Squadron Leader (Now Group Captain) Daviah Subia (1866) always showed great courage and fortitude whilst operating over the Jammu and Kashmir area. By example and excellent leadership, he inspired all his Squadron Pilots. All his sorties were marked fro pressing home the attack, despite all odds.

He flew over 70 sorties in a period of a month and a half, often operating under adverse conditions and from difficult airfields. It was partly due to this officer’s courageous and relentless attacks that the resistance of the enemy at Gurais broke down. The excellent air operations conducted by this officer largely contributed towards the successful capture of Gurais eventually by our land forces.

He proved himself to be an extremely capable leader and was thus a source of encouragement and inspiration to all his Squadron pilots.

For the outstanding services rendered by him during the Kashmir Operation, he has been awarded the Vir Chakra.

Flying Officer (Now Squadron Leader) Narsimha Murthy (2434) operated in Jammu and Kashmir theater with distinction during 1948. In spite of meeting heavy enemy fire, he persistently operated with singleness of purpose showing relentless courage and exemplary devotion to duty and completed about 100 ground attack sorties.

In one of these sorties, when his aircraft under-carriage was badly damaged by enemy fire and emitted fumes, he persisted for 45 minutes in an attempt to get the under-carriage of the aircraft down in order to save the valuable fighter plane.

For the good service rendered by him during the Kashmir Operations he has been awarded the Vir Chakra.

Sqn. Ldr. (now Gp. Capt.) Zafar Ahmed Shah (1805) while in Command of an Operational Squadron in Jammu and Kashmir Area personally led attacks on GURAIZ. PIR KANTHI Area and GILGIT which enabled our ground forces to advance without much casualty. By taking off a modern fighter/bomber aircraft from the old Srinagar Air-Field which was barely 1300 yards long, he made it possible for operations to be carried out from that base.
His fine leadership and efficiency were reflected in the high fighting qualities of the Squadron which operated under difficult and adverse conditions.

For the outstanding services rendered by him during the Kashmir Operations, he has been awarded the Vir Chakra.

This officer was rushed to Srinagar during the most critical period of Kashmir Operations, where conditions were extremely difficult. During his brief stay he carried out 37 sorties completing 29 hours 30 minutes. His keenness, enthusiasm and efficiency on the ground and his dash and coolness in the air were an inspiration to everyone on the detachment. An officer who distinguished himself during his brief stay and carried out the duty to the highest tradition of service.

This officer operated under very difficult conditions during the early part of the Kashmir Operations and put in most valuable work.

The late Flt. Lt. Arthur Srihari (3181) always showed tenacity of purpose and precision in all his sorties. By his ability to make quick decisions, he had on one occasion attacked and totally destroyed an enemy Brigade Headquarters which was controlling operations against our hard pressed forces.

He completed in a short period approximately 100 successful operational sorties, all of which were outstanding for the perseverance and determination in pressing home the attack on the enemy. Many long range sorties of his across a very difficult terrain in the Northern Sector were outstanding because of its navigational precision, ability to spot the camouflaged targets, and skill in attacking to destroy.

For the outstanding services rendered by him during the Kashmir Operations, the officer was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.

During hostilities with Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Keshev Chandra Aggarwal was in command of an operational Fighter Squadron. He led a number of operational missions against enemy armour and troops concentrations in support of our ground forces. Though faced with heavy ground fire and air opposition, he pressed home his attacks and destroyed numerous vehicles and a petrol dump. On the 4th December, 1971, and again on 8th December, 1971, he undertook reconnaissance sorties in Chor-Doronara areas and successfully located two trains carrying ammunition and destroyed them. On the 6th December, 1971, he led a formation and destroyed a railway engine and fifteen wagons containing ammunition in Chor-DoronaraHasiar area. Again on the 9th December, 1971, he destroyed fifteen wagons and damaged approximately forty wagons at Mir-Purkhas, which deprived the enemy of vital supplies.

Throughout the operations, Wing Commander Keshev Chandra Aggarwal displayed gallantry, leadership and flying skill of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Winston Rabinder Sanjeeva Rao (10191) was attached to a Brigade in the Rajasthan area for duties as a forward Air Controller in the Air Contact Team of the Brigade. The duty of an Air Contact Team requires its members to position themselves at vantage points in the battle zones, from where they can see enemy targets, and to guide the pilots of attacking aircraft on to the desired targets by radio. On the 5th December, 1971, a platoon patrol of the Army came under heavy enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire. A company of troops was rushed to help the patrol, and Flight Lieutenant Rao was detailed to accompany them. He rushed to the area on a camel and took up a position on a dominating sand dune, exposed to enemy fire, from where he could direct our aircraft on to the enemy positions. Again on the 7th December, 1971, a company of the Army was under heavy enemy fire at Saidan and asked for an air strike to take place at 1715 hours. Flight Lieutenant Rao volunteered to proceed to the spot to carry out FAC duties, although he knew that Saidan was 52 kilometers away across the desert, including 12 kilometers through enemy territory, and that it was already 1200 hours. He succeeded in reaching the road head at 1400 hours and then having organised a patrol led it himself, carrying his radio set along with him on a camel. He succeeded in reaching Saidan well in time to direct the air strike very successfully and returned to the Battalion Headquarter on the 11th December, 1971. On the 14th December, 1971, at about 1000 hrs, the Saidan defended position was surrounded by an enemy battalion, and by 1400 hours it came under heavy enemy pressure. Once more, Flight Lieutenant Rao volunteered to go to the area to dire strike aircraft against the besieging enemy troops. He left the Battalion Headquarters in a jeep with his radio set and after linking with a patrol from one of the companies, managed to get through to the surrounded Saidan position. The enemy attack was beaten back, but during the night, they built up again for another attack. An air strike was called for at 0830 hours on 15th December 1971, and this was excellently directed by Flight Lieutenant Rao as a result of which the enemy was forced to withdraw having suffered heavy casualties in men and equipment.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Winston Rabinder Sanjeeva Rao displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Flying Officer Trivedi handled multiple emergency situations with exemplary professional competence, returned to base without a radio telephonic system, carried out a flapless approach and landing at a speed of 200 knots and brought the aircraft to a halt without any further damage. Flying Officer Trivedi thus not only saved a valuable aircraft under circumstances of grave risk to his own life but also made it available for more valuable purpose of post accident investigation.

In this action, Flying Officer Atul Trivedi displayed exemplary courage, professional competence, undaunted determination and devotion to duty of exceptional order.

Flying Officer (now Flight Lieutenant) Sushil Agnihotri has been serving in an operational Squadron since December 1968. On 7th October 1969, he was detailed to fly on a Sector reconnaissance sortie. On completion of the exercise, he joined the circuit for a landing. On the downwind leg, the undercarriage did not lock down due to a total hydraulic failure. He immediately selected the flying controls to manual and lowered the under­carriage with the emergency system. As he operated the flaps with the emergency system, the aircraft started a vicious roll to the left due to differential flap lowering. He tried to keep the aircraft under control, but the force required on the control column was so great that he was barely able to hold the aircraft level. He also observed that the brake accumulator pressure had gone down. He was by this time, running short of fuel. He decided to abandon the aircraft and transmitted a radio message to this effect. As he was attempting to head the aircraft in a safe direction and was gaining height to eject, he found that he could control the aircraft with only a slight and gradual loss of direction. Noticing this, he revised his decision to abandon the aircraft and decided to make one more attempt to land. The flying controls were in manual and even the aileron trimmer was not available to him. The brake pressure remained low and he was by now very short of fuel. However, he touched down right at the beginning of the runway, streamed the tail chute and shut down the engine. By judicious application of brakes, he managed to slow down the aircraft but then the brakes failed. Eventually, the aircraft went off the runway at very low speed and came to a stop without any damage.

Throughout, Flying Officer Sushil Agnihotri displayed professional skill, courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Arun Vithal Kamat was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in December, 1960. He has flown 1400 hours on operational aircraft. During the lndo-Pak Conflict of 1971, he was employed as a Flight Commander in one of the fighter squadrons operating from an advance base in the Western Sector. On the 9th December, 1971, he was detailed to lead a section of two aircraft, their target being a Pakistani airfield. This was his 4th operational mission over enemy territory. He commenced the attack in the face of heavy fire from enemy's anti-aircraft guns and light machine guns. His aircraft was badly hit. Finding that it was impossible to control the aircraft, he abandoned the aircraft. He broke both his legs on impact with the ground.

Squadron Leader Arun Vithal Kamat thus displayed courage, determination and exceptional devotion to duly in the best traditions of the Air Force.

Squadron Leader Peter Eric Gaynor was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in April, 1956. He has been engaged in Flight Commander's duties in front line fighter Squadrons since 1962. He has a total of 3280 flying hours on jet Fighter aircraft. He took part in the 1961 Goa operations and also in the Indo-Pak Conflicts of 1965 and 1971. On one mission, which he was leading with fighter escorts, the formation was attacked by two F-104 aircraft. He so maneuvered the formation that the escort aircraft were able to shoot down both the attacking aircraft. Due to his extreme devotion to duty his Squadron has completed all its tasks and maintained a high standard of operational readiness.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Peter Eric Gaynor displayed courage, professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Krishan Kumar Bakshi was a Flight Commander in a Fighter/Bomber Squadron from January, 1974. He took part in the 1971 operations and was awarded Vir Chakra in December, 1971, for gallantry in the Rajasthan Sector.

On the 4th March 1976, during a routine training flight he was confronted with a serious in-flight emergency involving failure of the starboard engine soon after take off, resulting in engine fire and jamming of rudder control. Wing Commander Bakshi reacted to the emergency in a cool manner, controlled the fire and brought the aircraft down to a safe height despite marginal control The engine casing had burst causing extensive Airframe damage. With remarkable presence of mind and professional skill, he landed the aircraft safely and avoided a serious accident. By this act, he not only saved aircraft but also brought back valuable evidence which would otherwise have been destroyed.

Wing Commander Krishan Kumar Bakshi thus displayed exemplary courage, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.

Squadron Leader Vinod Kumar Verma is posted since 30 December 80 as Flight Commander of an operational fighter squadron.

The Squadron was re­equipped with a new type of aircraft. Sqn Ldr VK Verma displayed utmost devotion to duty and dedication to work which helped the Squadron in the commencement of regular flying inspite of the various teething problems during the re-equipment. In a very short time, he was able to formulate the training syllabus and various procedures relating to the new type of aircraft, and has proved his high standard of professional knowledge.

Sqn Ldr VK Verma has always taken utmost pride in his work, shown selfless devotion to duty which has been a source of inspiration to his juniors and has earned great admiration from his superiors.

For his utmost devotion to duty, dedication to work and high standard of professional ability, the President is pleased to award VAYU SENA MEDAL to Squadron Leader Vinod Kumar Verma.

Wing Commander Krishna Balakrishna Menon has been posted to a fighter squadron as Commanding Officer since 02 May 83.

Wg Cdr Menon took over the Squadron at a stage when not even a single pilot was fully ops on type. He took the challenge ad through his exceptional organizing ability, dedication and professional skill, brought the Squadron to fully operational state. Presently, all the pilots are fully operational and are 100% rated and as a consequence the Squadron was adjudged the best instrument rated Squadron in the Air Force for 1984. His unit has been given the additional role of Type Training Squadron. He undauntedly took the additional responsibility and accomplished the demanding task of completing conversion of 28 pilots during his tenure as CO.

Wg Cdr Menon is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has 4100 hours of flying to his credit. During exercise "Yudh Abhiyas" his Squadron operated from two locations with limited resources and achieved the task without an incident. Because of his analytical approach, keenness for imparting knowledge and able guidance, this unit has a very good Flight Safety record. He has always displayed exemplary behavior, exceptional resourcefulness and ensured effective utilization of major sources of men and material. He has kept the Squadron as a cohesive unit with extremely high morale because of his personal example, correct guidance, perception of subordinates problems and unusual gift of putting people at ease.

Under the capable leadership of Wg Cdr KB Menon the Squadron was the first Vijay Squadron to become operational in the use of Instrument Runway rating system and to undertake offensive air support by night. Having achieved this capability, his was the only unit to take part in exercise "GLOW WORM I & II" where full capability of IRLS equipment was exploited both by day and night. This went a long way in enhancing the operational image of the Air Force.

For his qualities of leadership, accomplishment of objectives, exceptional professional skill and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wing Commander Krishna Balakrishna Menon.

Wing Commander Sanjeev Raj (18276) F (P) was commissioned on 07 Jun 86 in the Flying Branch of IAF as a Fighter Pilot. He has been the Flight Commander of a Mig-29 Squadron for three years and has commanded a MiG-21 Squadron at a forward Air Base. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader.

He took over command of a fighter squadron on 29 Dec 03. The role of unit is to train ab-initio pilots to become fighter pilots. Twenty five ab-initio pilots have been posted to the unit in this period and fifteen successfully graduated as fighter pilots. The Squadron flew 7984 sorties and 4818.50 hours during his command which is the maximum flying done by any MiG-21 squadron. A very keen flier, he himself has flown 961 sorties/578 hours during this tenure which reflects his active involvement and supervision. During his tenure, the Squadron did not have any CAT 1 accident.

Under his leadership, the unit maintained exceptionally high serviceability of aircraft and was able to achieve 100% serviceability on one occasion on 17 Mar 05. Inspite of significant manning and technical constraints of the MiG21 fleet, the overall output, quality of work, consistency and morale of the unit has been exceptional primarily because of his leadership and professionalism. Leading the team from the front, he delivered outstanding results across operational, maintenance and administrative fronts. The Squadron was adjudged as the 'Best Combat Squadron' of SWAC in the year 2005. The squadron's performance was well appreciated by DASI in the year 2005 with Average Plus to Above Average results.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Sanjeev Raj.

Squadron Leader Kirti Shekhar Chaturvedi (12100) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned in Air Force in Jul 69 and has held various field appointments with distinction.

Sqn Ldr Chaturvedi was one of the technical officers trained in the USSR on Vijay aircraft. On his return, his high degree of professional knowledge was evident when asked to give presentation to the AOC-in-C South Western Air Command on aircraft sight. His questioning attitude coupled with a friendly demeanor disarmed the pilots and he obtained a wealth of information about the sight's behaviour in flight. This led to his ensuring a better maintenance of sight and consequent improvement in the Squadron Armament results. As Officer Incharge Daily Servicing Section his able leadership contributed to a high standard of morale amongst his men. His high sense of cooperation has built an unbreakable bond between the pilots and the technical team.

As Senior Technical Officer of one of the Squadrons, his tireless quest for higher standards has led to a higher state of aircraft serviceability. His positive attitude to any innovation and subsequent encouragement has led the technical tradesmen of the squadron to innovate and improve the present available resources. The Squadron has many innovations to its credit like the engine inhibiting rig for which Sqn Ldr Chaturvedi provided the guidance and patronage.

For his consistent hard work, professional skill and knowledge and for his able leadership, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Kirti Shekhar Chaturvedi.