Air Vice Marshal Gursharan Singh, VM, VSM, (4263), Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the Air Force on 26 Feb 52. Since then he has held important assignments in the field, Command Hqrs, and Air Hqrs. He was selected for training abroad when the first jet aircraft was inducted in the IAF. Later he was selected to undergo the prestigious Cranfield Course in the United Kingdom in Aeronautical Science, which he completed with flying colours. During the Indo-Pak Conflict of 1971, his sustained hard work under adverse conditions resulted in high rate of serviceability of the Squadron where he served. Later, as the Deputy Air Attaché in one of our missions abroad, his contribution in ensuring smooth induction of weapon systems and guidance in ensuring training for the personnel in the systems, was immense.

As the Director of Maintenance Plans and Inspection, an awareness was brought in the maintenance set up of the operating units, to improving the quality of maintenance support while at the same time, reducing the manhours though innovation. Similarly, as the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of an Operational Command, he demonstrated exceptional dynamism, his ability for conceptual planning and meticulous execution.

As Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Eng.), he has ensured smooth induction of the new heavy and medium transport aircraft. With his experience in the diverse field of maintenance management, he streamlined the maintenance discipline and guided the specialists to overcome teething troubles associated with the new weapon induction.

Air Vice Marshal Gursharan Singh, VM, VSM, has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Pathathil Venugopal (4431) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force on 17th January, 1953. He has held several important field and staff appointments at major Stations and Wings and at Air Headquarters. He has also commanded two independent fighter Squadrons and a major fighter base. As the Air Officer Commanding, he was made responsible for rendering relief operations during the MORVI dam disaster in Gujarat.

Later, as the Air Officer Commanding, Advance Headquarters Western Air Command, Simla, he was responsible for planning and coordinating the application of Air Power in two major exercises of the Indian Army for which he earned a good name for the Air Force. As a result of the experience gained, he also made a total revision of the Directive of Joint Operations.

In September 1982, he was posted to Air Headquarters as Director of Air Force Works. In this difficult assignment, he made significant contribution in creating realistic annual and five year plans, oriented towards operational efficiency and improvement in the living and working conditions of the Units. His personal endeavours led to the timely sanctioning of 'Vajra' and 'Shamsher' projects. In July 1984, at an extremely short notice of 20 days, as Officer on Special Duty, he was made solely responsible for creating infra­structure for the inauguration of HQ Southern Air Command, Trivandrum.

With his experience as DAFW, he was selected in July 1984 to serve as Director General, Air Force Naval Housing Board. It is due to his personal involvement that the NOIDA Phase I project has finally been completed.

Air Vice Marshal Pathathil Venugopal has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Didar Singh Sabhiki Flying (Navigator) was commissioned in the Air Force in January 1953 and was awarded the Sword of Honour for standing first in the course. An outstanding navigator who was trained in United Kingdom for Night Fighter Operation where he stood first. AVM Sabhiki is a keen fighter bomber navigator and actively had participated in a number of operational sorties during Chinese and IndoPak Operations of 1965. After the exceptional performance in Nav School as incharge of Advance Nav Course, he was selected for deputation to EGYPT where he worked as the leader of Nav team which included 16 pilots. The team's contribution was lauded so highly that Air Marshal Hoshni Mubarak (now President of Egypt) insisted for the continued retention of AVM Sabhiki on deputation.

After an extremely successful stint as DPS, on pro­motion he was posted as Director Air Force Works in August 1984. During his tenure Vajra aircraft was inducted in the Air Force. By constant monitoring and effective control it was possible to meet the works services of this vital project ahead of schedule before the aircraft arrived from France. Further, with the setting up of Southern Air Command in Trivandrum many important projects had to commence in the South and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is to the credit of the officer that by his efficient handling all these projects are moving on schedule. To solve the problems of transportation of construction material to far flung areas and extremely long lead time taken, he introduced on experimental basis pre­fabricated structures, one of which has already come up successfully at Car Nicobar.

AVM Sabhiki was the Captain of the Air Force Golf Club from 1982 to 1985. During his stewardship the Club made rapid progress and not only improved its financial holdings but also nursed players to national level.

Air Vice Marshal Didar Singh Sabhiki (4393) has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Girish Krishanlal Desai Lgs. was commissioned in Air Force on 7th March 1953. He has held important assignments in the field, at Command and Air HQ. Right from the beginning he exhibited professional acumen of high order and devoted himself to his duties with single minded zeal.

As the Command Logistics Management Officer of an Operational Command, he ensured that timely logistic support is provided for smooth induction of a series of new weapon systems which were being introduced in IAF. Subsequently, as the Air Officer incharge of Logistics Management of the Maintenance Command, he directed an indepth study into the surplus holdings of the Depots to identify items which could be utilized. This study resulted in considerable savings.

On his taking over as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Logistics), he devoted himself to the task of streamlining the procedures and policies connected with the inventory control of the Indian Air Force. With his penchant for the details and thoroughness, he guided the System Analysts in the maintenance of Information System to ensure that the data compiled are more meaningful for inventory management and brought about an awareness in the system managers to use computerized data as a powerful tool in the administration of the weapon system. Similarly, in the filed of audit objections, with his ability to get the essence of the problems, he guided the staff responsible to achieve target clearance of audit objections, some of which have been outstanding for a long time.

Air Vice Marshal Girish Krishanlal Desai has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Sreedharan Lakshminarayanan Meteorological joined the IAF Meteorological Branch as Flight Lieutenant in 1958 on secondment from India Meteorological Department. During 27 years tenure in IAF, AVSM 1986 he held a number of important appointments viz Chief Instructor (Met) at AFAC, C Met O at HQ EAC, Trg Comd, WAC and finally was appointed Director of Meteorology at Air Headquarters in May 1977 in the rank of Air Commodore. He was promoted as AVM in Sep 84 and retired from service on 31 Aug 85.

AVM Lakshminarayanan, throughout his career, had a passion of learning. He had special aptitude for Applied Mathematics and successfully devised and applied number of theorems to the theoretical study of cyclones. Culmination of this study led to the publication of his book “Theorems of Cyclones" by Indian Meteorological Society in 1984. The book was formally released on 11 Feb 1985 by Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organisation, Prof. Obasi, who profusely commended the work. Apart from the book, a large number of research papers written by him have been published in various Meteorological magazines.

As Director of Meteorology at Air HQ, he ensured that the IAF Met branch kept pace with the fast developing technology and embarked on an ambitious modernization programme of IAF Met Services during the period 197985. He also introduced Advance Course in Satellite Meteorology in IAF which helped in considerable improvement of weather forecasting ability of Metrological officers leading to better Flight Safety environment.

He represented IAF in the International Monsoon Experiment (Monex-79) and acted as Chairman, Aircraft Operation Committee of “Cyclone Symposium" held at Bhubneswar in Jan 84 which evoked considerable awareness towards disaster preparedness in the cyclone prone areas of our country. Recently he has been appointed Chairman of the Task Force for establishing Cyclone Probing Aircraft facility in the country.

Air Vice Marshal Sreedharan Lakshminarayanan has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Denzil Keelor, KC, VrC, Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force on 06 Nov 1954. Right from his formative stage in the Air Force he has shown tremendous potentialities both as a fighter pilot and administrator on the ground. He is a qualified Pilot Attack Instructor and Fighter Combat Leader with 3500 hrs of accident free flying to his credit. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry in the Indo-Pak conflict of 1965. In 1978, he was awarded the Kirti Chakra for saving two MiG aircraft under conditions of dire emergency in the air. He has commanded a frontline fighter Squadron and was subsequently given the command of the Tactical Combat Development Establishment which he commanded for 4 ½ years and helped in developing many air combat tactics which are in current use. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College.

He was appointed Air Attaché in France and thereafter selected for the appointment of Air Officer Commanding of the Wing designated for the induction of Vajra Aircraft. The implementation of the Vajra project involved acquisition of land, developing of the infrastructure both technical and domestic. He motivated the personnel under his command to work with zeal, enthusiasm and single mindedness of purpose and completed in record time the major portion of the infrastructure for the same operation of the Vajra aircraft.

Air Commodore Denzil Keelor, KC, VrC thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Surjit Singh Malhotra VM Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force on 06 Nov 1954. During his long service he has gained vast operational experience in the transport support role. He has successfully commanded a Transport Squadron, NCC Squadron and a Flying Wing besides holding staff appointments in two operational commands and Air Headquarters. During his operational tenures Air Commodore Malhotra has flown over eight thousand six hundred accident free hours which speaks of his operational acumen. Out of the nine types of aircraft which he has flown he had held 'A' Master Green on four.

Despite his preoccupation with normal staff duties as Air II at Western Air Command, Air Cmde Malhotra planned with meticulous care the arrival/departure, parking and security of aircraft of all VIPs during the NAM &CHOGAM in 1983. subsequently, during Nov 84 as AOC AF Stn Palam he made precise and efficient arrangements for the reception and parking of VIP aircraft of all foreign dignitaries who came to attend the funeral of late PM, Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

As AOC Palam Air Cmde Malhotra by excellent Planning and optimum utilization of limited resources organized the rescue of about 500 persons, who were affected during the civil disturbances following the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. He also gave shelter and necessary help out of his meager station resources.

Air Commodore Surjit Singh Malhotra, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Uttam Khushalani, Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in April, 1955. He has held important staff and field appointments including Deputy Director, Data processing and Chief Engineering Officer of an operational flying station under WAC. In 1968 he graduated in the Advanced Air Armament Course at the Institute of Armament Technology, Pune. He took over command of a Base Repair Depot in Oct 83.

This Depot is responsible for the overhaul on AN-12 aircraft and Mi-8 helicopter along with their aeroengines and accessories. Besides the normal task of repair and overhaul, this Depot was also given the additional responsibility of preparation of Mi-8 helicopters for Antarctica Expedition, modification of Akbar helicopters for VVIP standard, preparation of Mi-8 helicopter for operation 'Faith' at Bhopal and modification of Mi-8 for special heliborne operations. Under his able and highly professional guidance the Depot not only completed these special tasks in time but also sent working parties to operational units to bring up serviceability of the Mi-8 fleet by servicing long outstanding AOG helicopters.

Air Commodore Uttam Khushalani has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Ran Vir Kumar Accounts was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in November, 1956. After early years of service as an Accounts, Officer at various Stations and Wings, he successfully and with colours completed the Air Force Judge Advocate Course. Thereafter, he held with distinction the appointments of Command Judge Advocate at various Command Headquarters and Deputy and Joint Judge Advocate General (Air) at Air Headquarters. In this appointment he has displayed qualities of leadership, organising ability, devotion to duty and professional competence of an exceptional order. In a period of just two years, he has brought about conspicuous and monumental Improvements in all facets of legal administration and was instrumental in creation of formal department of the Judge Advocate General (Air). Without compromising on quality and fairness of justice, by his constant drive and vigorous efforts, he drastically reduced the delays in disciplinary cases in the Air Force. He undertook writing, printing and publication of a number of books/aid memoirs, which have proved to be extremely useful in the dispensation of justice. He is also engaged in the production of a film on disciplinary procedure in the Air Force.

Air Commodore Ran Vir Kumar has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Syed Mohammed Osama Medical in his early career had served as Medical Officer at Air Force Station, Hakempet. He obtained his grading in general medicine in Feb 63 and was classified as a specialist in general medicine in 1968. Ever since his grading in medicine he has been working as a medical specialist in smaller and larger hospitals of Army and Air Force. He commanded 4 Air Force Hospital from Jan 68 to Oct 69. He has also been the head of a Med Division of the Base Hospital at Lucknow and has also served as an editor of the Journal of Aviation Medicine (India) since 1982, published by the Aero­medical Society of India. He was posted to Central Medical Establishment as Senior Adviser in Medicine on 21 Jul 80 and has also been the President of this Establishment.

While serving at Air Force Hospital Bangalore, he has been recognised by the Bangalore University as a Post­graduate teacher in medicine, and has been teaching postgraduate students of aviation medicine, and general medicine, in the Bangalore University, Air Force Hospital and the Institute of Aviation Medicine. He has to his credit original research work and has published more than 20 papers in various medical journals. He is now engaged in a Research Project in collaboration with Professor M.K. Bhatia of All India Institute of Medical Sciences for upgrading aircrew who are originally labelled as doubtful cases of heart diseases. As President of the Medical Board of AFCME he has brought a highly mature sense of professional judgment to bear on the decision of medical categorisation of service aircrew and ground duty officers serving with the Armed Forces and with Civil Aviation.

Group Captain Syed Mohammed Osama has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Avinash Chander Goel Flying (Plot) is a fighter pilot, commissioned in May 1962, qualified on MiG aircraft and has over 2000 hours of accident free operational flying to his credit. He was specially trained abroad, is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and has also studied Engineering discipline at the post graduate level at the Institute of Armament Technology at Pune. He is also an Associate Member of the Aeronautical Society of India. After promotion to the selective rank of Wing Commander, he has held consecutively two command appointments, the first being the command of an operational squadron followed by that of a station (Forward Base and Supply Unit, FBSU), equipped with MiG aircraft and surface­toair missiles. It was under his command that the station (FBSU) was adjudged the best in the whole of the Western Air Command and awarded covetous trophy for the same.

On completion of his second command tenure, he was posted as Staff Officer at the Military Wing of the Cabinet Secretariat, where he worked as the Secretary of the senior most committees such as those of Defence Minister, Chief of Staff and Principal Personnel Officers, seized of major operational, personal and administrative issues. His responsibility encompassed the complete spectrum of secretariat work for these committees, a difficult task that he executed commendably and with distinction. His personal contribution to the functioning of the Principal Personnel Officer Committee (PPOC) has been outstanding. He made extensive efforts to facilitate the smooth functioning of this committee. He worked behind the scenes, briefing, discussing with concerned staff at the three Service HQs, so that coordination upward was achieved at grass root level and consensus opinion arrived at unanimously at the meeting of the AVSM 1986-87 PPOC. Further, at his own he continuously studied and analysed the changes in terms and conditions of the central Government employees, assessed their applicability or otherwise to the Services, brought out the relevant aspects to the knowledge of PPOC.

Group Captain Avinash Chander Goel has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.