Air Marshal Gandharva Sen was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in January, 1953. A graduate from the National Defence College, he has held a variety of important command and staff appointments during his long service career.

In 1981 he took over command of a major forward fighter base. Under his inspiring leadership and guidance, the station was brought up to the highest level of operational preparedness. He also made significant improvements in the administrative infrastructure, support services and the welfare facilities.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal in November, 1986 he took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of an Operational Air Command. In this assignment, he again brought to bear his professional excellence and dedication and was instrumental in augmenting the combat capability of different elements of the Command, thereby enhancing the overall operational effectiveness of the IAF.

In his present appointment as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of an operational air command, his dynamism, dedication and managerial skills were brought to bear on the entire range of air operations in Sri Lanka. Because of his inspiring leadership, induction of and logistic support for the Indian Peace Keeping Force was planned and executed with meticulous precision and efficiency. The successful conduct of air operations in Maldives is another remarkable achievement of Air Marshal Sen. His meticulous planning and its precise execution was a brilliant example of rapid response in strategic deployment of our troops and resources.

Air Marshal Gandharva Sen, AVSM, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Raj Kumar Nehra, VSM (4I518) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the Indian air Force on 07 Sep 1953. During his long and distinguished career he has hold a variety of command and staff appointments with distinction. A Mechanical Engineer of outstanding merit, he was selected to undergo the prestigious Flight Test Engineering Course at the Flight Test School in France.

One of the first two 'Flight Test Engineers' of the I.A.F., he was responsible for organising flight trials of a variety of aircraft and equipment and was instrumental in establishing new and modern testing facilities at the Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment. His innovative approach in planning, conduct of flight trials and data reduction of test results, was pioneering work of its type. He was awarded Vishisht Seva Modal in 1978.

During the command of a vital Base Repair Depot, he not only achieved a higher rate of production of engines but also introduced an advanced and efficient method of spares forecasting for engine overhauls. He was also responsible for pioneering the work of manufacture of aeronautical quality rubber seals in the country. Between 1982 and 1986, while Director of three different Directorates in Air Headquarters, the Air Officer displayed outstanding professional knowledge, capacity for hard work and an incisive approach to problems while dealing with a wide range of aircraft, weapons and other systems. His staff assessments and analysis of technological parameters have significantly contributed to the selection of the right weapon systems/ equipment for the IAF.

He has served as Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at two Commands, where he achieved qualitative improvements in Maintenance Standards and practices. He was able to inculcate a sense of urgency among the technical staff and make them more responsive to operational needs, while reducing costs through innovations. He is presently holding the prestigious appointment of Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance where he has brought to bear his vast experience and professionalism to enhance the effectiveness of Maintenance and logistic activities of the entire Air Force.

Air Marshal Raj Kumar Nehra, VSM has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Har Krishan Oberai, AVSM VM (4583) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 14th October 1953. He has held a number of important command and staff appointments, with distinction and exhibiting a flair for Innovation and pioneering work.

He has during his service carried out extensive strategic reconnaissance and aerial survey of unsurveyed territory in the North, stretching from Aksai Chin to Arunachal Pradesh. This work has been of lasting value for operational planning and natural resource mapping of the area. Later he served with distinction as the Flight Commander and, subsequently, as a Squadron Commander of the Air Headquarters Communication Squadron, The Air Officer was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for his contribution during the 1971 war,

Air Marshal Oberai has served as Director of Personnel (Officers), Director Plans and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans). In these appointments he inducted scientific methods of approach, and through his conceptual ability and capability to pursue goals, was able to achieve results of a high order. Later on, as Commandant of the Air Force Academy, he brought about qualitative Improvement not only in the training, systems and standards, but also In the field of maintenance and general administration.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, he was appointed as the Senior Air Staff Officer of an operational command where his wide experience vividly contributed to the operational preparedness and performance of the Command.

Air Marshal Oberai In his present appointment as the Air Officer-incharge Personnel at Air HQ, is continuing to enhance the quality of personnel management and development of human resources in the Indian Air Force.

Air Marshal Har Krishan Oberai, AVSM VM (4563) Flying (Pilot) has thus rendered distinguished services of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Brijesh Dhar Jayal was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on the 8th October, 1955. His entire career has been marked with outstanding contributions in augmenting the operational potential and preparedness of the IAF. A test pilot of a very high calibre and a product of the Empire Test Pilot School, United Kingdom, he has held a variety of command and staff appointments.

In 1979, as a leader of the Jaguar Project Team in the UK, he was instrumental in the smooth and rapid induction of the aircraft in the service.

After graduating from the National Defence College in 1985 he was appointed Director Air Staff Requirements at Air Headquarters. Here, he displayed intense farsightedness in respect of the future requirements of aircraft, weapons and other equipment for continuous upgradation of operational potential. On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal he took over as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans). His acumen for planning and clear perception of long term requirements has been a contributory factor in formulating plans which are of immense value to the IAF in particular and the nation as a whole.

Before recently taking over as DCAS, the Air Officer had held the appointment of ACAS (Operations) with distinction.

Air Marshal Brijesh Dhar Jayal, AVSM, VM & Bar has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.