Air Marshal Prithvi Singh Brar AVSM & Bar VM was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in December, 1960. Since then he has held various flying and command appointments. His entire service has been marked with outstanding professionalism in every field of activity that he has been involved with. Throughout his distinguished career, he has always strived to set new standards in professional skill, dedication to duty and personal commitment. For his professional skill and leadership he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1981 and Ati Vishist Seva Medal in 1983. In 1989 he received Bar to AVSM for his dynamic leadership and sustained hard-work in commanding a base in the south western sector.

During his tenure as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command there has been remarkable all round improvements, not only in the operational capabilities of the various units under EAC, but also in the quality of life enjoyed by all personnel. One of the main tasks of the EAC is to undertake time bound training of budding fighter pilots prior to their induction into the front-line operational squadrons. In spite of manpower and other resource crunch, the pilot training has always been completed on time. Air Marshal Brar's innovative ideas and improved training programmes are the driving force behind this commendable achievement. His personal involvement in each and every aspect of command functions have resulted in many a innovations that have been implemented by other Commands in the IAF,

Air Marshal Prithvi Singh Brar AVSM & Bar VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Vinod Patney AVSM, VrC, was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 31 May 61. The officer is an outstanding pilot and took active part in 1965 and 1971 operations. He was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1996, Vir Chakra in 1965 and Mention-in-Despatches in 1971, by the President of India.

A graduate of RAF Staff College Bracknell, UK, Air Marshal Patney has held a variety of important operational and Staff appointments during his service career. He was specially selected to be part of the newly formed Career Planning Cell at Air HQ in 1973 and also as an Instructor at TACDE on its formation in 1976. He commanded a frontline fighter Squadron with credit and was selected for deputation abroad as an Instructor in 1980. He also has the distinction of having served as an Instructor at CAW and TACDE. As Chief Operations Officer of a prestigious fighter base and subsequently as an AOC of a premier fighter station he performed exceptionally well. He was also selected to be a founder member of Defence Planning Staff in 1987 followed by a tenure as an Air Adviser at High Commission of India in UK.

On promotion to the rank of AVM he was appointed as AOC J&K at a time when militancy in this strife torn state was at its peak. He acquitted himself creditably and performed a difficult task in adverse conditions with his outstanding skill and ingenuity. He was thereafter appointed Air Defence Commander at HQ WAC which was followed by an appointment as Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command, in the rank of Air Marshal.

Air Marshal Patney has the rare distinction of being AOC-in-C of two operational Commands of the IAF. He held the appointment of AOC-in-C, Central Air Command from 01 Jul 96 to 31 Mar 97 and on 01 Apr 97 he took over the reins of Western Air Command, which is the premier operational command of the IAF. As AOC-in-C of these two operational Commands of the IAF he has strived hard relentlessly to improve work culture, morale and motivation and operational preparedness of both the Commands. With his innovative skill and conceptual foresight he has introduced the concept of self help approach in almost all aspects of operations, maintenance and administration which has resulted in large savings to the exchequer by utilising untapped human and infrastructural resources available within the Command. He has been instrumental in initiating a series of major drives for clearance of vegetation at all airfields to reduce accidents due to bird strikes, beautification of technical and domestic areas at all stations, improving the quality of output by the MES and most important of all improving the quality of life of Air Force personnel specially at remote and difficult stations. Air Marshal Patney in a short time has given a tremendous impetus to the overall operational potential of Western Air command and has brought about a sea change in its operational preparedness state.

Air Marshal Vinod Patney AVSM, VrC has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal MS Vasudeva was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 31st May, 1961. During his long and distinguished career he has held a number of important command and staff appointments which include command of a large and active air base in the Eastern Sector, Addl Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) at Air HQ, Air Defence Commander at both Western Air Command and South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at the Central Air Command.

During the Indian Peace Keeping Operation in Sri Lanka (IPKF), the Air Marshal was appointed as the AOC, with the overall responsibility for planning and execution of all Air Operations in support of the IPKF, For 'Distinguished Service of Exceptional Order' in Sri Lanka, the Air Marshal was awarded the Presidential award of 'Uttam Yudh Seva Medal'.

A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington the Air Officer has held various staff appointments and has displayed remarkable clarity in thought and reasoning in modifying the Air Defence Philosophy while functioning as the Air Defence Commander in the Western and South Western Sector.

As the Deputy Chief of Air Staff he had overall responsibility of long term planning including the force structure planning of the Indian Air Force; laying down qualitative requirements for acquisition of all future equipment viz Aircraft, radars, weapons etc and testing of such systems for the future induction into the Air Force. Bulk of the work done by the Air Officer during this tenure remains on the highly classified list. However, his service to the Air Force specially in the field of Perspective Planning both in force structure planning and financial planning keeping in mind the realistic approach to operational needs of the IAF have gone a long way in enhancing the operational preparedness and capability of the IAF.

Air Marshal MS Vasudeva UYSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy is currently serving as the AOC-In-C of Central Air Command. He was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Dec 61. He is a highly qualified professional and has held many important field and staff appointments that include Deputy Air Adviser in London, AOC of a fighter base, DASR and ACAS (Plans) in Air HQ, SASO of an Operational Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. During the long 36 years service, he worked tirelessly toward, enriching the Air Force with his professional acumen, sincerity and devotion.

Air Marshal Krishnaswamy is operational on a variety of aircraft including the Mirage2000. He flew the Gnat during the 1965 war and earned Mention-in-Despatches. Later he qualified to become a test pilot and a Fighter Combat Leader. He made immense contribution as a test pilot in developing the Ajeet and HF-24 aircraft and indigenous weapon systems and has captained near about 35 varieties of aircraft and helicopters. He evaluated the Mirage-2000 and the SU-30 before their induction in Service. In the operational field, he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal for his contribution while in the staff of TACDE and a Bar to VM for display of professionalism and leadership while in command of the first Electronic Warfare squadron of the IAF.

During his tenure as DASR and ACAS (Plans) at Air HQ he made significant contribution to the development of Light Combat Aircraft and Advanced Light Helicopter as a member of the Technical Committee and Special Review Committees. As the ACAS (Plans) and later as the DCAS, he led the activities towards casting the Air Force modernisation programme and initiated important acquisitions and aircraft upgrades. He was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for his contribution in 1996.

Considering his vast knowledge and experience in the field of aviation, the officer was often called upon to participate in trials and review of many important programmes. He undertook flight testing on combat aircraft even while on staff appointment. In his higher appointments as SASO and AOC-in-C, Air Marshal Krishnaswamy directed his vision towards enhancing the combat worthiness of the Indian Air Force, development of human resource and improving the quality of life. He supervised and conducted Air Force exercises and demonstrations in an exemplary manner. He reviewed and optimised training schedules and facilities at operational bases towards enhancing safety and efficiency.

Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy AVSM, VM and Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Krishnan Narayanan Nair was commissioned on 19 Dec 61. He has to his credit over 7300 hours of accident free flying on various transport and trainer aircraft. He was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff in August 65 for having achieved more than 2175 hours of flying on Dakota aircraft in Ladakh and has logged over 2500 hours of instructional flying on various types of aircraft. His command tenures include 48 Squadron, Administrative Training Institute, Sambre, Air Force Station Agra and the prestigious Air Force Academy. He has held several senior key staff appointments in which he has served with high distinction. He is also the Commodore Commandant of 48 Squadron. For his distinguished services of an exceptional order he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 95. During his tenure as the Senior Air Staff Officer of Training Command, Air Marshal Nair played a key role in the formulation of the new pattern for training for the pilots of the Indian Air Force in Jan 96. His personal involvement and dedicated application were patently evident in the efficacious implementation of this training pattern leading to increased efficiency in training. Air Marshal Nair played an active role in the initial establishment and training of the aerobatic display team of the Indian Air Force, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team. It was also during this period that the Aero India 96 was held at Air Force Station Yelahanka under the overall control of Training Command. The meticulous planning and attention to detail which were instrumental in making this show an unqualified success have been in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force and earned kudos not only for the Indian Air Force but also for the Nation as a whole from the world aviation community.

Air Marshal Nair has been appointed as the AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command on 01 May 97. Since then he has spared no effort to give a new direction and thrust to the all round activities of the men under his command, both in the professional field and in the field of improvement in the quality of life.

The selfless and dedicated service rendered by Air Marshal Nair is worthy of emulation. He has displayed noteworthy skill in motivating his subordinates to perform to their potential for achieving the higher aims of the Service. He has shown exemplary skill in the management of resources at his Command for their optimal utilisation. Air Marshal Krishnan Narayanan Nair AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal VK Bhatia was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 26th May, 1962. During his long and distinguished career he has held a number of important command and staff appointments which include command of a fighter squadron, two sensitive and operational flying stations, Air-1 of an operational command, Deputy Director General in the Defence Planning Staff, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) at the Air HQ and Inspector General (Inspection & Safety),

An outstanding fighter pilot of repute, he participated in the Indo-Pak ware of 1965 and 1971. In both the wars, he flew a large numbers of missions deep inside the enemy territory, with good results. For his gallant conduct, he was awarded the Vir Chakra in 1965 and Bar to Vir Chakra in 1971 operations.

A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Royal College of Defence Studies, UK, the Air officer held several staff appointments with distinction. As the Air-1 of Eastern Air Command, he brought his varied experience to bear on the conduct of a large number of command level exercises successfully. As Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station SRINAGAR from 19901991 (a period of peak militancy in J&K), he provided inspired leadership and matching resources to ensure peak operational preparedness of his station and high morale of personnel placed under him. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1992.

As Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) at Air HQ, Air Officer displayed remarkable clarity of thought and reasoning in modifying the philosophy of air warfare, He brought about a number of innovative improvements which significantly enhanced the lAF's operational potential.

As Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command, the Air Officer's contribution include achieving laid down targets of air drops in forward areas as well as enhancing the operational preparedness of the front line fighter squadrons in the command. He activated Tilpat Range after a long gap and led the fly-past on 08 Oct 96, thus leading by example.

Air Marshal VK Bhatia AVSM, VrC & Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.