Wing Commander Raj Pal Singh Garcha was posted to Air Headquarters Communication Squadron for the third tenure on 03 Mar 80. A highly experienced transport pilot, he has 6058 command hours to his credit. He has a total of 2340 hours in the VVIP, VIP role on HS-748, TU-124 and Boeing-737 aircraft and has a Category A/MG on the C119 G/L, TU124, HS-748 and B-737 aircraft. In addition, he is an A-2 QFI.

During his service, he has held appointments of Flight Commander at Elementary Flying School, Bidar and Transport Training Wing. In addition, he has had a tenure at the Aircrew Examination Board. Presently, he holds the appointment of Flight Commander, Boeing Flight and is the command and type examiner on HS-748 and B-737 aircraft respectively.

As part of his duties, Wg Cdr Garcha was entrusted with the in­unit conversion to B-737 of the second batch comprising four pilots in June, 1981. He undertook the challenging task with characteristic zeal and dedication to duty. The result of his untiring effort was the categorization of all the four pilots in 1981, of which one was A/MG, two were awarded B/MG and one awarded B/ Green categories respectively. In addition he undertook the task of training and preparation of newly inducted HS-748 pilots for the Categorization Board.

His qualities of cool courage in the face of danger, professionalism and selfless devotion to duty were displayed on 13 May 83 when he carried out a precautionary landing at Hyderabad after a suspected tyre failure with no less an eminent personage than the Vice President of India on board.

For his outstanding qualities of courage in the face of danger, professionalism and self devotion to duty, the President id pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Wing Commander Raj Pal Singh Garcha.

Air Commodore RPS Garcha, VM was commissioned on 18 Apr 1964 as a Pilot. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has been an Air Force Examiner. He was awarded VM in 1985 for skillful handling of an Airborne emergency while carrying the President of India. He was specially selected to train the pilots of a friendly country from 1986 to 1988.

He commanded an IL-76 Squadron for two years and was thereafter appointed Commanding Officer of the prestigious Air HQ Communication Squadron. He has held the highest category and instrument rating on eight different types of transport aircraft and is the only pilot to hold Cat 'A' on all three jet transport aircraft of the IAF. He has distinguished himself by his long, impeccable and unblemished flying career of over 11500 hrs of accident/incident free flying. He has often been called upon by DGCA to give his valuable recommendations in the investigation of major civil air accident. AVSM 1996

The Air Officer was appointed Air Officer Commanding of AF Station Palam in Jan 94. Under his stewardship the Air Force Day Parades 1994 and 1995 were a great success and every aspect of the activities involved showed his personal involvement and keenness to achieve the highest standards. He is also a keen sportsman and has given a boost to the already existing sports facilities at AF Station Palam,

Air Commodore Raj Pal Singh Garcha has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.