Group Captain Muttatu George Mathew was commissioned in April, 1963 and has held various field appointments. He was on the posted strength of Air Force Station Bidar from 24 Jan 83 to 06 Oct 86. His arrival coincided with a change in the role of the Station. Jet Training on Kiran aircraft was introduced to improve the service ability of airborne electronic equipment, navigation and communication aids. To install a newly acquired radar, he worked round the clock and was able to make it operational within four days and maintained a high degree of serviceability. He was also instrumental in the installation of DRDF/DF and arrester barrier, well ahead of the schedule to meet the jet operations.

In Sep 85, on promotion to the rank of Gp Capt, he assumed the duties of Chief Engineering Officer. This officer, through hard work keen application and ingenuity grasped the essential of his new assignment and improved the serviceability of the of the Kiran fleet. By his sustained effort, he generated sense of confidence and esprit-de-corps among his colleague and subordinates He was primarily instrumental in maintaining a high state of MT serviceability. It was because of the firm foundation laid by him that the station was able to present 100% vehicles in a serviceable condition during the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection in 1986.

Through his excellent man-management and high professional skill, he was able to elicit effective performance from his officers and men. The credit for the station being adjudged the Best Maintenance Station of the Air Force for 86-87 goes to him.

For his excellent performance, high professional skill and deep devotion to duty, the president is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Muttatu George Mathew.

Group Captain Atma Singh is on the posted strength of an Air Force Station since 14 Oct 89 as Chief Engineering Officer.

He was posted to this Station after the induction of a new Jet trainer HJT-16 MK II at this Flying Training Establishment. The teething problems in the newly inducted jet and the availability of critical spares was unsatisfactory and the experience of the technicians/supervisors was just adequate. With his vast system and managerial experience, sheer grit and determination, he analysed the problems in the shortest time and initiated remedial measures.

Kiran MK IA aircraft were re-inducted in Jan 91. He motivated the officers and technicians to meet the additional task of running two DSS and R&SS for Kiran MK IA and Kiran MK II without any additional manpower. He was the main driving force behind the Station achieving nil accident on Kiran MK II since its induction and after 30,000 hrs of flying. As a result the Station was awarded Flight Safety Trophy of Training Command, for the year 1989-90 and Air Force Flight Safety Trophy for the year 1990-91.

Gp Capt Atma Singh analysed and improved MT holding in a phased manner. His thrust, on safe driving amongst the MTDs has resulted in nil, MT accident during last 2 years and the Station obtained Best MT Trophy of Training Command, during 198990. He planned and vigorously followed up replacement of old and obsolete Radio and Navigational equipment by the State of art systems. The Station attained and sustained almost 100% serviceability of all the RANAD equipment. This Station has been awarded Best Maintenance Trophy of Training Command for 1990-91. Gp Capt Atma Singh was deeply involved in planning all the maintenance facilities for successful conduct of trial firing at a newly selected Air to Ground Range. When operational, this range would accrue annual saving of about Rs.6 Crores for the Air Force.

For the intellectual and professional acumen of a very high order, excellence in management, devotion to duty and dedication to the service, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt Atma Singh.

Wg Cdr Shankar Mani is on the posted strength of Air Force Station, Bidar as Chief Flying Instructor on Kiran MK II ac since 17 Sep 90. As a Senior Flying Supervisor, he very closely monitored the performance of his trainees and QFIs to ensure meaningful and productive training without compromise of training standards or Flight Safety. The deep sense of professional pride instilled in the aviators and his exacting standards have resulted in Air Force Station, Bidar winning the Training Command Flight Safety Trophy and also the IAF Flight Safety Trophy for subsonic group for the year 1990-91.

Wg Cdr Mani, despite his senior supervisory duties, took active interest in flying and has flown over 630 hrs. In addition, he undertook the task of conducting trial firing at the newly selected air to ground range site. He with his enthusiasm, professional acumen and excellent management, ensured timely execution of ab-initio training firing. Further, with his vast experience of over five years as an erstwhile member of the Thunder Bolts, he has rendered invaluable guidance and assistance to the newly formed Aerobatic Team on Kiran MK II ac at Bidar.

For his professional competence of a very high order, excellence in management and inspiring leadership, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Shankar Mani.

Air Cmde Gulshan Kumar Kwatra was commissioned on 06 April 1964 in Engineering Branch of the IAF. He performed creditably during 1971 War and was Mentioned in Despatches. He has held appointments of Chief Engineering Officer at Uttarlai, Chief of Planning and Chief of Aircraft at a Base Repair Depot and staff appointments at Air Headquarters. He has also been on deputation to the Botswana Defence Forces.

He was appointed Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station Bidar with effect from 07 Dec 1992 at a time when works services for Airfield Lighting Project were moving at a slow pace. With his vast managerial experience, high intellectual acumen, sheer grit and determination he analysed the prevailing bottlenecks and initiated remedial measures. These efforts resulted in completion of the project on time.

He was responsible for recovery of 12 aircraft grounded for prolonged period, speedy aircraft structural repairs and sustained high aircraft serviceability. He demonstrated air worthiness of over 40 aircraft by achieving 100% serviceability and flying all aircraft on 12 occasions.

He spearheaded a drive for inventory control resulting in saving of Rs. 57 lakhs. His involvement in commissioning of Modern Servicing Garage and repairs of safety vehicles resulted in substantial savings.

He was responsible in minimising aircraft accidents and incidents due to technical reasons and achieving zero vehicle accident rate. He introduced a number of modifications and innovative maintenance practices and safety measures. His professionalism and dynamic approach added a new dimension in achieving high maintenance standards.

For distinguished service of high order the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Air Cmde Gulshan Kumar Kwatra.

Group Captain S Swaminathan was commissioned as an Engineer on 03 Jan 72. He has held the appointments of Electronics System Operator Leader, Senior Technical Officer of a Mirage squadron and Deputy Director of Electronic Warfare. He was responsible for formulation of SOP, which was widely acclaimed.

He was appointed Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station, Bidar on Oct 94. Leading by personal example, he achieved very high standard of maintenance safety. He ensured high serviceability of aircraft, to achieve timely completion of three Pilots Courses.

He contributed immensely to achieve the targets set by Command and Air Headquarters. He maintained exceptional degree of quality of training of tradesmen through regular personal interaction with the personnel. He, with his foresight, accurate planning and perseverance, was able to provide a new purpose and direction to all the technical personnel who achieved challenging maintenance and safety tasks.

For distinguished services of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Gp Capt S Swaminathan.

Group Captain Sumer Chand Gaur SC (14118) AE (L) was commissioned in the IAF on 07 Jul 75. During his 25 years of distinguished career he has served in a number of operational transport and helicopter squadrons. He has also been Senior Technical Officer (STO) at the Basic Flying Training School (BFTS) and Commanding Officer of a Repair and Salvage Unit. As STO, BFTS, he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff for ensuring high serviceability of HPT-32 aircraft. He was awarded Sharuya Chakra in 1984, for display of a high order of professionalism and courage during an in-flight emergency. Gp Capt Gaur has been the Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station, Bidar since 01 Sep 97. As C Eng O of this very important and very busy flying establishment, he has displayed a high degree of maturity, tact and technical expertise. His skilful handling of both men and material resulted in a steady improvement of aircraft serviceability, which rose from 40-50% in 1997 to 80-90% by end of 1998. This trend has continued to date. By personal example he established a culture of hard work and professionalism. On many occasions he was called upon to ensure servicing or rectification of unusually large number of Kiran aircraft in a limited time frame. By sheer hard work, close supervision and meticulous planning he successfully met such challenges. By innovation and perseverance he successfully modified the smoke emission system of the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team Kiran MK-II aircraft to greatly enhance the visual effect. He also ensured a qualitative improvement in the Ground and Test Equipment of the aircraft. He was also instrumental in bringing about substantial savings by ensuring skilful retrieval or rectification of many expensive aircraft components.

For this dynamic leadership, professionalism and distinguish service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is please to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Sumer Chand Gaur SC.

Group Captain Praveen Kumar (15970) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned on 07 Jan 1980 in the Engineering Branch of the IAF. During his distinguished service of 24 years he has spent a long time in the field having worked in various capacities on the Gnats and MiG-29 aircraft. He has also worked in 4 BRD as Chief of Quality Assurance and has held an important staff assignment at Air HQ. He is a graduate of Advanced Air Armament Staff College. He is a recipient of Commendation by the CAS and Commendation by AOCin-C SWAC. Presently, he is posted to Air Force Station Bidar as Chief Engineering Officer (CEO) since 11 Aug 2003.

As CEO of Air Force Station Bidar, Gp Capt Kumar has strived hard and ensured that the serviceability of Kiran Mk-1 and Kiran Mk II aircraft at the station remained above 80% and 90% respectively. Due to this, the flying training of 172 PC and 173 PC progressed very smoothly. On 08 and 09 Oct 2003 he ensured 100% aircraft serviceability at the station. He ensured that the Aircraft Maintenances Manual was always meticulously followed in all maintenance practices at the station.

When the Surya Kiran Aerobatic was to be prepared for their South Asia tour in early 2004, he left no stone unturned to ensure that this task was carried out very efficiently. All Suryakiran aircraft and ground equipments were painted and special boxes were made for carriage of tools and ground equipment. He ensured that all Suryakiran aircraft were properly serviced and had more than 40 hours of flying left prior to their South East Asia Tour. The 100% serviceability of Suryakiran aircraft during the South East Asia tour during Feb-Mar 2004 bears a testimony for his efforts.

Gp Capt Kumar ensured that regular audits were carried out into various maintenance practices at the station and remedial actions instituted forthwith. He has led by example and motivated all personnel under him to give their best to the service. He ensured that a Quarterly Maintenance Digest was published at the station for the benefit of maintenance personnel. Due to the efforts of his team, the station could fly over 10,000 accident free hours during the year 2003-04. He put in very long hours of work, well beyond the normal call of duty, to ensure a safe and healthy maintenance environment and culture at the station.

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