Flight Lieutenant Bijoy Krishna Pandey has been serving in an operational squadron since April 1969. On 18th August 1970, he was detailed to fly on a Courier flight from Kanpur to Allahabad. After getting airborne at 1835 hours, when approximately 70 miles from Allahabad the port engine generator of the aircraft failed. The starboard propeller also started behaving in an erratic manner. The resulting violent 'snaky' motion made it difficult to control the aircraft. Unperturbed, he operated the propeller control to feathered position to check its erratic behaviour, but it kept wind-milling at low R.P.M. He then used the Auxiliary Power Plant generator to operate essential electrical service. Soon thereafter, the cockpit lights flickered and the cockpit was plunged in darkness. Smoke began to emanate from the Auxiliary Power Plant, ruling out a restart. As the sparks in the voltage regulator indicated an electric short circuit, the attempt to regain electrical power was also abandoned. By this time, the night had set in and a hand torch had to be used to scan the instruments. With vital equipment failing in quick succession, the situation was very grave. Flight Lieutenant Pandey, who had meanwhile turned back to return to base, finally succeeded in making safe single engine landing at Allahabad.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Bijoy Krishna Pandey displayed courage, high professional skill and devotion to duty.

Air Vice Marshal Bijoy Krishna Pandey VM (8990) F (P) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 25 Dec 64.

During his 36 years of dedicated service, the officer has held a number of important, difficult and challenging assignments both in India and abroad. He served as Air Attaché, Embassy of India at Kabul from Sept 89 to Sep 92, perhaps the three most turbulent years in the recent history of war ravaged Afghanistan. He successfully commanded Air Force Station Agra, one of the largest operational bases in the IAF which sustains high intensity flying operations throughout the year. At Air HQ, the officer held the appointment of Director System Application and Director Operations (T&H). In the recent past, he served as the deputy Commandant of the National Defence Academy. It was during his tenure that the NDA celebrated its Golden Jubilee, an infinitely complex exercise during which NDA hosted the Vice President of India as the Chief Guest, a large number of dignitaries and thousands of alumni of NDA. AVM BK Pandey has been with ARC since 28 Feb 2000, where he heads the Air Wing which is the largest wing of the ARC both in terms of manpower and assets. In less than eight months as Operation Manager ARC, AVM Pandey has initiated many reforms/measures which have had a positive impact on the work ethos of the Air Wing. The fleet modernization and other futuristic projects are being handled by him very systematically and efficiently which will ensure smooth implementation of various projects of importance to national security.

Air Vice Marshal Bijoy Krishna Pandey VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Bijoy Krishna Pandey AVSM VM (8990) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot on 25 Dec 64. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. During his distinguished service of over 38 years, he had held several challenging field, staff and instructional appointments, which include Director DICOST and Director Joint (Ops) Planning at Air HQ and Deputy Commandant NDA. He has also served as the Air Attaché, Embassy of India at Kabul during the three most turbulent years in the recent history of war ravaged Afghanistan. Presently, he is the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, IAF since 14 Feb 03.

AirMshlPandeyhasrendereddistinguished service in several important appointments. He has successfully commanded Air Force Station, Agra, one of the largest operational bases in the IAF, which sustains high intensityflying operations throughout the year. During his tenure as Deputy Commandant NDA, the Academy celebrated its Golden Jubilee, an infinitely complex exercise during which the NDA hosted the Vice President of India as the Chief Guest, a large number of dignitaries and thousands of alumni of NDA. As Operations Manager in Aviation Research Centre (ARC), he initiated many reforms/measures, which had a positive impact on the work ethos of the Air Wing. The fleet modernisation and other futuristic projects were handled by him very systematically and efficiently which have ensured smooth implementation of various projects of importance to national security. Air Mshl Pandey was awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) in 1971 for displaying superb professional skill and courage in saving valuable lives and an aircraft. He was awarded AVSM in 2001 for distinguished service of an exceptional order.

As AOC-in-C, Training Command he has implemented several measures directed at qualitative changes, having positive impact on the training philosophy and professional standards in the Air Force. He was also responsible for the conduct of the prestigious International Air Show 2003 at Bangalore as also, a number of other major exercises to promote awareness of the IAF amongst the youth in South India.

Air Mshl BK Pandey has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.