Group Captain Kurrhi Kombil Joseph Mathews (13393) Flying (Pilot) has been the Commanding Officer of Air Force Station Awantipur since 22 Jun, 98.

Gp Captain Mathews correctly anticipated that Awantipur airbase would become a focal point for the air operations against the Pakistani intruders in Kargil Sector. On his own initiative he brought the Station to a high state of readiness and when the orders to adopt precautionary measures arrived, his Station was fully mobilised. His resourcefulness and initiative enabled incoming forces to attain combat readiness in less than stipulated periods. His leadership synergised the entire team and many innovations emerged to optimise available resources of men and material.

He conducted briefings and ensured that high levels of motivation were maintained and when air strikes were ordered, on 26 May 99. MiG-29 and MiG-21 forces under his command gave excellent account of themselves. His continued involvement with aircraft preparation, launch and recovery, ensured a high combat tempo throughout the operations. His personal involvement inspired the rest. Gp Capt Mathews con-tributed significantly to the success of air operations in the Kargil Sector.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is please to award 'Yudh Seva Medal' to Gp Capt KJ Mathews

Group Captain Arvind Ramchandra Oak (14103-G) Flying (Pilot) has been on the posted strength of HQ AOC J&K upto 04 Jul 99 and on attachment to, Air Force Station Srinagar thereafter upto 19 Jul 99.

On the assumption that combat elements of the IAF would be employed to evict the Pakistani intruders in Kargil area, Gp Capt Oak was ordered to Srinagar as the mission planner and coordinator on 22 May 99. He quickly established a viable system of detailed joint planning with his Army counterparts and drew up practical procedures for strike and air defence missions. His incisive and indepth briefings enabled participating aircrew to clearly understand mission profiles and objectives. Once the Air Force operations began on 26 May 99, he ensured an effective debrief methodology so that tactics could be refined or altered to meet emergent situations. The clarity of reports rendered by him enabled higher Headquarters in optimal resource exploitation and decision making.

Group Captain Oak worked with total devotion throughout his stay at Srinagar and his contribution towards the success of air operations has been extremely significant.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Yudh Seva Medal' to Gp Capt AR Oak.

Wing Commander Sunderraman Neelakantan (15184) F (P) is in command of 1 Squadron AF and was operating from 7 Wing, AF wef 26 May 99 for 'Op Safed Sagar'.

The officer is a true professional, who works hard and runs his Sqn effectively. This professionalism is evident in the manner in which the unit goes about doing its allotted tasks. The Sqn was inducted and relocated at short notice on deployment. This task was accomplished smoothly, and since then, the Sqn. has been able to meet all operational tasks given to it. This involved rapid and frequent role changes, and launching of missions at extremely short notices.

The officer displays total dedication and devotion to duty, and takes pride in whatever he does. He is a bold and dynamic Commanding Officer, who leads from the front. He managed his manpower and resources effectively in order to conduct round the clock operations. His courage is evident from the fact that within six weeks, he had already flown 47 operational missions. The missions involved provided day/ night fighter escort to our strike formations during 'Op Safed Sager'. Many of these missions were flown in extremely poor/marginal weather conditions, where he also displayed personal flying skills of a high order.

For his professionalism, leadership and courage displayed in the face of the enemy, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Yudh Seva Medal' to Wg Cdr Sunderraman Neelakantan.

Wg Cdr BS Dhanoa (15405-L) F(P) is the Commanding Officer of MiG-21 Squadron and has been on the posted strength since 31 Mar 97.

His unit was tasked to carry out Fighter Recce missions only. Such missions were carried out professionally during the initial days of the operation. After IAF changed over to Medium Altitude Level Attacks, he volunteered to carry out bombing attacks, even though his unit is not earmarked for ground attack missions. In a record time, he changed the configuration of his aircraft to bombing role. He led from the front and the professional leadership that he displayed resulted in very accurate bombing attacks on the enemy. Under his able guidance and supervision the Squadron attained a high standard of professionalism and operational efficiency. This officer has been in command for the past two years. The motivations, high standard of professionalism and the eagerness to undertake missions by all the pilots in the Squadron is due to the correct direction and leadership provided by him as Commanding Officer. The Squadron maintained two detachments during the activation and the Squadron achieved 100% serviceability.

He provided inspirational leadership and was instrumental in ensuring success during this operation. He motivated his team to undertake night strike missions, even though they were not trained for it. He was actively involved in day as well as low altitude night bombing. He coordinated operational, administrative and technical aspects facilitating the Squadron to undertake the various roles it was tasked with.

For his professionalism, inspiring leadership, hard work and exceptional devotion to his job during operations in Kargil sector, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Yudh Seva Medal' to Wg Cdr BS Dhanoa.

Wing Commander Sandip Sud (15685) Flying (Pilot) was the Commanding Officer of MiG-29 Squadron. He handed over the command of the Sqn on 18 Jun 99.

The Sqn was inducted to Air Force Station Awantipur on 13 May 99 under his command. During Operation Safed Sagar, he actively planned and trained his Squadron personnel for air operations. It was his leadership, dedication and sincerity that brought up the Squadron to very high standards of professionalism. He was instrumental in formulating new tactics of Area Cap for the requirement of providing Air Defence cover to Strike missions in the target area. These tactics proved to be most effective deterrent against enemy aircraft resulting in air superiority in the target area. He ensured brainstorming and debrief sessions to evolve better tactics for Air Defence of the target area. As a sincere professional pilot, he himself volunteered to undertake important missions, thus setting an example to all the pilots of the Sqn. He flew 15 missions during Operation Safed Sagar.

For his professionalism, leadership, exceptional devotion and outstanding work, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Yudh Seva Medal' to Wg Cdr Sandip Sud.

Wing Commander Sandeep Chhabra (16032-K) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 15 Jun 1980 in the Flying Branch of IAF. He is a Fighter Combat Leader, has been a Directing Staff at Combat Training School and a graduate of Defence Service Staff College.

On 03 May 99, Wg Cdr Chhabra was appointed Commanding Officer of a Mirage2000 Squadron. During Op Rakshak, he undauntingly faced the challenges put forth by a determined enemy in Kargil sector by leading a combat Sqn in a type of operations never experienced by the unit before. Under his command new tactics and procedures were evolved and utilised most gainfully.

Wg Cdr Chhabra flew 36 operational missions of which five were live bombing missions. He led his unit in operations by rare example and from the front. Under his command his Squadron flew 142 operational sorties in the Kargil Sector, releasing 225 bombs of various tonnage and eight state of the art laser guided bombs, effectively destroying numerous enemy targets.

On 08 Jul 99, Wg Cdr Chhabra was detailed to carry out an attack on enemy camp with 6 x 1000 lb bombs. Despite being threatened by three Surface to Air Missiles, fired at him, he continued with the attack successfully destroying the assigned target. On 10 Jul 99 Wg Cdr Chhabra was tasked to destroy enemy targets at Point 4388. While he was rolling into the attack, enemy aircraft were reported in the vicinity by own Air Defence Escorts. Despite the presence of an airborne threat and launching of a Surface to Air Missile in the dive, he successfully carried out an accurate attack totally destroying the target.

Wg Cdr S Chhabra, with his personal involvement, leadership and dedication inspired his unit in the successful destruction of numerous enemy targets thereby minimising attrition to our own forces as also shortening the duration of Kargil conflict.

For distinguished Service of most exceptional order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Yudh Seva Medal' to Wg Cdr Sandeep Chhabra.