Group Captain Ashok Kumar Goel was commissioned in the flying Branch in Dec 1963. An officer with exceptional professional competence, he has 6700 hrs of accident free flying, mainly on operational tasks both in the Western and Eastern Sectors.

Group Captain Goel has always displayed a very high order of leadership, organizing ability, ingenuity and dedication under the most strenuous and trying conditions whether at home or abroad. Under his dynamic leadership, able guidance and close monitoring and supervision the entire team of aircrew achieved excellent grading while under going training on IL-76 aircraft in the Soviet Military Academy. Back home as the first commanding officer of the IL-76 Squadron, he accomplished the stupendous tasks involving the simultaneous equipment and change of location of the Squadron through his meticulous planning administrative acumen and astute management. Undeterred by the multiplicity and the complexities of the myriad problems in the fields of operation, maintenance and administration, Group Captain Goel, with his singular drive, extraordinary capacity for hard work and outstanding ability to train and motivate his subordinates, forged ahead to establish the Mighty Jet Squadron in a remarkably short period since its induction, as the most reliable and dependable workhorse in the country air transport operations. His cheerful acceptance of responsibilities, exceptional initiative and extraordinary diligence have been source of inspiration of everyone.

For his outstanding professionalism, selfless devotion, exemplary dedication to duty and leadership qualities of an exceptional order, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Group Captain Ashok Kumar Goel.

Air Commodore Ashok Kumar Goel VM (8151) F (P) was commissioned in the IAF on 31 Dec 63 as a transport pilot. Due to his exceptional performance he was selected to lead a tem of officers and airmen to the erstwhile USSR in 1984 for training on IL-76 aircraft before their induction into the IAF. On his return he was appointed the Commanding Officer (CO) of the first Il-76 Sqn of the IAF. He was awarded Vayu Seva Medal (VM) in recognition of his achievements as CO. He is presently the Commodore Commandant of the sqn he commanded.

Air Cmde Goel has over 7500 hrs of flying and has held the highest category and instrument rating on most of the transport aircraft. His extra ordinary understanding of transport operations led to his appointment as Joint Director Operations (Transport and Maritime) at Air HQ. He was the think tank behind the meticulous planning and successful execution of Ops Cactus - a milestone in the Maldives Operations.

On promotion to Air Cmde, he was posted as Air Officer Commanding at AF Station Agra. Subsequently he was posted as Air Officer Commanding at Air Force Station Chandigarh on 22 Jun 92. He was specially selected to take over his present command when the station was recovering from the effects of a fatal mid­air collision involving two transport aircraft. Exhibiting rare qualities of leadership he ensured that the station was back on rails and fully operational within the shortest period. In doing so, he fully justified the confidence that the Air HQ had reposed in him. Under his able leadership the wing has performed exceptionally well. It has met all the commitments, including the air maintenance tasks. This has been done without any additional resources being provided to the wing. The Air Officer has the unique distinction of being the Air Officer Commanding of two major transport bases of the IAF. Besides his outstanding contributions in the field of aviation, Air Cmde Goel has organized many Air Force Day parades and a number of Air Force Sports Championships highly successfully.

Air Commodore Ashok Kumar Goel VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Ashok Kumar Goel AVSM VM (8151) F (P) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 31 Dec 63, as a transport pilot. He has over 9000 h of flying and has held the highest category of instrument rating on most of the transport aircraft of the IAF fleet. During his 39 years of service, he has held various key Staff and field appointments. Notable amongst these are Officer Commanding of two frontline transport squadrons, Air Officer Commanding of two Wings of the IAF, Director Training at Air HQs and Chief Instructor (Air) at DSSC. He is an alumnus of College of Defence Management (CDM) and National Defence College (NDC). He was awarded VM in 1988 and AVSM in 1994. Presently he is the Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Eastern Air Command.

He was specially selected in 1984 to lead a team of officers and airmen for training on IL-76 aircraft in USSR and thereafter he was appointed the Commanding Officer of the first IL-76 Sqn of the IAF. With his extraordinary understanding of transport operations, he acted as a think tank behind the meticulous planning and successful execution of Op Cactus, a milestone in the Maldives Operations.

The Air Officer has the distinction of being the Air Officer Commanding of two major transport bases of the IAF. As SASO HQ EAC, he took keen interest in improving the overall operational, Flight Safety and Air Defence environment of the area. All air maintenance tasks, flood relief, casualty evacuation, counter insurgency operations and tasks given by Air HQ were achieved in the most professional manner. His varied field experience, broad knowledge base and outstanding resolve to use resources efficiently led to an optimum utilisation of the transport fleet in EAC. 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 and in the field of Flight Safety have been achieved well within the stipulated time frames.

Air Marshal Ashok Kumar Goel AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.