During the conflict with Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Ramesh Chander Sachdeva served with a FighterBomber Squadron. On 4th December 1971, he carried out attacks with determination and tenacity against very heavy ack-ack defended targets at Chittagong and later destroyed seven trains, carrying vital supplies to the Pakistani forward positions, at Laksham. He flew 15 operational sorties in 6 days of the operations and destroyed a number of ships, tanks, Gun positions, bunkers, trains and fuel tanks in the face of heavy ground fire. He landed back with serious bullet holes in the aircraft on two occasions. On 10th December 1971, while carrying out a sortie, his engine flamed out after an attack on an enemy boat and his aircraft crashed as a result of which he died.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Ramesh Chander Sachdeva displayed gallantry, leadership, determination and flying skill of a high order.

Wing Commander Shashindra Pal Tyagi (8130) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force on 31st December, 1963. A Fighter Pilot of proven merit, he is both a qualified Pilot Attack Instructor and Fighter Combat Leader. He has participated in 1965 Indo-Pak Operations flying Hunter aircraft and in the 1971 Indo-Pak Operations flying MiG aircraft. To date, he has to his credit 2800 hours of jut fighter flying.

Since December, 1982, Wg Cdr Tyagi has been commanding a frontline Strike Fighter Squadron. The Operational role of the Sqn is very demanding and accordingly the training has had to be optimised for its operational tasks. During his tenure, the Sqn has achieved a very high level of operational preparedness and has come out with distinction in flying exercises and commitments entrusted to it. It was recently under his leadership and planning that for the first time ever, a detach ment of Fighter aircraft was able to operate from a far flung Indian island territory. During his tenure, he has displayed unending enthusiasm, dynamism and professional competence in managing both his material and manpower resources. It is a direct reflection on his leadership and the performance of the Sqn that has resulted in the Sqn being adjudged the best Fighter Sqn in Western Air Command for two years running. On the welfare front, he has introduced many novel facilities to ensure that concurrent with the high professional output, the welfare of his personnel is equally covered. Throughout his tenure, Wing Commander Shashindra Pal Tyagi has displayed a very high level of professionalism, dedication and qualities of leadership in true traditions of the Air Force.

For his devotion to duty, high professional skill and exceptional qualities of leadership, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wing Command Shashindra Pal Tyagi.

Squadron Leader Sunil Ramnath Laud was commissioned on 13 Jun 70. He successfully graduated from Defence Services Staff College in Dec 84 and was posted as Flight Commander to a Squadron to oversee the conversion of the Squadron from Hunters to Jaguar aircraft in view of his experience and specialist flying qualifications.

In the preceding two years 1985 and 1986 as the Flight Commander, he has with his exceptional devotion to duty imparted his experience, qualification and skill to all the members of the squadron. The squadron has thus achieved an Operational Training status of which the IAF can be proud. The manner in which he has linked the maintenance and operational requirements to ensure an optimum utilization of aircraft and personnel has been exemplary.

The induction of the Jaguar aircraft into the Sqn was of added significance in view of the fact that the aircraft were retrofitted with the indigenous Navigation Attack System (DARIN). In the absence of DARIN training aircraft, the under training pilots has to be taught the working of the Navigation Attack Systems in a clear-cut, unambiguous fashion. He addressed himself to this task ensuring that the under training pilots appreciate the system theoretically and were competent at the same time to imbibe the essentials to be able to utilize the system tactically and operationally. This involved a degree of personal involvement and effort that included long working hours.

For his exemplary effort and devotion to duty involving the successful operational induction of the Indian Air Force first indigenously Navigation Attack Platform in the Jaguar, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Squadron Leader Laud.

Sqn Ldr K Palit has been on the posted strength of a Jaguar Squadron since.13 May 91. He has been the Flight Commander of this Sqn since Jun 93.

On 13 Dec 93, Sqn Ldr K Palit was authorised to flight test one Jaguar aircraft (ac). While climbing he noticed hydraulic pressure of both systems dropping to zero. A few weeks back, another Jaguar ac on the station had encountered precisely the similar problem and the pilot had to eject because undercarriage could not be lowered to enable the ac to land. Court of Inquiry had been instituted but because of lack of evidence, no answers could be found. Sqn Ldr Palit tried all methods and procedures prescribed in the book, but without achieving any success in lowering the undercarriage. Under such circumstances ejection is mandatory. However, knowing that if he abandoned the ac not only another precious ac would be destroyed but also crucial evidence would be lost, Sqn Ldr Palit, knowing fully well the risk to his own life, very courageously offered to belly land the ac. This was, however, vetoed. Sqn Ldr Palit flew the virtually doomed ac for the next one hour or so trying various methods to lower the undercarriage. Eventually a desperate and nonstandard procedure of shutting off entire DC power supply was suggested from the ground. Sqn Ldr Palit, very courageously, took this action knowing fully well that it entailed the grave risk of failure of ac controls at low level - leaving no margin for a safe ejection. These actions resulted in main wheels of the ac coming down. With barely sufficient fuel for just 3 ­ 4 minutes of engine running time, he executed an excellent flapless landing.

These courageous actions on part of Sqn Ldr Palit saved a valuable ac which provided conclusive evidence and help resolve the affliction that had led to such occurrence on Jaguar ac.

For this act of exceptional courage the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Sqn Ldr Kalyan Palit.

Wing Commander Rahul Dhar, SC was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 13 Jun 76. An A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor and a Test Pilot, he has 3700 hours of accident free flying. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra in 1980.

He assumed command of a Jaguar Squadron in Apr 95. During his tenure of one year, the Squadron flew 2632 sorties amounting to 2413 hours. Of this, he flew 320 hours himself. He displayed boundless enthusiasm to ensure that his Squadron carried out realistic role oriented training. All operational pilots became qualified on the specialist equipment of the squadron in record time. The officer was also instrumental in evolving and implementing specialised tactics for the Squadron. A considerable improvement in the overall operational status of the Squadron emerged as a result of his efforts.

At Wg Cdr Dhar's initiative, a new take off and departure technique was formulated, tested and implemented. This ensured the maximum possible protection from bird hits.

He flew the lead aircraft for the Air Force and Republic Day flypasts; both of which earned the appreciation of one and all.

Due to his non stop effort, a noticeable improvement in the Avionics serviceability and an appreciable change in the Squadron work culture was achieved. Many innovative welfare measures were instituted which helped greatly in raising morale.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Rahul Dhar, SC.

Flight Lieutenant Ashish Gupta (22121-B) Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of a Fighter Squadron with effect from 31 Mar 97 and is presently working as a Squadron pilot.

Flight Lieutenant Ashish Gupta is fully operational on T-75 and Jaguar aircraft. He is a 4 aircraft Leader and Trainer Captain by day. He is rated as 'Green'.

During 'Op Vijay' Flt Lt Ashish Gupta flew a total of 16 photo reconnaissance missions. These sorties have been flown over the enemy held area in Kargil, Mushkoh and Batalik sectors at altitudes ranging from 1500' to 10,000' AGL. Mission planning and execution was done in an exemplary manner and he was able to get vital information of the enemy locations due to his professional approach, accurate flying and filming of the enemy targets. Based on these photographs the exact location of the enemy was revealed and these could therefore be attacked successfully through aerial bombardment and artillery fire. This resulted in reducing the number of causalities of our infantry while advancing to recapture these areas.

His thorough professionalism and flying ability coupled with dedicated planning and preparation resulted in a very high success rate for these missions, which, in turn helped our air and ground forces to achieve their objectives.

For his exemplary mission planning and execution of the requirement, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Flight Lieutenant Ashish Gupta.

Flight Lieutenant Vishal Gupta (24169) F (P) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 21 Dec 1996 and is presently held on the posted strength of a Squadron of AF wef 12 Jun 2000. He is Fully Ops on Jaguar with a total of 295 h by day and 20 h by night on type.

On the night of 21 Jan 2002, he was authorized to fly a Medium Level Navigation sortie by moon phase. After a normal take off, on retracting undercarriage, the aircraft started pitching up sharply. All efforts to arrest the pitch up by pushing the stick forward and use of main and standby trimmer failed. To retain control over the aircraft he critically analysed the uncommanded motion of the aircraft, switched off reheats, banked the aircraft adequately to restrict pitch up and managed to level out at 10000 feet. He subsequently remained in turn in order to maintain height. He then started dropping his speed to ensure that level flight could be maintained after lowering of flaps. With the reduction of speed, lowering the flaps and jettisoning of excess fuel, he was able to regain some positive control over the aircraft in level flight. Subsequently, he ascertained that he could fly the aircraft and maintain level flight in landing configuration, with large but manageable stick forces. When fuel was reduced to landing configuration, he was fed into a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) wherein he aligned himself with the runway well in advance and executed a safe landing. During this process he had to use all his skills to regulate the amount of forward pressure to maintain the glide slope, round out and touchdown.

During investigation, it was revealed that a cross point screw driver was stuck in the tail plane control rods. This physical restriction resulted in the control column getting almost jammed in fore and aft axis, and could only be moved by the force of both hands of the pilot. Faced with a critical situation Flt Lt Gupta kept his cool and took prompt action to retain control over the aircraft that had developed control restriction due to presence of foreign object. Although he had very limited experience by night on type, he displayed exceptional flying skills in overcoming a very serious flying situation. He handled a complex malfunction in a calm, composed and professional manner and thus averted the loss of a valuable asset of the nation.

For an act of courage, exceptional flying ability and presence of mind, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Seva Medal' to Flight Lieutenant Vishal Gupta.