Wing Commander Hardyal Singh Dhillon has been in command of one of our operational Transport Squadrons deployed in J & K since the onset of emergency. This is his second operational tour in this area; first tenure being as a Fighter Pilot during Kashmir operations in 1948. Wg Cdr Dhillon was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for his outstanding performance during Goa operations in 1961.

Immediately on taking over the Squadron, Wg Cdr Dhillon was faced with the enormously increased task of air­lift of vital supplies to our Army personnel employed in forward areas. In spite of the low manning level and various maintenance difficulties, Wg Cdr Dhillon faced the situation with grim determination, dauntless courage and unflinching devotion to duty. He re-organised his unit to meet the challenge with limited resources at his disposal. Having realized that in order to deliver the goods successfully Dakota aircraft of his unit will have to operate its maximum limits, he led most of the vital and hazardous missions personally and carried out 571 sorties involving more than 1000 hours in a remarkably short period of 20 months. On many days after having flown 8 hours, he had to deal with the administrative problems of his unit and could be seen supervising the servicing of his aircraft, thus ensuring proper running of the unit and a high rate of serviceability.

Inspired by his personal example and devotion to duty the officers and his men cheerfully worked round the clock as a perfect team and kept and much needed supply lines for the Army open throughout the year and thus brought admiration and credit from the troops to the Service. The Squadron completed the assigned air­lift to all the forward airfields and flew 16000 hours in spite of frequent interludes of bad weather within a period of 20 months, which is a remarkable achievement. He, by his careful planning and maintaining rigid discipline, both on the ground and in the air, kept his Squadron accident­free throughout this period. In spite of the difficult living and working conditions, Wing Commander Dhillon by taking personal interest in the welfare of his officers and men successfully maintained a very high morale in the Squadron.

Wing Commander Hardyal Singh Dhillon has thus rendered service of most exceptional order.

Squadron Leader Karam Singh was in command of one of our Repair and Salvage Units from June 1962 to March 1964. The task of the unit was to repair and salvage aircraft all over the Western Sector.

In the face of such extreme difficulties as inaccessible areas of operations, difficult terrain, adverse weather condition and shortage of manpower, the officer carried out his duties in an exemplary manner during the period of his Command. The following two examples highlight the commendable efforts put in by this officer in the discharge of his arduous duties:­ During, the period Decembar, 1962/ January, 1963, the officer was called upon by Western Air Command to carry out extensive repairs to a crashed aircraft C-130 of the United States Air Force engaged in airlifting operations for our defence forces at Leh. Despite the non­availability of standard repair schemes, specialist advice or adequate maintenance facilities, this officer, leading a handful of men, successfully carried out major repairs to the aircraft, at the scene of the crash, under most arduous working conditions at sub­zero temperature.

In September, 1963 he was called upon to undertake major repairs to an IAF aircraft AN­12 which had suffered extensive damage at an advanced airstrip in the J&K. Despite the non­availability of proper materials, test equipment and schemes for repair he led his men and carried out the repairs in the shortest time possible.

He displayed a high degree of professional skill, praiseworthy qualities of leadership and perseverance in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties. All these were collectively responsible for the successful completion of the task.

Squadron Leader Karam Singh has thus rendered valuable service of an exceptional order, which is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force.