On the 23rd September 1987, Flight Lieutenant Abdul Naseer Hanfee was launched in Siachen area to assist the Army. Taking off in a short time, he immediately undertook the much-needed Army support missions in the area. At a time when all our forward posts were under attack by enemy and the demand for ammunition and other logistic support came up, Flight Lieutenant Hanfee rose to the occasion and accepted the challenge. Flying from sunrise to sunset in marginal weather conditions with frequent snow blizzards and white out conditions and frequent enemy shelling of the posts, he achieved 14 to 15 sorties a day for three continuous days, with total disregard to him personal safety. He single handedly managed to provide the much-needed logistic support for two days, which was a big morale booster for the troops in Siachen Glacier area, fighting the enemy a hostile terrain.

In a restricted area where the guns were required to fire continuously to meet the enemy challenge, he also showed exceptional professionalism by evacuating 38 casualties in a single day from the area which was in the close proximity of enemy posts with undue disregard to his personal safety.

Thus, Flight Lieutenant Abdul Naseer Hanfee exhibited high degree of professional skill and courage in the face of the adversary.

Leading Aircraftsman Rajeev Bhardwaj is on the posted strength of a squadron located at Bhuj, Gujarat since 31 Jan 2000. A devastating earthquake struck Bhuj on 26 Jan 2001 after the earthquake LAC Bhardwaj immediately set out to rescue survivors. Working tirelessly over the next four days, he saved 16 lives. On 26 Jan 2001, while the tremors continued, LAC Bhardwaj worked his way into the rubble of four multistoried apartments complexes in Shivnagar area and rescued five women, two children and two men. From 27 Jan 2001 to 29 Jan 2001, LAC Bhardwaj worked tirelessly and rescued Sgt Sharma RP and his family, a man, his wife and a teen-aged girl from Taxila Apartments in Shivnagar area. On 29 Jan 2001 he recovered a child after a struggle of six hours. As days passed by the task became all the more difficult. Bodies had started decaying and the probability of finding the survivors kept reducing. However, LAC Bhardwaj continued with the same zeal and dogged determination. Overcoming all hurdles and bracing the aftershocks, LAC Bhardwaj saved 16 lives from Shivnagar and Gandhinagri area.

Leading Aircraftsman Rajeev Bhardwaj displayed unparalleled courage, determination and commitment in saving others lives even at a risk of his own life.

Wing Commander Sanjib Kumar Bhattacharya (15702) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned into the Flying Branch of the IAF on 15 Jun 79. He has more than 6000 hrs of accident free flying to his credit. An A-2, QFI he has been Flight Commander of a Helicopter Squadron, an examiner with the Air Crew Examination Board and Chief Operational Officer of a flying station. He has also been on deputation to the Namibian Defence Forces.

Wg Cdr Bhattacharya was posted as Commanding Officer of a Helicopter Unit since 01 Feb 97. Driven by an objective orientation of operational excellence, he embarked on the transformation of his Unit in all spheres of activity. Through total involvement and concerted efforts he brought up the categorisation status of his unit to enviably high standards. He ensured operational role clearance of all eligible aircrew. Through close interaction with the maintenance staff he ensured a high level of serviceability. All tasks allotted to the Unit were executed most efficiently, economically and on schedule throughout his tenure of two years. His Unit boasts of the best tonnage per hour in the Indian Air Force.

Wg Cdr Bhattacharya always led from front. He himself flew 650 hrs during a twoyear period, a very creditable achievement considering other compelling demands on him as a Commanding Officer. He displayed extra ordinary courage in taking on difficult assignments himself. The airlift of seven tons of badly needed Foam Compound from Chabua to Digboi to fight the Oil Refinery fire and the daring dusk time airlift of critically injured school children form Tawang to Itanagar are examples in courage and leadership set by him. Both these missions were undertaken during adverse weather and extremely poor visibility conditions.

Wg Cdr Bhattacharya has motivated his personnel through sincerity of purpose and intensity of his convictions. Through meticulous planning and single-minded devotion he achieved and maintained his target of operational excellence throughout.

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

Squadron Leader Gurwinder Jeet Singh Cheema was commissioned on 13th December 1975. He has vast experience on Mi-4 and Mi-8 Helicopters, having taken part in counter insurgency operations in Nagaland and Mizoram.

He was among the first batch of pilots trained on Mi-17 and deployed in operations over Siachen Glacier. By his meticulous planning and intelligent application, he has successfully executed various tasks.

In Operation Meghdoot, the carried out more than 620 operational sorties and has been instrumental in dropping all the artillery guns. These guns were very effectively used and proved decisive.

For Operation Vajra Shakti, he flew many operational sorties successfully against heavy shelling and adverse weather conditions.

For rendering distinguished service, the Presi dent is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Gurwinder Jeet Singh Cheema.