Squadron Leader Dewki Nandan Sharma is the Senior Armament officer at a forward operational Wing. During the recent hostilities when bombing and straffing were being carried out by the enemy, Squadron Leader Dewki Nandan Sharma, without any regard for his personal safety, moved from one location to another to feed ack. ack. guns, with the required ammunition and other stores, when the actual raid was in progress. Further, this officer without the help of any other officer, planned, coordinated, supervised and executed the missile preparation of the explosive stores required for various types of aircraft, practically for a period of 22 days non-stop. The task was carried out cheerfully with extraordinary zeal, which boosted the morale of his subordinates.

Squadron Leader D.N. Sharma, even during the actual raid, without any regard for personal safety, moved around the airfield installations to locate the un-exploded bombs and missiles and to effect immediate clearance to facilitate resumption of operational sorties.

Squadron Leader Nivarthi Chittaranjan was the Chief Technical Officer of a forward operational wing, when hostilities broke out with Pakistan. This base was the primary target of the Pakistan Air Force, throughout the period of hostilities.

During the period Squadron Leader Chittaranjan worked ceaselessly for 16 to 18 hours a day personally undertaking maintenance and servicing requirements. He was a source of encouragement and inspiration to all who worked with him, which resulted in maximum air effort being maintained in air defence and in support of our army.

On 6th September, 1965, there was a heavy air attack on this base by Pakistan Air Force which resulted in damage to some of our aircraft. At this time the full complement of the repair and salvage unit party had not arrived and Squadron Leader Chittaranjan had to fall mainly on his station resources of manpower, equipment and material to undertake the repair of these aircraft. He worked for nearly 48 hours without any rest and completed the repairs of these aircraft in a record time of just two days. Again on 9th September, 1965 when the Indian Oil Company fuel pumping equipment was suddenly rendered unserviceable due to a breakdown in the electric supply by a direct hit from an enemy aircraft, personal initiative and drive of this officer came to the fore. He immediately realized that to wait for the repair to the electrical supply and the pumping installation to be carried out through normal channels would be disastrous for our air operations. He at once organized hand pumping to fill up his refuellers as a stopgap arrangement. He procured a 25 KVA generating set from a local Army unit and put the pumping equipment in commission by some ingenious improvisations. The normal operation of the pumping equipment was thus completely restored in about 12 hours thereby ensuring uninterrupted refueling arrange ments. Both these achievements were outstanding and their fulfillment was most vital in the interest of air operations from this air base.

Had it not been for the professional skill, ingenuity, initiative and leadership displayed by this Officer, throughout the operations and particularly on the two occasions mentioned above, the availability of our aircraft for operations against the enemy would have been adversely affected. By his personal example and inspiring leadership, accepting almost impossible tasks cheerfully, this officer was a tower of strength to the technicians working under him. His work and efforts have been in the highest traditions of the Air Force.

Squadron Leader Kumbakonam Parameswara Anantha Narayanan (6032) was commissioned in the Meteorological Branch of the Indian Air Force in December, 1960. Since August, 1970 he has been serving as the Senior Metrological Officer of an operating Wing in the Northern Sector.

Squadron Leader Narayanan's performance as Senior Meteorological Officer has been marked by thorough professionalism and a high degree of devotion to duty. He has groomed the officers and airmen of the Meteorological section into a very effective organization. The pains he has take to study the environmental weather of Northern region and the research work conducted by him, have led to greater accuracy in weather forecasting in this region, and aircrew reliance on his forecasts has been outstanding. He has also effected studies of the weather over neighbouring countries. He has also taken every opportunity to fly as a weather observer, and has logged a total of 210 hours flying all over the operational areas in the Eastern as well as the Western Sectors.

In addition to his primary job, he has often been entrusted with various other tasks. His performance as the Station Welfare Officer has been outstanding and has resulted in the high morale of the personnel.

For rendering distinguished service of a high order, Squadron Leader Kumbakonam Parameswara Anantha Narayanan is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Dalip Kumar Khashnobish was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch in June, 1957. He has served with distinction as Engineering Officer in Fighter Squadrons. He has been working as the Chief Engineering Officer of a Wing. Throughout the period, he streamlined the efficiency of the Maintenance Control Center and improved the output of aircraft from the R&SS. By his initiative, hard work and close supervision he has also been able to maintain and wherever necessary, fabricate ground equipment to ensure unfettered flying operations. His association with MiG aircraft dates back to their inception in the IAF. He has also ensured that aircraft are always serviced under close supervision thereby leaving no room for technical flaws. The Flight Safety Trophy for the year 1978 amongst supersonic block was won by one of the Squadrons located at this base speaks of his high dedications.

Inspite of shortages of manpower particularly Elect, MT and Radio trades, the officer, through wise adjustments, was able to complete all allotted tasks and achieve laid down targets for the station. Through his sustained efforts for better quality control and supervision in the CR&SS, the incidence of technical failures were greatly reduced and for the year 1979, there was no aircraft accident/incident on the station because of maintenance lapses.

The standard of MT on the station has gone up tremendously due to personal drive of the officer to educate and motivate all MT personnel. Economy in the consumption of petrol and diesel especially during the shortage period has been encouraging because of the constant vigil kept by the officer to ensure proper planning and coordination of MT commitments.

Wing Commander Khashnobish has all along displayed unstinting devotion to duty of a very high order. This together with his determination to tackle all problems could well be emulated by all ranks. He has shown admirable insight in anticipating bottlenecks and correcting them. His good leadership and excellent man management has resulted not only in achievement of the allotted task but also in building up a very healthy intrapersonal relationship in the station.

For his distinguished services of a high order, Rashtrapati is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Dalip Kumar Khashnobish.

Group Captain Rakesh Yadav (12809) AE (M) has been posted as a Chief Engineering Officer of a major flying base since 30 October 1995.

Throughout his tenure the fighter serviceability has been maintained above the required figure, resulting in substantial increase in quantum of flying. During this period, the helicopter squadron was also reorganised with an efficient Tech Flight and the helicopter serviceability was sustained in the face of numerous constraints. Group Captain Yadav innovatively developed a Test Rig for cleaning and flow rate check of restrictors of aircraft main fuel pumps. His dedicated efforts resulted in significant impro vement in the quality of maintenance practices.

Group Captain R Yadav also improved serviceability and condition of refuellers, aircraft specialist vehicles, Safety vehicles and common user vehicles. His deep involvement led to improvisation of windshields of CFT and recovery of electro pneumatic valves locally. Additionally, a total saving of Rs 1.2 Lakhs was achieved by keeping all three crash fire tenders operationally fit.

For distinguished service of a high order and dedication to service, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Rakesh Yadav.

Group Captain Rajesh Kaul (14929) Administration was commissioned on 10 Jun 1977 in the Administrative branch of IAF. During his 27 years of service he has held important field and staff appointments, which include Directing Staff at Air Traffic Control Officers' Training School at Air Force Academy, Senior Air Traffic Control Officer of a Flying Station, Deputy Director Air Staff Inspection at Air HQ and Chief Adm Officer of a Fighter Base. He is a Cat AYE Air Traffic Controller. He has been commended by the CAS. Presently, he is Chief Administrative Officer of a Flying Station since 01 Oct 2002.

As Senior Air Traffic Control Officer, he was commended by Chief of Air staff for his deep involvement as user during the runway resurfacing work at his Base. At Directorate of Air Staff Inspection, apart from performing his duties as Examiner/Inspector he was responsible for proposing an alternative Runway Rehabilitation scheme employing Cationic Bitumen emulsion and for conducting successful field trials.

As Chief Administrative Officer, Gp Capt Kaul with positive attitude and forthcoming disposition, has been relentless in providing administrative support to all operational and maintenance activities at this Wing. Quality work services were undertaken to renovate/ upgrade operational buildings like Base Air Defence Centre, Operational Readiness Rooms, Flight Complex of the fighter squadron and the Control Tower. High intensity modem lights were installed in all hangars and blast pens to improve ambient lighting for night operations/servicing. To improve quality of life, the kitchens and toilets in Airmen Messes and Married Quarters were renovated in phased manner. Effective measures were adopted to reduce power tariff. Also, with persistent efforts and personal liaison with Chairman, Punjab State Electricity Board at Patiala, he succeeded in obtaining a waiver of outstanding arrears on account of electricity tariff amounting to Rs. 23 lakh. With his pioneering efforts, Air Force School, at this Base became the first and the only Air Force School to install Bhartiya Vidya Programme, a computer/TV Based teaching aid which helps take teaching beyond the blackboard. During his tenure the station was adjudged Best Administered Wing in Western Air Command in 2002 and assessed Average Plus by the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection in 2003.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Rajesh Kaul.