Sergeant Ramor Lekhwan, Instrument Fitter, is on the posted strength of Fighter Training Wing since 15 Nov 75. He was one of the airmen trained in Poland on TS-11-ISKRA aircraft during 1975 for 1st and 2nd line servicing.

He worked in various sections of the unit. He always came up with new ideas for improving Instrument Systems. The Air Staff had projected a requirement for installation of 'G' meter on 'Flight Safety' priority on this aircraft which will help trainee a great deal. The difficult task of trial fitment of 'G' meter on one Iskra aircraft was assigned to Sgt Ramor. He had fabricated the necessary brackets and by utilizing the 'G' meter of Vampire aircraft the trial fitment was completed in a record time of one week. The installation of 'G' meter trials proved successful and subsequently approved modification has been successfully carried out on all Iskra aircraft.

The standby magnetic compass fitted on Iskra aircraft is prone to failure i.e., its body develops cracks and fluid leaks out thereby rendering the compass unserviceable. Since the introduction of the aircraft into service, a total to 32 magnetic compasses KI-3A were rendered unserviceable. In 1979, the Chief Engineering Officer of the Wing had proposed to install E2B compass (used on HJT-16 i.e., Kiran aircraft) in place of originally installed compass KI-13A on this aircraft. The trial installation of this compass was again entrusted to Sgt Ramar. The E2B compass is electrically built-in-type for illumination for night flying purposes. Sgt Ramor independently fabricated control panel for electrical wiring of E2B compass and a bracket to install the same compass, keeping in view all the 'Flight Safety' points and operational requirements of Iskra aircraft. The modification trial was successfully carried out and approved.

With his sincere and dedicated approach to such service requirement both the modifications were successfully carried out within a very short period. His devotion to duty is not only a source of inspiration to his subordinates, but also a matter of deep satisfaction of his superiors. Sgt Ramor is an asset to any Air Force unit.

Throughout his stay at the unit, Sgt Romar has displayed exemplary skill and a very high standard of professional ability. He has worked relentlessly in making the above flight safety modifications a great success. The President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sergeant Ramor Lekhwan.

Group Captain BU Chengappa was commissioned in the Engineering branch on 05 Jun 69. He has held the appointments of Deputy Director Engineering at Air HQ and Commanding Officer of the Guided Weapons Training Institute. He was specially selected for training on Mi-25 Helicopter in USSR. He is the Chief Engineering Officer at AF Station Hakimpet since 18 Oct 93.

On arriving at AF Station Hakimpet, he keenly observed the recurring Iskra aircraft snags and through his Engineering acumen located the cause at the hydraulic system arising from hydraulic oil contamination. He designed and fabricated a special 3 micron oil filter in the system by which the snags have been completely eliminated. Similarly on the helicopters he identified a manufacturing defect of Belloow-seal rupture causing transmission failure. This has earned him kudos from the Heli-division of HAL.

Being an MBA degree holder, he blended his managerial skill with the technical environment and has been able to attain 93% serviceability on Iskra and 90% on the helicopters during last year, through enhanced motivational techniques of a high calibre. The Station won best Mechanical Transport Trophy and the best Flying and Maintenance trophy of HQ Training Command in 1993 and 1994 respectively.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain BU Chengappa.

271228 Warrant Officer Gurdev Singh Parhar Weapon Fitter is on the posted strength of Air Force Station Hakimpet wef 01 Jul 96 and has been deployed as Warrant Officer incharge Station Armament Section. He is also WO i/c for Armament Exercises for pilots' courses at Sarmat Range.

Warrant Officer Parhar possess excellent knowledge of his job and related functions and is an exceptional performer who translates his knowledge into practice. During air armament exercise of 160 PC in Mar 98, when aircraft No. W-1765 developed a defect of inadvertent release of rockets from MARS-4 rocket pod, making the Armament Exercise futile, WO Parhar with analytical mind involved himself in defect rectification and found that the rocket pod had developed residual voltage due to the fault in the Junction Box. He associated himself with the Polish team and incorporated a modification in PUS cases of all the aircraft, by which the residual voltage was eliminated, resulting in smooth and proper release of rockets from rocket pods.

Warrant Officer Parhar displays tremendous foresight in anticipating work needs and ability to marshal available resources. Due to this quality he was able to make quantity 44 Light Series Bomb Carriers (LSBC) serviceable from the total of 64 unserviceable vintage LSBC, which were made available for bombing practice of 161 PC. This shows his tremendous ability to ensure optimum utilisation of resources and achieve high productivity.

During the last Armament Exercise, due to his meticulous planning and continuous monitoring of the progress, he could ensure that the down time of aircraft was kept at minimum, which resulted in smooth and efficient conduct of Air Armament Exercise without any incident/accident.

For the total dedication to duty, superb professionalism and exemplary work in marshalling the available resources for optimum utilisation, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Warrant Officer GS Parhar.

Wing Commander Gopal Krishna Patnaik (14735) Adm/FC was Commissioned on 29 Dec 1976 in the Administrative Branch of the IAF. As a Fighter Controller he commanded a Squadron from 1991 to 1996 and subsequently posted to Air HQ as Deputy Director Personal Service (DDPS) from 1996 to 1998. He successfully recovered a MIG-29 aircraft which was uncertain of its ground position for which he was commended by the CAS on 26 Jan 1996. As DDPS, he revised the policy pertaining to discipline in the Air Force and critically examined all the Court of Inquiry proceedings relating to agitation in respect of Pay Commission recommendations for which he was commended by the VCAS on 26 Jan 1998.

In his present appointment as Chief Administrative Officer, he has been responsible for providing effective administrative support to create safe flying environment, enhanced security measures and improved quality of life. On 30 May 2000 at about 1935 h, the Station was struck with heavy storm disrupting electric and water supply. Despite total darkness and heavy rains he motivated the Military Engineering Service (MES) personnel and took immediate steps in restoring electric and water supply in a least possible time. He successfully conducted the survey of Air Force land, which had been pending for the last 134 years, identified the encroachments and initiated actions to remove the same. With his close liaison with the Hyderabad Urban Development Authorities he organised mass scale tree plantations on Air Force land outside the camp to prevent any further encroachments. To improve the quality of life he refurbished the Airmen Institute, provided music at Hangars, TVs in every Section, locally fabricated Bus Shelters, 24 split Air Condition ers at various places, Curtains in Airmen Billets and developed Parks with fountain. He gave a new impetus to various Non Public Funds and achieved a record growth.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Gopal Krishna Patnaik.