On 31st January 1967, the fuel in an aircraft caught fire during servicing operations. The airmen engaged in servicing raised an alarm and the fire fighting operations were immediately commenced. Flight Lieutenant Mohamed Raza Shirazi joined the group of men trying to extinguish the fire and took a leading part. He climbed on the main-plane of the burning aircraft at great risk and directed the nozzle of the fire fighting hose Into the Plenum chamber. The timely action prevented the fire which further, otherwise would have engulfed and destroyed the whole aircraft.

Flight Lieutenant Mohamed Raza Shirazi displayed courage and leadership.

Wg Cdr MR Shirazi has been commanding one of the 'Pechora' squadrons since 28 Jan 90. Even before the Squadron could receive its full complements of personnel, common user vehicles, communication equipment etc and stabilize as a fighting unit, operational conditions necessitated the move of one of its combat flights to an operational location. At the time this move was ordered, the Squadron had only a few officers and about half the total strength of technicians and other support staff on posted strength. Wg Cdr Shirazi moved combat flight 'Alpha' with its complete combat equipment, all specialist vehicles and communication equipment from a wing to its ops location by a special train. When the flight arrived at the ops site, it had only 4 officers, 50 airmen and 7 NCs(E) as the remaining personnel of the Squadron had been kept behind for manning combat flight 'Bravo', Tech Flight and Sqn HQs.

The 'Alpha' flight was tasked to provide air defence of a port and the oil jetties/tanks in the area. The most suitable site for deployment of the combat flight was located in scrub jungle with no approach roads. By personal liaison with various civil authorities, Wg Cdr Shirazi had the area cleared and approach road built. This enabled the flight to be deployed at the ops site in just 27 days. The flight continues to be deployed at this site till date.

In spite of acute shortage of manpower, with almost half of the available personnel being new and inexperienced, Wg Cdr Shirazi has managed to keep his combat flight at a high state of readiness and maintained the combat equipment at a very high serviceability state. The detachment has been operating from tented accommodation, under very difficult working and living conditions. In spite of these adverse conditions Wg Cdr Shirazi has managed to keep the morale of his men very high. In the past five months Wg Cdr Shirazi has relentlessly perused his efforts to make the living and working conditions of his detachment more comfortable.

For his outstanding qualities of leadership, unbound initiative, unflinching dedication to duty and exceptional hard work to achieve operational preparedness, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr MR Shirazi.