Air Commodore Bangalore Venkataramaiah Jaya Rao was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in August, 1951. He has held a variety of appointments during his long and distinguished career. To name a few of these he has been Deputy Command Signals Officer of an Operational Command, Technical Manager of a Base Repair Depot, Directing Staff at Institute of Defence Management, Chief Instructor at Air Force Technical College, Director of Guided Weapons Maintenance and Director of Signals (Air) at Air Headquarters and Member Air Force Expert Committee. In all these appointments he has left an indelible mark of personal efficiency, creative ability, sound technical knowledge, professional skill and devotion to service.

Air Commodore Bangalore Venkataramaiah Jaya Rao has, thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Anadi Shankar Sarkar VM was commissioned in the Technical branch of the Indian Air Force in 1952. Since then, he has held a number of important field and staff appointments at Command and Air Headquarters. Besides these, he was also an instructor in Air Force Technical College.

Air Cmde Sarkar during his 30 long years of service has held the appointments of Squadron Engineering Officer of four operational squadrons and Chief Technical Officer of four major operational bases - a rare achievement indeed which perhaps has no parallel. During the Indo-Pak conflict in 1971, he was the Chief Technical Officer of one of our forward bases, and was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for exceptional devotion to duty and inspiring leadership.

Whilst on the posted strength of Air Headquarters in 1979-80, as Director of Engineering (D), he was responsible for the re-equipment of a number of Helicopter Units with a new type of helicopter. Under his guidance overhaul facilities for the new helicopter and its engine were set up. Large numbers of equipment and machinery required for the overhaul line were indigenously procured and even modified wherever necessary thereby saving a large amount of foreign exchange.

Since December, 1980, Air Commodore Sarkar has been the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of South Western Air Command. During this period, the force structure has undergone a complete change. But for his forward planning guidance and monitoring, it would not have been possible to absorb these changes in such a short period of time - a factor so essential for the preparedness of an operational Command.

Air Commodore Anadi Shankar Sarkar has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Shyam Chand Mehra was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 26th February, 1952. He has been employed in various operational units of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished work in enhancing the operational capabilities of SAM system in 1971-72 he had been awarded Vishisht Seva Medal. As Chief Instructor at a Guided Weapons Training Institute he did a commendable job in organising and imparting effective training in a short period. On completion of a course in the USSR on a newly included Surface to Air Guided Weapons system he was graded exceptional “Chief Engineer". He organised the complete training syllabus of this new system and successfully conducted two courses without the USSR assistance. The standard of training was later highly appreciated by a team of Russian specialists.

As Command Signals Officer of Western Air Command, since March 1981 he has streamlined the existing communications, navigational aids and radar systems to a stage of very high efficiency for operational use. He was also assigned the additional responsibilities of maintenance of ground support equipment and armament facilities, which he discharged excellently.

Throughout his long career the Air Officer had displayed a very high degree of dedication and technical ability. His untiring efforts have improved technical ability of personnel, increased serviceability of the sophisticated equipment and by innovation saved foreign exchange.

Air Commodore Shyam Chand Mehra has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Man Mohan Sinha, VM, was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in January 1953. Ever since he has held various important appointments like Aide­de­Camp to the President of India, Officer Commanding of a Fighter Squadron, Directing Staff at Defence Services Staff College, Chief Instructor at Joint Air Warfare School, and Officer Commanding of a major Air Base. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has set high standards of professional skill, dedication to duty and impeccable personal conduct.

Since February 1980, Air Commodore Sinha has been in command of major Air Force Base. Under his guidance and efficient management the tasks set for the base have been achieved in time. Trainee pilots coming for conversion have completed their training as scheduled. Under his dynamic leadership the flying effort increased by about 15% between 1980- 81 and 1981-82. The Gnat Squadron won the Eastern Air Command Inter­Squadron Weapons Meet Championship, while the Target Towering Unit won the Air Force Flight Safety Trophy for transonic type of aircraft for two consecutive years. In September, 1980, flood relief operations conducted under his personal supervision, earned the appreciation of the State Government.

Air Commodore Man Mohan Sinha, has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Kotarapurath Govind Mohandhandra was commissioned in the erstwhile Administrative and Special Duties branch of the Indian Air Force in 1952 and had specialised in Air Traffic Control duties. During his long service he has held important appointments on staff, as well as in the field.

During the hostilities in 1962, being posted at a forward Air Base in the North Eastern Section, he was entrusted with the task of co­ordinating airlift of troops to the forward areas, and co­ordination of the task of return of own Prisoners of War, which he achieved successfully showing a commendable degree of administrative ability, foresight and tact. Again in 1971, he was specially associated with the operational planning of the Airborne operations AVSM 1983 North of Dacca. He subsequently moved to Dacca to Command the IAF element when he rendered valuable professional assistance to the newly formed Bangladesh Air Force.

While serving in Air Headquarters it was under his stewardship that a categorisation scheme for ATC Officers was introduced for the first time. This has gone a long way in enhancing the safety of operational environment.

In recent years as Provost Marshal of the Air Force, Air Cmde Mohanchandra displayed great maturity and competence in handling the multifarious facets of his responsibilities. Since 1981, he has been Senior Officer-in-charge Administration South Western Air Command. Air Commodore Kotarapurath Govind Mohanchandra has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Jagdish Kumar Seth, VM was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1953. During his service career, he has held many important and coveted appointments which have included Officer Commanding, Aircrew Examining Board, OC Flying Station, and Director Operations (T&M) at Air Headquarters and Air Adviser in the Indian High Commission in London. He has flown over 7300 accident free hours, which include 1570 hrs of operational flying over the most hazardous terrain of Himalayas apart from 1400 instructional hours. From April 1979 to September, 1982 as Air Adviser in the Indian High Commission in London Air Commodore Seth was particularly successful in maintaining personal rapport and friendly relationship with the Liaison Staff and Senior Officers of the Royal Air Force. By his tact and exemplary personal conduct, he was able to generate extremely warm and friendly feelings among officers of the country of accreditation, as well as with those of the diplomatic corps. In handling all his work, he showed a very balanced mind, correct approach, mature attitude and objectivity, following the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Air Commodore Jagdish Kumar Seth has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Inder Dev Bhalla has served the Air Force with distinction for 29 years. He was awarded the Sword of Honour on his commissioning in October, 1953 and had also achieved the highest professional flying qualifications within the next five years. Later he successfully commanded Air HQ Communication Squadron and a flying station with élan and high degree of professionalism. He has flown 7696 accident free hours on the most modern transport aircraft in the Air Force. This includes 1275 hours on instructional duties and 4489 hours on VVIP/VIP flights.

Since December, 1980 as Director of Operations (Transport and Maritime), he has used his rich and diverse professional experience and problem solving ability to effectively utilise the large transport and helicopter fleet for undertaking standing air force tasks as well as in aid to civil authority. He has helped lay down operational training policies in order to improve our operational capabilities. He has inducted two new types of aircraft into the service in a highly competent manner.

Air Commodore Inder Dev Bhalla has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Amolak Ram Anand joined the Army Medical Corps December, 1950 and was graded as specialist in pharmacology on 23 January 1958.

While in Army, he commanded a 700-bed hospital of chronic patients with distinction and brought in many innovative improvements in care and rehabilitation of patients. He also held the appointments of ADMS of a Division, DDMS of a Corps. Eventually he was reverted to the Air Force as Air Commodore and appointed as PMO of Western Air Command. Here he contributed significantly towards aircrew care and improvements in health and hygiene standards of Stations under Western Air Command. He showed great initiative, dedication and drive in two medical magazines titled SWASTHYA and TRISHUL HEALTH CHRONICAL. Both the magazines are of a very high standard.

Air Commodore Amolak Ram Anand has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Shreepad Achyut Ranade was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in December, 1950. During his long Air Force career he has held posts of Assistant Director (Stores) in DR&DL, Command Accounts Officer, HQ Western Air Command and Director of Air Force Group Insurance.

As Director of Air Force Group Insurance Group Captain Ranade set about the job with total dedication and made it his purpose to improve the functioning of the Society and the Services it renders to its members.

He was the first to initiate the deposits in Public Sector undertakings, which gave a return of 40% above deposits in banks. With painstaking care the officer collected and sifted data and worked out the details of Post Retirement Insurance Scheme, 1981 and the enhanced Insurance Scheme, 1982 both of which have been heartily welcomed by members thus meeting a much­felt need. Deeply concerned over the lot of members and their families who due to unfortunate circumstances become ineligible to the benefit of Group Insurance Scheme, the Officer set up an Ex­gratia Award Fund to give succour to these disabled personnel and bereaved families. He also rationalised the internal processes of the Society so that survival benefit is paid to a member on the last day of his service and the TB patients are paid disability benefits before they leave hospitals.

Group Captain Shreepad Achyut Ranade has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Dalip Singh Sabherwal, VM was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 17th July, 1954. As a pilot he has maintained high professional standard throughout and has held different field assignments such as officer Commanding of a Heavy Transport Squadron and Station Commander of Flying Station. He has flown a total of 7,600 accident free hours, including 2500 hours in forward areas.

In recent years he has held the important appointment of Joint Director Operation (Transport and Maritime) in Air Headquarters. In this capacity he set to work with commendable energy, zeal and perseverance and worked out a practical conversion plan for helicopters. He also successfully planned induction of new transport aircraft has coordinated various aspects with different Directorates for certain major re-equipment scheme.

Group Captain Dalip Singh Sabherwal has thus rendered distinguished service

Group Captain Indrakanty Gopala Krishna, VSM, was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in May 1957 and holds a Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Since then, he has served as an Engineering Officer of different sub­sonic and supersonic Fighter Squadrons, Chief Engineering Officer of a number of Fighter Bases, Officer Commanding Project Groups, Chief Technical Officer of a Base Repair Depot, Deputy Air Attaché in Embassy of India, Paris and Deputy Director Air Staff Requirements.

As Deputy Director Air Staff Requirements he was very closely associated with the evaluation and induction of some of the modern Combat aircraft and latest armament and involved in the integration of some of the modern Air­to­Air missiles.

Group Captain Krishna took over command of a very important Base Repair Depot. Under his leadership and guidance, the depot has achieved the task of setting up the overhaul line for one of the MiG variants, in record time. This was only possible due to his involvement and motivating all officers and men placed under him. The first supersonic aircraft overhauled by his Repair Depot was test flown without any snag and will remain a milestone in the maintenance history of the Indian Air Force.

Group Captain Indrakanty Gopala Krishna has thus rendered distinguished service exceptional order.

Group Captain Prithvi Singh Brar, VM, was commissioned in 1960. His entire service has been marked with outstanding professionalism in every field of activity that he has been involved.

During the course of the career, Group Captain Brar was chosen for some highly sophisticated fighters such as Vampire, Hunter, Gnat and MiG­21. He has amassed nearly 2000 hours without any accident on these aircraft. During the course of his career, Group Captain Brar was chosen for some highly responsible and professional appointments like founder member of Tactics and Combat Development Establishment and flying inspector at Directorate of Air Staff Inspection. In discharging his duties as an instructor at Tactics & Combat Development and Training Establishment, he ensured and achieved very high standards of combat training.

In May 1979, immediately on his return from tenure abroad, he was put at the helm of an Operational MiG-21 Squadron. As a Squadron Commander, he applied himself very painstakingly to buildup combat potential of the Squadron. In June 1981, he was specially selected to command a squadron, which was allotted the task of Formation aerobatics and air displays throughout the country during the Golden Jubilee year of the IAF. He was entrusted with the task of selecting pilots, training them and leading the aerobatic team in its practices and for air displays.

Group Captain Brar, because of his devotion and total dedicated involvement achieved what is popularly known as the Thunderbolts. Their flying displays were a demonstration of precision formation flying whilst carrying out spectacular aerobatic manoeuvres.

Group Captain Prithvi Singh Brar has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.