Gp Capt Subhash Chandra Rastogi was commissioned in the IAF on 25 Dec 64. In Mar 88, he took over command of an opera tional and highly sensitive Air Defence unit equipped with a sophisticated modern radar. His total involvement in the operational functioning of the unit was responsible for his unit being declared the best Signal Unit in Western Air Command for two consecutive years.

Gp Capt Rastogi has willingly accepted all additional tasks assigned to his unit irrespective of their nature and performed them in a commendable manner. During his tenure, the co-operation between Fighter Pilots and Fighter Controllers reached new high due to his personal efforts to enhance the output of the Air Defence System. Gp Capt Rastogi carried out a review of the maintenance practices in the unit and has improved the reliability of the radar to a great extent.

For his result-oriented initiative and sustained efforts to upgrade the operational efficiency of his unit, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt SC Rastogi.

Air Vice Marshal Subhash Chandra Rastogi VSM (8999) F (P) was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on 25 Dec 1964. During his career, he has held numerous key Command and Staff appointments, performing with distinction in every assignment. He was awarded the VSM in 1990 while serving at ADDC, Barnala. He has undergone the Experimental Test Pilots Course in the UK and is alumnus of DSSC and NDC.

As Commandant ASTE, he pioneered the installation of a telemetry system, which fulfilled a long outstanding need for an advanced flight test support system in the IAF. As AOC of an Air Base in the Eastern Sector, he resurrected the Base for fighter operations within one month of completion of runway repairs. It was primarily due to his tireless efforts and exemplary ability to marshal available resources that the entire operational support infrastructure of navigation aids, PAR, runway barriers and lighting were made functional in record time. While attending the national security course at the NDC in 1997, the officer was awarded the gold medal for his thesis on the subject of 'Defence Expenditure in India'.

As ACAS (Plans) at Air Headquarters he has worked to progress various projects and programmes of modernizing the IAF in the post Kargil period. In the Plans branch, he has revivified the entire planning process with constant focus on optimum utilization of the capital budget. His budget planning for new acquisition for 2000-2001 has been done after detailed interactions with the user directorates as well as the MOD, so as to make the whole process more scientific and precise. His commendable efforts have already resulted in materialization of five contracts worth Rs. 1045 crores in the first quarter of financial year 2000-2001. His considerable conceptual and analytical ability, as also his deep study of the acquisition process, came to the fore during his presentation to the Standing Committee of Parliament, the Arun Singh Task Force for the Management of Defence and the VCOAS Committee on Defence Procurement.

His personal grit, determination and dedication to work show up in sharp relief by the way he combated and overcame the crippling injuries he sustained in a flying accident many years ago, to be counted among the best in the IAF.

Air Vice Marshal Subhash Chandra Rastogi VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.