Air Vice Marshal Purnendu Kumar Mukherjee (7698) F (P) was commissioned on 28 Oct 1963. in 37 years of distinguished service he has held several important staff and command assignments. He has flown over 3000 hrs on various fighter aircraft and has been Chief Ops Officer and Air Officer Commanding of major flying bases. He was mentioned in despatches for distinguished services rendered in 1971 war.

AVM Mukherjee was posted as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (FS&I) with effect from 03 Feb 97 and functioned in the appointment till 06 Jan 2000. With his vast experience in various field and staff appointments at Air HQ, it did not take him long to apply himself to the important aspects of Flight Safety and Inspection under the IGs branch.

He was the driving force for institutionalizing an operationally oriented relook at field units. Under his astute guidance, the inspection Directorates brought anew a host of operations related insights into the working of the field units. Some of the methods initiated were the Quality Audits on MiG-21s, AN-32, Bomb dumps and role equipment of fighter Units, an insightful look at Base Repair Depot functioning and security of a number of major Bases.

In Flight Safety, AVM Mukherjee was instrumental in commencing the framework for strengthening the FS organization in the HQ as well as field units. His tireless efforts also contributed towards gaining the sanction for the funds under Flt Safety code head which have provided the impetus for the improvement of flying environment at the airfields and keeping the airfield zones safe. Under his keen sense of propriety and integrity of the highest order, Quality Assurance gained momentum. His probing questions in all aspects of procurement of stores under QAS and timely guidance has provided the benchmark for future transactions.

Air Vice Marshal Purnendu Kumar Mukherjee has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.