Sergeant Puran Singh has been working as the non-commissioned officer in charge Daily Servicing Section of a Paratroopers Training School during the recent hostilities with Pakistan the aircraft of this unit were utilized for transport duties. Sergeant Singh worked with utmost devotion and relentless vigor to achieve cent per cent serviceability of the transport aircraft of his unit. The unit carried out all its allotted tasks which was possible due to high serviceability state of aircraft.

Sergeant Puran Singh's willingness to work cheerfully at all time was a source of inspiration to all airmen to work hard under very adverse conditions.

300177 Flight Sergeant Bhagat Singh Ground Training Instructor/Parachute Jump Instructor was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in March, 1947. He is one of the pioneers of paratrooping in India. Prior to 1947, Flight Sergeant Bhagat Singh was in 152 Parachute Regiment and has the distinction of having taken part in the airborne operation at Elephant Point in Burma in 1944.

During his tenure as Parachute Jump Instructor, Flight Sergeant Bhagat Singh has trained a large number of Army paratroopers. He has himself carried out over 350 descents and has been associated with trials of new parachutes and airborne equipment. As a dispatcher he has flown more than a thousand hours. He took part in the airborne assault operation over Bangla Desh on 11th December, 1971.

Flight Sergeant Bhagat Singh has displayed excellent professional skill, courage, determination and devotion to duty. He has consistently rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Sqn Ldr Om Prakash has been on the posted strength of Aviation Research Center from 26 Jun 84 and has been carrying out the duties of para Despatch Officer. He is responsible for para Training of personal of paramilitary forces.

He is a very highly experienced Parachute Jumping Instructor with more than 1000 jumps, with total safety, to his credit. He is a qualified sky diving Instructor as well as diving. He has also put together a team of troops for demonstration sky diving jumps.

He was responsible for opening Thoise Valley for paratrooping in Nov 87. He is the first paratrooper in the history of Indian Armed Forces to have jumped in the Thoise Valley that too with an old an conventional parachute. The task was accomplished with complete safety in the worst possible environment in sub-zero temperatures. Besides this, he has been responsible for planning and execution of High Altitude para jumps in the Leh Valley on two occasions.

For his professional skill, devotion to duty and achievement in the field of Para trooping and free all training, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Leader Om Prakash.

616153 Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Raghubir Singh Paul MTD/PJI has been on the posted strength of Paratroopers Training School, Air Force since 13 Oct 78 and has been performing duties of Parachute Jump and Free Fall instructor.

The MWO is one of the pioneers who have earned the distinction of carrying out 1640 parachute jumps. This is a rare achievement particularly when it is without an incident or injury. This is indeed a landmark in para safety. His jumps include 1400 free fall and 240 static line jumps. He has jumped from 10

types of different aircraft using 12 types of parachutes. He is also a qualified Combat Free Fall Instructor and had undergone training with US Army Team during the joint Exercise "Badge Iroquois" held at PTS in Feb 1992.

The MWO was one of the team members who has jumped from 30,000 feet AGL. It should not be out of place to mention that jump from such a high altitude demands extreme physical fitness and very high morale as individual is exposed to hostile environment where in, temperature goes as low as minus 30 degree Celsius.

MWO is also the founder member of IAF Skydiving Team "Akashganga". The team has completed nineteen years of its glorious existence since its inception in 1987. He has participated in innumerable demonstrations put up by the team at various places to mark important national events. He is an expert in the discipline of canopy formations, which includes making the Tricolour stack and landing them inside stadiums and restricted drop zones.

He has been part of pioneer team member who for the first time in the history of Indian Parachuting History made Relative Work and Canopy Relative Work formation during the Night Free Fall. Due to his immense experience and skill he has participated in Malaysian Armed Forces Open Parachuting Championship held in Malaysia in May 1995.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Master Warrant Officer Raghubir Singh Paul.