During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Maneck Bomanshaw Madon, as a senior pilot of a Fighter Bomber Squadron, carried out several operational missions against enemy gun positions and troop concentrations in the Khem Karan Sector. On the 10th December, 1971, he was detailed to carry out Rocket Pod and Front Gun Missions along the Ichogil Canal. He located the well dug­in defensive positions of the enemy and carried out four attacks on them despite heavy ground fire. During these attacks, though his aircraft was hit on the wing resulting in fuel leakage and he faced control difficulty, he brought the damaged aircraft to the base.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Maneck Bomanshaw Madon displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Manek Bomanshaw Madon, VM has been in command of a front line fighter squadron since 22 Jun 1983. He has 3600 hours of flying to his credit of which about 2000 hours are on supersonics. He is a Fighter Combat Leader and a Qualified Flying Instructor.

Under his command and leadership, the Squadron has made remarkable operational achievements which include a significantly greater flying effort, improved operational status of pilots, an impeccable flying safety record, extraordinary aircraft serviceability and better utilization of aircraft and manpower resources.

During an exercise held in Feb 84, the Squadron flew over 300 hours, accomplished successfully all tasks assigned to it and maintained a 100% serviceability state at detachment.

For these commendable achievements attributable to his leadership, dedication to duty, resourcefulness and ability to produce results, the President is pleased to award Bar to Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Bomanshaw Madon.

Air Vice Marshal Manek Bomanshaw Madon VM & Bar (7681) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the IAF as a pilot on 28 Oct 63. He has commanded a frontline fighter squadron, been the Chief Operations Officer at Srinagar and commanded a premier fighter base. He has also held demanding staff appointments like the Air-I of an Operational Command and a Project Manager in the MoD. He is an alumnus of the National Defence College. He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry in 1971 war and a Bar to it for distinguished service in 1985. He has almost 5000 hours of accident free flying. In every appointment the Air Officer has acquitted himself with credit.

AVM MB Madon has been the Commandant of the Air Force Academy since December 1995. During his tenure, the Alma Mater of all the Air Force pilots and non-technical ground duty officers has undergone a sea change with an aesthetically appealing face­lift and a quantum leap in the standard of training. The cadets who graduate from here are enthused with a fire born out of conviction and dedication that only a thorough professional can inspire. In all aspects of training, from flying to class-room activity to extra­curriculum fora, he has put his indelible stamp of uncompromising quality. During his tenure, all training has been successfully completed within the stipulated time frame regardless of natural or other constraints and hurdles. Providing leadership by personal, example has been his hallmark. With the induction of trainees of technical courses, the Air Force Academy today is racing towards its ultimate aim of becoming an Air University. Complicated and sophisticated joint training programme were drawn out within a short span of two months without compromising on the standards of ongoing training. This task was meticulously completed by AVM Madon with attention to every detail.

Air Vice Marshal Manek Bomanshaw Madon VM & Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Manek Bomanshaw Madon AVSM VM & Bar (7681) F (P) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 28 Oct 1963. During his long career of thirty-eight years, he has distinguished himself in some extremely important Command and Staff appointments. He has commanded a front line fighter squadron and an important operational base. He has also commanded the prestigious Air Force Academy and served in demanding staff appointments like the Air-I and Air Defence Commander in Operational Commands. Presently he is Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at Western Air Command.

An outstanding pilot, he has 5000 hrs of accident free flying to his credit. He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry in the 1971 war, and Bar to the VM in 1985. For distinguished service of a very high order, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal while he was Commandant of the Air Force Academy. Air Mshl Madon is a graduate of two inter-services institutions, the College of Defence Management and the National Defence College.

During his tenure, as Commandant of the Air Force Academy all training had been successfully completed within the stipulated time frame regardless of natural or other constraints and hurdles. Complicated and sophisticated joint training programmes were drawn out within a short span without compromising on the standards of training. As a result of the initiatives taken by him, the Air Force Academy today is racing towards its ultimate aim of becoming an Air University.

Immediately after taking over as the SASO of Western Air Command, he set into motion a variety of measures aimed at sharpening the fighting edge of the most important command of the IAF. He has ensured high standards from not only the Command staff but also the field units in all fields of operational activity. He has reviewed and optimised training schedules and facilities at the operational bases towards ensuring safely and efficiency. His efforts and close monitoring of all Command policies has greatly helped in the achievement of a high state of operational preparedness and also a lower accident rate. All targets laid down, in fighter operations, in maintenance support by the Transport fleet in the development and progression of the computer network and in the field of Flight Safety have been achieved well within the stipulated time frames.

Air Marshal Manek Bomanshaw Madon AVSM VM & Bar has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.