Flight Lieutenant Avinash Chander Chopra has been serving with a Helicopter Unit since August 1967. During this period he has undertaken a number of rescue and casualty evacuation missions and carried out about 600 hours of operational flying. In July 1967, in adverse weather conditions, he made many sorties in search of a transport aircraft which had crashed. Finally, he succeeded in reaching the scene of the crash and located the wreckage. He took calculated risk in landing at a kutcha helipad and succeeded in evacuating the lone survivor.

Throughout Flight Lieutenant Avinash Chander Chopra displayed courage and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Group Captain Avinash Chander Chopra, VM (7604) Flying (Pilot) has been posted as Air-II at Headquarters Southern Air Command for the last three years.

As Air-II, Gp Capt AC Chopra is responsible for planning coordinating and executing of transport and helicopter operations in the geographical jurisdiction of HQ SAC.

Sometimes in May 87 it became apparent that large scale transport/helicopter operations will be required in Sri Lanka. The officer was entrusted with this task and he worked diligently to achieve the requisite infrastructure to support such large scale envisaged operations. Facilities were crated at Thanjavur and Trichurapally. These two locations were such where no Air Force elements existed. His efforts enabled the initial induction and operations of large scale helicopter and transport operations in a very satisfactory manner.

He maintained close liaison with maintenance personnel to ensure that all the twenty five helicopters placed at the disposal of HQ SAC are serviced promptly to ensure

availability of maximum number of helicopters at all times.

For unflinching devotion to duty, meticulous planning continuous prolonged involvement the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt A C Chopra VM.