Repair Depot. The job involved ingenuity and technical competence of the highest order. By meeting the challenging assignment given to him, Wg Cdr Marathe was able to achieve more than the desired results in the given time frame.

For his technical competence, devotion to duty and ingenuity, the President as pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Madhukar Krishna Marathe.

Gp Capt Madhukar Krishna Marathe was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in April 1963. He has been on the posted strength of Air Headquarters since Sep 87 as Joint Director Eng 'A'. During the span of 28 years of service Gp Capt Marathe has held various appointments such as OI/C Type 96 overhaul line, CEO of a major base, Project Engineer at Air HQs and has acquitted himself with credit.

During past three years, with timely planning and foresight, overhaul of MiG-25 aircraft and its engines in USSR was completed in a short span of 28 months. Number of AN-32 trips were reduced by proper planning of deliveries and despatches and he pursued the manufacturers to accept MiG-29 engines in last return trip.

During induction of a MiG-29 Sqn, with his meticulous planning of erection of aircraft, receipt and air lift of equipment and spares, the squadron commenced flying on the scheduled date.

During 1989, sensing poor product support from manufacturers, he played an important role in setting up of interim repair facilities for critical MiG-29 components. Further, he initiated number of indigenisation projects like flight data analyser, Ikran film, Nav bulbs, Cassette film etc, and provided development grants to operating units.

During past two years he brought out anomalies in pricing of certain costly and critical items which were accepted by GED. All these measures have resulted in saving of at least rupees four crores in FE.

For his exceptional devotion to service, excellence in the field of engineering planning, harnessing of resources and outstanding contribution, the President is pleased to award Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt MK Marathe.

Air Commodore MK Marathe, VSM & Bar was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering branch of the Indian Air Force on 03 Apr 63. He has been in the command of the Base Repair Depot at Ozar since Nov 93. Prior to his present appointment, he was Jt Director at Air HQ. He was awarded Vishisht Seva medal in 1984 for his contribution towards establishing MiG­21 overhaul line. Thereafter, he was awarded Bar to VSM in 1992 while working as Joint Director in­charge of MiG­29 and MiG-25 fleets at Air HQ.

Under the dynamic leadership and guidance of Air Cmde MK Marathe, the BRD has successfully developed indigenously the capital repair technology for MiG-23 variants and life extension schedules for MiG-23 and MiG-29 fleets. Besides achieving self-reliance, this effort will accrue a saving of more than Rs 2 Crores in foreign exchange to the Nation. With his vast experience on the MiG series aircraft and his innovative approach, he has overcome a serious problem of wing fuel leak of MiG­29 aircraft by indigenously developing the repair technology. He has also successfully carried out a large number of prototype modifications on MiG-23/27 aircraft. Air Commodore Madhukar Krishna Marathe VSM & Bar has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.