 Air Commodore S Pingali was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 28 Oct 83. He displayed exceptional talent for air combat and was selected to undergo fighter combat leader course at a very early stage. Subsequently he served on the staff of the prestigious 'Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment' (TACDE). In recognition of his exceptional professional abilities, he was deputed to a friendly country to train their pilots. He has been the Flight Commander and Commanding Officer of elite frontline fighter squadron. He has also commanded a major Air Defence Direction Centre responsible for the defence of a very vital area on the Western Front. He has been the Chief Operations Officer of a premier frontline fighter base and was specifically selected to fill the sensitive appointment of Air-1 at Western Air Command. On 09 Mar 92 he was appointed Air Officer Commanding of an important base in western sector. The area around the base was affected by high militant activity and personnel and the facility at the base were potential targets. Air Cmde Pingali mustered the resources at his command and ensured the personnel, their families and the base facilities were well protected. Under his command the Air Force Station and its lodger units met all their operational tasks in the most professional and commendable fashion, and stood out amongst the very best. The station won the 'best fighter base' trophy of Western Air Command for two consecutive years 1992 and 1993. Additionally, the units based on the station won the 'best fighter squadron' and the 'best missile squadron' trophies of AVSM 1994 Western Air Command for the year 1992-93. In Oct 92, WAC held a major exercise after a gap of four years. Air Cmde Pingali was assigned the task of planning and implementing the build up phase of the exercise. He undertook this Herculean task very systematically without any compromise on flight safety. He endeavoured and ensured the improvement in combat skills of the crew. It was largely due to this planning that the overall objectives of the main exercise were achieved most convincingly. Air Commodore Sitaramaiah Pingali has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order. | 
