Gp Capt Anil Kumar Trikha has been posted to HQ Western Air Command as Ops 1A since 15 Nov 89.

On assumption of duties, he quickly came to grips with the varied operational and training requirement of the forces under Western Air Command. His first major assignment was to revise the operational plans of WAC. However, the rapidly deteriorating situation in J&K necessitated immediate formulation of interim contingency plans. This involved intensive planning as regards redeployment of forces and updating of strike plans. Close co-ordination with the other branches was imperative to ensure prompt positioning of various armament stores and ground support equipment. Gp Capt Trikha worked tirelessly to accomplish these complex tasks with the utmost speed and efficiency within the prescribed time frame.

Consequent to the issue of revised Op Instructions by Air Headquarters, WAC plans were again recast. Gp Capt Trikha again applied himself to the enormous staff work involved and finished the task in time.

Apart from revision of operational plans, Gp Capt Trikha managed the routine tasks connected with the operational training of forces under WAC in a most methodical manner. He delegated responsibility wherever possible but never compromised on the high standard of staff work he set for himself. He invariably worked untiringly well beyond the usual working hours, sometimes without a break for months.

For his extreme devotion to duty, extraordinary capacity for hard work and total dedication to service the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt AK Trikha.

Air Commodore Anil Kumar Trikha was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 18 Apr 1964. He participated in the 1965 operations as a very young pilot. He was selected to undergo the Flying Instructor Course. An A2 Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) he was selected to serve on the staff of Flying Instructor School. Later he was selected to serve as a QFI on deputation to a friendly country. An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) he also served as Directing Staff in the same institution. He is also qualified as a Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) AVSM 1995-96 and commanded a front line MiG­21 squadron. He was specially selected to undergo a specialist operationally oriented course abroad. Thereafter, he served on the operational staff at Air Headquarters and in the Military Wing of the Cabinet Secretariat before being posted as the Chief Operations Officer of a Jaguar base. His demonstrated performance both in the field and on staff qualified him eminently for a key appointment on the air staff of Western Air Command. For his distinguished service, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 1992.

On promotion to Air Commodore, he was appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Air Force Station Ambala. In the year and a half that he has been AOC Air Force Station Ambala he used his vast experience in the field and on staff to train the personnel to his station, demanding all round excellence from them. When certain technical problems laid low the Jaguar fleet for an extended period of time, the quality of his leadership ensured that the personnel of Jaguar squadrons and those supporting them were kept constructively occupied and their morale maintained at a high level. At the same time, he associated himself with efforts and trials to upgrade the air defence environment of the Air Force.

Air Commodore Anil Kumar Trikha VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Anil Kumar Trikha AVSM VSM (8436) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 18 Apr 1964. He has 3238h of flying to his credit. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor arid Fighter Combat Leader (FCL). He is an alumnus of Defence Service Staff College. During his 38 years of career in the IAF, he has held a number of challenging command, staff and instructional appointments, which include CO of a fighter Squadron, flying instructor in a friendly foreign country, Chief Operations Officer of a Jaguar base and Comdt of College of Air Warfare as well as National Defence Academy. Presently, Air Mshl Trikha is AOC-in-C Southern Air Command since 01 Jan 03. While serving as Ops 1A at HQ WAC, Air Mshl Trikha revised the Op Plans of WAC based on threat perception and latest tactical concepts. This involved intensive planning as regard to deployment of forces, updating of strike plans and co-ordination with other branches to ensure prompt and appropriate logistic support. He had also participated in the 1965 and 1971 operations as a very young pilot, for which he was mentioned in despatches in 1972. He was specially selected to undergo a specialist operationally oriented course abroad. Thereafter, he served on the operational staff at Air Headquarters and in the Military Wing of the Cabinet Secretariat. For his distinguished service, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 1992 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1995.

As Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of an operational base, Air Mshl Trikha used his vast experience in the field and on staff to train the personnel of his station, demanding all round excellence. He associated himself closely with efforts and trials to upgrade the air defence environment of the Base. In Mar 95, he was appointed Air Advisor in the High Commission of India, London and later Commandant of College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad. During his tenure as AD Commander in Southwestern Air Command, Gandhinagar, he was instrumental in redrafting the existing Op instructions based on the current requirement of deployment and Air Defence philosophy. As Commandant, National Defence Academy in 2001-02, he rejuvenated the training syllabi based on current Military scenario. He revolutionised the IT scene at NDA by introducing the LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network). The entire Academy were connected on LAN/WAN, which never existed before. With his personal initiative he ensured the construction of a double perimeter wall around the 9000 acres to enhance security of the Academy.

As AOC-in-C, Southern Air Command he has brought about all round improvements in the field of Operations, Maintenance, Administration and welfare of the personnel. Under his leadership and guidance SAC is ever willing to shoulder heavy responsibilities and additional tasks.

Air Mshl AK Trikha has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.