Flight Lieutenant Amarjeet Singh Kullar (5854) VrC General Duties (Pilot) has flown over 2,200 hours during his service of about nine years. He also holds the highest Q.F.I category 'A-1'. He was posted to the Aircrew Examining Board in 1966. During this tenure he has been employed on the categorization of Q.F.Is. Standardization and instrument rating of A.O.P. pilots, standardization of pupil pilots training and the testing of the jet pilots for instrument rating. By his dedication, enthusiasm for flying and hard work beyond the call of duty he has contributed greatly in enhancing the number of A2/A1 Q.F.Is. and in initiating and finalizing the categorization scheme for helicopter pilots.

Flight Lieutenant Kullar has had a brilliant career in the service all along. He stood first at the N.D.A winning the Gliding Trophy. Later, during the flying training period he won the President's plaque and the Air Chief's Medal. He kept up this high performance during his Squadron service and at the Flying Instructor's School by winning a number of competitive awards. He proved his mettle again by winning the Vir Chakra in the Pakistan conflict of 1965.

Master Warrant Officer Phool Chand Sharma has been in the Air crew Examination Board since Jul 79. He had stood "Best All Round" in the Radio Fitter course on remustering to the aircrew trade of Flight Signaller. He obtained transport category 'B' much before he completed in the requisite flying hours. Once again, he was awarded transport category 'A' on Packet, Super constellation, Dakota and HS-748 aircraft in the first attempt and as soon as he had the minimum required flying experience. For his outstanding performance, he was commended by the CAS in 1978.

The Aircrew Examining Board was still operating Dakota aircraft in 1984 when MWO Sharma was sent to Sulur to identify, locate, select and retrieve as many serviceable spares as possible from the life expired Dakotas stored there. He did a masterful job and as a result, the unit had no spares problem till it was finally sent to storage in 1986.

For his substantial and outstanding contribution as Flight Signaller on a variety of aircraft, his exceptional performance as an Air Force Examiner for nine years and his sustained professional excellence in flying and allied activities, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to MWO Phool Chand Sharma.

Wing Commander Om Kumar was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in May 1968.

He has flown over 7000 hrs on four different types of aircraft. He was awarded Cat 'A', the highest professional category, when he was only a Flying Officer with four years of service. In view of his professionalism and high standards in flying, he was selected for the Advance Navigation Course which he qualified with distinction.

In Sep 77, as an Air Force Examiner, he made tremendous contribution towards maintaining high standards of navigation in the transport fleet. He was then selected to undergo conversion on IL-76 aircraft in USSR before his induction into IAF. A distinguished A-2 Qualified Navigator Instructor, he has vast instructional experience on IL-76, AN-12 and HS-748 aircraft. In recognition, he was once again appointed an Air Force Examiner and Navigation Leader at Aircrew Examining Board in Jan 87.

For his exceptional professional achievments and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Om Kumar.

Sqn Ldr Ajay Gautam was on the posted strength of AEB as an examiner before proceeding to Antarctica along with XI Antarctica Expedition.

Sqn Ldr A Gautam, besides looking after the job of Flt Engr, he was actively involved in rendering full assistance to the technical crew in day-to-day flying operations. Since he had represented Air Force in IX Antarctica expedition successfully, his assessment of situations in the air and on the ground were of tremendous help. His knowledge of Nav and allied systems being exceptional, he rendered full cooperation and support to other organisations participating in the expedition. Despite so many additional responsibilities, he flew a total of 99:35 hrs during the expedition.

On 01 Feb 92, the stablised engine of Mi-8 helicopter was not getting switched off as the HP link rod came out of spline shaft. Sqn Ldr Gautam, Flt Engr on board, switched off the engine with the help of LP Cock by timely ON/OFF operations, without allowing the HP Pump to run dry, showing apex of his professional capabilities and saving the fuel pump. The helicopter flew eight more sorties same day after rectification.

For his dedication, professionalism and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Ajay Gautam.