Gp Capt Prithi Pal Singh Kahlon was posted to one of the Wings of Air Force as Chief Engineering Officer with effect from 31 Oct 88.

Towards the end of year 1988, a large number of AN-32 were due for 1800 hrs servicing. The agency for 1800 hrs servicing expressed its inability to take up this task. Gp Capt Kahlon set up a parallel line for 1800 hrs servicing at the Wing and serviced five AN32, thus reducing the downtime of the fleet.

Task of integrating nose wheel steering system of AN-32 with CWS was allotted to his Wing. Gp Capt Kahlon guided a group of technicians and developed a modification which has completed more than 100 landing on AN-32 aircraft. To facilitate fast retrieval of AN-32 aircraft stranded at ALGs due to unserviceable APU, he motivated another group of technicians to develop an SOP of starting u/s aircraft from APU of another aircraft.

Commutated Axial Direction Finder (CADF) was installed at his wing in Aug 88 by M/S GCEL Ltd. The firm could commission only the first channel of the equipment. Gp Capt Kahlon took up the task and motivated a team of technicians to commission the second channel of CADF in Dec 89.

Constant Current Regulators (CCRS) of airfield lighting system were partially serviceable due to un-serviceability of over voltage/over current relays. Remote switching panel of this system was also unserviceable due to non-availability of spare parts. Gp Capt Kahlon organised a special task force which repaired all the CCRs and remote switching panel by using indigenous spares.

For his unstinted devotion to duty and professionalism of the highest order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt PPS Kahlon.

Air Commodore Pirthi Pal Singh Kahlon, VSM (7979) AE(M) was commissioned on 12 Oct 64 in the AE(M) branch and is posted as AOC, AF Station, Jalahalli since 16 Oct 95. Air Officer has held important appointments of STO No 1 and 10 Squadrons, CEO No. 10 Wing, JD MiG-27(Weapon Systems), CO No 1 TETTRA etc.

During 1971 operations, the officer devised mechanised loading of Canberra Bombers in the blast pen itself, thereby resulting in reduced turn around time. As the first STO of MiG-23 BN ac, the officer was instrumental in the Squadron attaining Ops status within a short period of three months.

At Air Force Station, Jalahalli, the Air Officer Commanding, through his dynamic leadership, has given a new orientation and impetus to achieve high quality of Training, through utilisation of the CAI Packages and introduction of paper­less examination. Jalahalli has perpetually suffered from acute shortage of water due to successive failure of Monsoons. Air officer has displayed vision, persuasive skills and leadership in liaising with the State Govt and other agencies to find alternate means to supply required quantity of water. The station is now better placed with adequate internal generation and has thus avoided disruption in training. The Station, with a few villages interspersed, was afflicted with a spate of robberies of Sandal Wood. Air Officer displayed daring and tenacity in stopping the robberies through imaginative utilisation of security measures and intelligence. He also enlisted the support of Civil Police and Forest Dept who were otherwise reluctant to undertake preventive measures.

With a trainee population of 4000 and a total population of about 8000, Administration of Air Force Station, Jalahalli presents, at the best of times, a formidable task. Air Officer has discharged his responsibility admirably. He has brought about tremendous improvement in the quality of life and through ingenious Financial Management, added a total of nearly Rs. one Crore to the NPF of the Station. Air Commodore Pirthi Pal Singh Kahlon, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.