During the operations in Goa, Daman and Diu, Air Vice Marshal Erlic W Pinto was A.O.C-IN-C, Operational Command for overall conduct of air operations. His directive was to assist the land forces in the attainment of their objective with the use of minimum force. The risk of casualties to the civil population in air operations was inherent. As a result of meticulous by Air Vice Marshal Pinto and efficient coordination, the air operations in the three enclaves were carried out most successfully.

With the outbreak of the Chinese hostilities in 1962 the air operational commitments assumed vast proportions in J & K area as the land forces were largely dependent upon the Air Force for supplies, ammunitions and evacuation of casualties. The resources at Air Vice Marshal Pinto's disposal remained unaltered. However, he faced the situation with his usual calm and reorganized the units under his command to undertake the intensive logistic support required. To infuse confidence in his officers and men he led many difficult airlift missions with complete disregard to his personal safety. The first landing at forward outpost entailed use of a river bed which is the highest 'airstrip' in the world. In spite of the hazards involved, Air Vice Marshal Pinto decided to proceed on this flight himself to check operating conditions there.

As A.O.C-in-C Operational Command, Air Vice Marshal Pinto has all along displayed initiative, drive and leadership of a very high order.

Air Vice Marshal (now Air Marshal) Shivdev Singh was commissioned in the Air Force in 1940. He has held important appointments in Air Headquarters as well as in the Command of various Air Force Units. He attended the Royal Air Force Staff College in the U.K. in 1951. Before taking up the assignments of Air Officer Commandingin-Chief, Western Air Command in March 1966, he served as Air Officer Commandingin-Chief, Central Air Command. By his hard work, drive and initiative, he has improved the operational preparedness and efficiency of the units under his Command. Western Air Command is also engaged continuously in airlifting supplies to forward areas. Under his able leadership, the Command has been able to achieve airlift targets without sacrificing safety.

Air Marshal Hrushikesh Moolgavkar was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in November, 1940. During World War II, he served with two Fighter Squadrons and saw action on the Burma Front. Soon after the Pakistani Aggression in J & K in 1947 he took over command of the Operational Wing at a forward base. He planned and directed the Air Operations and personally led a number of operational missions against the enemy with outstanding success. For his acts of gallantry during these operations, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. Air Marshal Moolgavkar has held with distinction important appointments of Air Adviser to our High Commission in the United Kingdom, Senior Staff Officer at Western Air Command, Director of Policy and Plans at Air Headquarters, Air Officer-in-Charge Western India, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Central Air Command and Commandant, National Defence College. In all these assignments, he has displayed outstanding qualities of leadership and dedication and has set high standards in raising the operational efficiency in the Service. At National Defence College he introduced many developments in the teaching curriculum and studies to give this institution the prestige and honour that it enjoys today.

In April, 1973, Air Marshal Moolgavkar took over as Air Officer Commanding-inChief, Western Air Command, and by his untiring efforts brought about improvements in combat efficiency of the units and stations placed under his Command. His sense of dedication and involvement has been a source of inspiration to all his commanders. It was during his tenure as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, that the Western Air Command produced spectacular results in the field of Flight Safety. In most of his assignments, Air Marshal Moolgavkar had to undertake pioneering work either in establishing new organisations intimately connected with the operational role of the Air Force or in bringing about improvements in the conduct of operations in a new theatre of responsibility.

Throughout, Air Marshal Moolgavkar rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Danis Anthony La Fontaine AVSM VM (3844) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in April, 1950. During his long service career he has held a variety of Command and staff appointments with distinction at various levels including the policy making level.

His Command appointments include the Command of two frontline fighter Squadrons and two major operational bases when he accomplished high rate of aircraft serviceability, enhanced operational preparedness and all round efficiency.

As Chief Instructor at Air Force Academy on its inauguration, Air Marshal DA La Fontaine was personally responsible for meticulous planning and methodical move of the entire Flying Training School from Jodhpur to the Academy, with speed and purpose. He, as Chief Instructor, reoriented the training pattern in the Air Force and designed the major training directives for the Academy which for the first time in the Air Force fixed the principles, standards and techniques for teaching in the air and on the ground.

After successfully graduating from the National Defence College, he was appointed as Air 1 at Headquarters Western Air Command, and later as Air Officer Commanding of a major base in the western sector. In these appointments he made substantial contribution in achieving optimum utilization of fighter forces under his command. Air Marshal DA La Fontaine was Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command since December, 1978, until he took over as Air Officer Incharge Personnel in Jan 83. During this period he displayed qualities of dynamic leadership, coupled with professional and managerial competence,

Air Marshal Danis Anthony La Fontaine AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Adi Rustomji Ghandhi AVSM VrC (7722) F (P) was commissioned in Air Force on 28 Oct 63. During his 39 years of service, he has held many Important and challenging field and staff appointments which include Command of a fighter squadron, Command of a prestigious Air Force Station, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (PO), Commandant of College of Air Warfare, Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of South Western Air Command and Western Air Command. Presently he holds the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-inChief, Western Air Command. He has taken part in both the lndo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. He was awarded Vir Chakra on 06 Sep 65 for acts of gallantry.

As Air Officer Commanding of an important fighter base, where both the Mirage of the IAF along with a Squadron each of Pechora and OSA-AK-M missiles are located, he displayed total dedication to service and absolute involvement in all activities of the base. As a result, the base and its lodger units acquitted themselves admirably during all Command and Air Headquarter exercises. For his exceptional service and devotion to duty, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1994.

As Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Personnel Officers) he took keen interest in evolving personnel policies for the Officer cadre of the IAF. As SASO of two operational Commands, he provided the impetus towards greater operational thinking as well as rationalization of infrastructure required within the Command.

On taking over as AOC-in-C of Western Air Command, he set into motion a variety of measures aimed at sharpening the fighting edge of the most important Command of the IAF. He also strived relentlessly to improve the work culture, morale and motivation level of the personnel at all levels. As a result, the Command was able to mobilise resources and move units to their Op locations in the shortest possible time during of Op Parakram.

Air Mshl Ghandhi has been instrumental in initiating a series of major drives to reduce accidents due to bird strikes, beautification of technical and domestic areas 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 Adi Rustomji Ghandhi AVSM VrC has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Avdesh Kumar Singh, AVSM, VM, VSM (11005), Flying (Pilot), was commissioned on 04 June 1967 in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force and has more than 5000 hrs of accident free flying on 17 different types of aircraft. He has held various Command and Staff assignments during his 38 years of distinguished service in the Air Force, which include Command of a Fighter Squadron, Commander Delhi Area Air Defence, Command of an Air Base, Air-I of Western Air Command (WAC), Air Commodore Operations at an Army Command, ACAS (Trg), Air HQ, Director General (Inspection & Safety) and SASO of WAC before taking over as AOC-in-C, WAC, IAF. He was also President, Services Sports Control Board and member of Board of Directors, International Military Sports Council.

Air Marshal AK Singh was the youngest transport pilot to participate in the historical “Tangail Operations" during the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. He is the only pilot to convert from transport stream to fighters and successfully led a Jaguar Squadron in operations. During Kargil Operations the officer, as then Air-I, Western Air Command conducted the fighter operation with astute planning and dedication, which was instrumental in bringing the engagement to a very successful culmination.

The Air Mshl, as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training), was instrumental in successfully steering the case for recognition of flying qualification of military pilots and equation of technical and non-technical training in the IAF with civil Diplomas. As Director General (Inspection &. Safety), he assumed functions of quality assurance and published a book specifying the quality of products acceptable in service which empowered the users to reject lower quality products. He was appointed as Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command, in September 04 and he organized as well as executed realistic training exercises, which contributed to the outstanding performance of IAF forces in international exercises. During this tenure Host Squadron and Armament Training Concepts were also introduced, which have resulted in enormous saving to the IAF.

As AOC-in-C, WAC the Air Marshal used his vast experience to make significant administrative improvement in the work environment and improved quality of life of personnel below officer rank. His planning and execution skill were once again put to test when Western Air Command aircraft were called for aid to civil power when 47,000 people were evacuated from Srinagar valley and Ladakh during unprecedented heavy snowfall in January-February 05. The relief and rescue operations were also carried out in Jammu area where flash floods had struck without any notice and thereafter 140 people were evacuated. It was under his able guidance and leadership that such a massive peacetime operation was carried out successfully.

Air Marshal Avdesh Kumar Singh, AVSM, VM, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.