Air Marshal Hirendra Nath Chatterjee was commissioned as a Pilot in the Flying Branch of the Air Force in August, 1940. He was one of the first Flying Instructors to be trained in the IAF and made significant contribution in that capacity both during World War II and later in the development of the Air Force. He served with distinction with a Squadron in Burma Campaign, when he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry. After Independence, he rendered valuable service as Chief Instructor of the Air Force Flying School, and laid the foundation of what is now the Air Force Academy. He also played an important part in setting up training facilities and framing policies and plans for the expansion of the Air Force. More recently, Air Marshal Chatterjee has been Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance, at Air Headquarters, Air Officer Commandingin-Chief Maintenance Command and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command. Since March 1971 Air Marshal Hirendra Nath Chatterjee has been responsible for the operational training and readiness of the Air Force as a whole. He played a leading part in planning and coordinating the activities of the three Operational Commands during the recent war with Pakistan. Throughout his career, Air Marshal Chatterjee has brought to his duties a sound knowledge of military aviation in all its aspects, and the ability to tackle the most difficult tasks in a quite and methodical manner. Through the many important posts that he has held, he has done much for the development and strengthening of the Indian Air Force, leading up to its success in the recent Indo-Pak conflict. He has rendered service of the most exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Maurice Barker has been the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command since April, 1971. During the recent Indo-Pakistan war Air Vice Marshal Barker's Command was responsible for all bomber, transport, and maritime operations. Despite having been in the Command for a relatively short period of time, Air Vice Marshal Barker was able to organize his forces and control them most effectively. Under his guidance, the bomber force kept up a continuous series of attacks deep in enemy territory, both in East and West Pakistan. Later with neutralization of the Pakistan Air Force in the East, his bombers played an important role in supporting our land forces by day in that area. The bombers were also used to very good effect against targets in support of the Army along the Western border. On the transport side, Air Vice Marshal Barker collaborated with Eastern Air Command to enable the latter to launch a very successful airborne operation in East Pakistan. The speed and efficiency with which the operation was mounted, and the good results achieved by it, testify to the high quality of the planning and staff work that was put into it by Air Vice Marshal Barker and his staff. Likewise, valuable air support was given by units under his control to the Navy in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. In undertaking the numerous and vital tasks of his Command, Air Vice Marshal Barker displayed a ready understanding of operational plans and problems, and organising ability and determination in dealing with them. His tact and personal leadership contributed much to the success of his Command's operations. He has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Dadi Ardesh Mehta (1625) Flying Branch (Navigator) was posted as Senior Directing Staff (Air) at the National Defence College on 25 Jan 67 as a culmination of a distinguished career in the Indian Air Force.

With his intellectual bent of mind, Air Vice Marshal Mehta has made a significant contribution to the success of this young institution. Over the years, he has devoted all his energies to the onerous task of directing the individual and syndicate studies of the student officer undergoing the course at the College. His wide knowledge of Indian and International affairs and his uncanny grasp of changing world situation have enabled him to give of his best to this institution; and thereby made it possible for the student officers to derive the maximum possible benefit from their studies.

In spite of, and without regard to his rather indifferent health, Air Vice Marshal Mehta spared no pains in the planning meticulously the various tours undertaken by the student officers during the course. By his untiring efforts he ensured that the student officers saw and learnt as much as possible during the short time available to them.

Above all, Air Vice Marshal Mehta endeared himself to one and all, both student officers and staff, by his unassuming manners and affable disposition. He has been a great source of inspiration to all those who have passed through the portals of the National Defence College. He has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Bandi Sreeramulu Krishnarao was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in October, 1941. Early in his career, he qualified as a flying instructor and subsequently rose to become the Chief Instructor in the principal flying training institution of the Air Force. A large number of pilots serving in the Air Force were trained by him personally or under his supervision. He saw service in a fighter squadron and successfully commanded a Technical Training Unit and a major Air Force flying base. He served with distinction as the Air Attach ear our Embassy in the USSR for nearly three years.

Before taking over his appointment as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations), he served as Senior Air Staff Officer of an Operational Command Headquarters for over three years. Under his guidance, the flying potential of the Command and its preparedness to undertake the tasks allotted to it grew considerably. He inspired the staff of the Command Headquarters and the units by his indefatigable efforts, single mindedness in pursuing his objectives, and his devotion to duty.

Throughout, Air Vice Marshal Krishnarao has rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Amolak Singh Rikhy (2024) was commissioned in the Engineering Branch of the Indian Air Force in 1943. During his service, he has held many important field and staff appointments with distinction.

Since 1954 he has served almost continuously on deputation with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., first as General Manager of the Kanpur Division, then briefly as Managing Director of the Nasik, Hyderabad and Koraput Divisions, and from early 1969, as Managing Director of the Bangalore Division.

When Air Vice Marshal Rikhy first joined HAL, the Kanpur Division was in a state of flux as a consequence of its transfer from the Air Force to Company management. AVM Rikhy dealt with its many administrative and technical problems with patience, perseverance and deep understanding. Working conditions and technical practices were greatly improved and there was a four fold increase in production.

The Bangalore Division of HAL has now been under AVM Rikhy's care fro nearly three years. This is the oldest and largest Division of HAL, manufacturing six types of aircraft and three types of engines. Here again, during the period of his stewardship. AVM Rikhy has greatly strengthened the administration and working of aircraft and engine factories.

Wherever he has served, both in the Air Force and in HAL; AVM Rikhy has won the confidence of his colleagues and workers. His high professional knowledge and outstanding ability as an Engineer and a Manager have contributed much to the efficiency of the Air Force and the aircraft industry. He has rendered exceptional service of the most exceptional order.

Air Commodore Chandersekhar Rao Kurpad served in the Technical Signals Branch of the Indian Air Force for 25 years, from 1943 to 1968. During this period he held many staff and field appointments concerned with the training of technical personnel and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment.

In 1965, Air Commodore Kurpad was deputed to Bharat Electronics Ltd., where he was appointed Project Manager with responsibility of progressing the manufacture and supply of vital equipment for the Air Force. In 1964, he was selected to head the planning unit for the electronics factory that was to be set up as part of the MiG-21 project. He was subsequently appointed General Manager of the factory, which became the Hyderabad Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. He served in that capacity on deputation from the Indian Air Force. In 1969 he was appointed Managing Director of the MiG Complex, made up by the Nasik and Koraput Divisions along with Hyderabad Division . That same year, Air Commodore Kurpad was permitted to retire from the Air Force and take up permanent service with HAL.

Throughout his service in the Air Force and on deputation to BEL and HAL, Air Com modore Kurpad has consistently displayed a very high level of professional and managerial ability. He worked quietly, with patience and perseverance, to set up the Air Force's school for electrical and electronic trades. In HAL, his performance as General Manager of the Hyderabad Division and later as Managing Director of the MiG Complex has been outstanding and has contributed a great deal to the success of the MiG project.

Air Commodore Chandersekhar Rao Kurpad has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Commodore Mohan Bhaskaran joined the Indian Air Force as a technician in January, 1936. In recognition of his abilities, he was commissioned into the Technical Engineering Branch in December, 1943. he retired from the IAF in 1958, when he accepted permanent service with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

Air Commodore Bhaskaran has had an outstanding career as an Engineer. During World War II he served as an Engineering Officer with an operational squadron in the North-West Frontier Province and in Burma. The technical knowledge, drive and organizing ability that he brought to his task enabled the squadron to maintain the highest serviceability for its type of aircraft tin the theaters where it operated.

After independence, he spent many years in senior engineering appointments at major Air Force flying bases and Repair Depots. During this period, he made very significant contributions to improving the maintenance organisation of the Air Force.

In 1963 Air Commodore Bhaskaran was placed in-charge of a project team for the setting up of an airframe factory for the manufacture of the MiG-21 aircraft in India. In the following years, he was appointed General Manager of the Factory, which became the Nasik Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. He continues to be in that appointment to this day.

Manufacture of sophisticated aircraft such as the MiG-21 calls for technical and managerial ability of the highest order. Air Commodore Bhaskaran has displayed these qualities in ample measure. Construction of the airframe factory began in 1964, and the first aircraft was delivered from it two years later, in 1966. In the intervening period, Air Commodore Bhaskaran trained his workmen, erected the manufacturing plant and initiated the assembly and testing of aircraft more or less simultaneously. Thereafter, he has consistently fulfilled the manufacture programme despite many difficulties inherent in a sophisticated project of this type. Credit for this is due to Air Commodore Bhaskaran's untiring efforts and unremitting zeal.

Air Commodore Bhaskaran has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.