On 26th March 1979, Squadron Leader Narinder Singh was engaged in Ladakh. The dropping zone was located in a narrow valley surrounded by high ranging hills. The operation involved constant manoeuvring of the aircraft every close to the hills. During a critical turn at an altitude of about 13,000 feet, his aircraft developed an engine failure and started losing height and power rapidly. Squadron Leader Narinder Singh skillfully manoeuvred his aircraft and diverted it to advance landing ground at a distance of about 45 kilometers from the dropping zone and effected a safe landing with the help of only one engine. Squadron Leader Narinder Singh not only saved a valuable aircraft but ensured delivery of urgently required rations at the destination.

In this action, Squadron Leader Narinder Singh displayed professional skill, courage, determination and devotion to duty of a very high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Rajaram Jayaram Ambegaonker was commanding a Transport Squadron which was deployed In the Eastern Sector. He increased the output of his squadron and toned up the operational efficiency of aircrew and groundcrew. He also improved the serviceability state of his aircraft by organizing aircraft maintenance on a 24 hours basis. He led a section of aircraft in the airborne operation over Bangladesh on the 11th December, 1971, and the restraining strap on his aircraft gave way causing the premature extraction of a part of his load, he maintained control over the aircraft and completed the missions.

Throughout, Wing Commander Rajaram Jayaram Ambegaonkar displayed courage, leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Minoo Ruci Wadia has been serving with an Operational Squadron since October 1969. He has 2,000 flying hours to his credit out of which 1,400 hours are on operational flying. On the 11th September, 1970, he was detailed to fly from Allahabad to Bangalore. After becoming airborne, when approximately 135 miles south of Begumpet, he experienced loss of propeller control on the starboard engine. The aircraft which was fully loaded began to lose height rapidly. He controlled the aircraft on asymmetric power and reduced the loss of height to the minimum by ejecting the jettisonable load and diverted the aircraft to Cuddappah airfield for an emergency landing. This airfield was inadequate for landing the aircraft, but there was no alternative. During the landing run at Cuddappah, the engine reverse pitch did not function in time. After rolling for about 600 yards, he found that the nose wheel steering had also failed with the resultant loss of directional control. Inspite of these mechanical failures, he remained cool, and skillfully brought the aircraft to a safe halt within the short space available.

Warrant Officer Asha Mukul Sarkar has been serving with, an operational Squadron as a Flight Engineer since January 1962. He has attained the highest transport category "A" in his aircrew duties. He has to his credit over 3000 flying hours. His capacity for intelligent analysis of aircraft defects is excellent. He has always evinced keen interest in flying and has discharged his duties as Flight Engineer with zeal and enthusiasm. He has faced many a grave situation in the air calmly and with confidence. Twice his aircraft developed engine trouble in flight and on both the occasions, his timely detection of the faults and sound advice to the pilots on remedial measures helped in landing the aircraft safely.

Group Captain Om Kumar Chhabra was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 7th February, 1959. He has to his credit over 7300 Hours of accident-free flying, out of which over 2500 hours have been in maritime role and over 3000 hours on instructional flying. He had the distinction of being awarded Master Green rating as a young pilot in less than six years of service on super constellation aircraft. He has, today, the distinction of being one of the few A­1 instructors in the Air Force. In addition, he holds 'A' Master Green on Dakotas, Super Constellations and HS-748 which, in the Air Force, is the highest achievement, a pilot can aspire for.

Group Captain Chhabra has been commanding one of the transport squadrons since July, 1979. Since October, 1979, shortage of aviation gas of 100/130 octane began to have an adverse effect. It was therefore decided to induct HS-748 for air maintenance role. Though the serial trials on this aircraft have been carrying out since 1972, no conclusive data was available to find out the fitness of this aircraft for this purpose. The challenging task of finding out its feasibility for operations in the Eastern Sector was entrusted to Group Captain Chhabra. He carried out the trials flying in narrow valleys and difficult terrain, even in turbulent conditions. It was because of the dedication to duty and flying acumen of the officer that the worthiness of this aircraft is now being effectively utilized for air maintenance operations/role.

Group Captain Om Kumar Chhabra has thus displayed high professional competence and exceptional devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Ujwal Ramchand Dabir has been the Flt Cdr of a Transport Squadron since 10 Apr 82. He has a total of 3475 accident-free flying hours to his credit.

During March 1984, he was detailed to commence aircraft operations in the J&K area to give support to the Army for the exercise 'Meghdoot'. He carried out the first landing in a Packet aircraft on the new Thoise runway and thereafter cleared other pilots also for the operation. He planned supply dropping in the area and operated as flying supervisor to provide excellent support to the Army in the Nubra valley. With his professionalism and in-depth knowledge of the area, he was able to instill confidence in other aircrew operating over the most difficult terrain and under adverse weather conditions.

During June, 1984, he provided continuous support to the Army agencies in apprehending deserters from Ramgarh area. His personal example, dedication and efforts, motivated the whole station. As a result, despite limited resources, operations by day and night and fast turn around of reconnaissance and troopcarrying aircraft could be achieved.

During September, 1984, he was specially selected to conduct flood relief operations in Saharsa area. Once again, with only two helicopters, he was able to provide succor to thousands of marooned people. His dedication, personal example and efforts, far above the normal call of duty, highly motivated the flood relief team and earned high praise from the officials of the Government of Bihar.

For his devotion to duty and personal example in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wing Commander Ujwal Ramchand Dabir.

Group Captain PC Chopra is posted as Commanding Officer of an AN-32 Squadron since Aug 92. He is an A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor and has over 7,400 hrs of accident free flying. Gp Capt PC Chopra had an instructional tenure in Iraq and was Chief Flying Instructor at Flying Instructors School, and Chief Instructor at Air Force Station, Yelahanka. The officer was selected for the first batch to USSR for training on AN-32 aircraft and was subsequently responsible for the initial conversion and Operational training of many AN-32 pilots. He had been instrumental in the formulation of Standard Operating Procedures and had evolved techniques for initial AN-32 operations in the Eastern Sector. The officer is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, and has also held the appointments of Command Examiner on Kiran and AN-32 aircraft.

As a Commanding Officer he is carrying out extensive training and operational flying in the Siachen Glacier and the unit flew more than 12,000 hours accident free. He successfully completed three major airborne assault exercises during his tenure, which were meticulously planned and flawlessly executed.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Group Captain PC Chopra.

219257 Sergeant Prana Krishan Misra, F.II.A has been on the posted strength of an operational squadron since March, 1961. Throughout his stay in the squadron he has worked with zeal and vigor. His skilful diagnosis of faults and their rectification has saved innumerable man-hours and avoided unnecessary replacement of expensive spares. His ever-readiness and known capacity for sustained hard work has earned him immense respect and admiration from all men.

During his stay in the squadron he has been called upon to perform many difficult tasks under trying conditions. Once, during the Chinese aggression in 1962, he was the only tradesman in the entire servicing party to look after the servicing of six aircraft detachment. Through only a Corporal then, he worked with initiative and ensured 100% serviceability of all the aircraft despite lack of spares and manpower. On another occasion, he had to service an aircraft, after the failure of complete hydraulic system, without the requisite ground equipment.

Throughout his service career Sergeant Misra has displayed high professional skill and singular devotion to duty. He has accomplished many difficult tasks though his initiative and organizing ability.

400352 Master Flight Engineer Gurdial Singh Samra Flight Engineer was enrolled in the Indian Air Force as a technician in June 1950. After working for some years on a variety of aircraft, he was appointed as Officerin-charge of the Daily Servicing Section of an operational Unit. He held this appointment creditably. Thereafter, he qualified as a Flight Engineer, in which role he has flown to-date 2500 hours, including 1000 hours on operational missions.

Master Flight Engineer Samra has amply demonstrated his qualities of courage and leadership. On one occasion, he extricated and saved a passenger, who was trapped in a burning aircraft which had been loaded with inflammable material. The danger to his own life did not, in any way, deter him from performing his duty.

Master Flight Engineer Samra has secured the unbounded loyalty and admiration of the airmen working under him through his personal example of hard and devoted work.

205093 Sergeant Shivnath Pandey, Fitter II Engines was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in September, 1949. He has served at a number of operational and training units and repair depots. At all these units, he has acquitted himself well.

Since December, 1968 he has been serving with an operational Squadron where he has been responsible for the servicing of a wide range of ground equipment required for maintaining aircraft. In addition to this, he supervised and conducted the successful completion of 28 engine changes, 30 cylinder changes, 13 Power Recovery Turbine changes, 12 regulator changes and 40 propeller changes in a little over one year. On one occasion when one of the Squadron aircraft had an engine failure at another base, he displayed initiative and resourcefulness in completing the engine change by the next day. During September, 1970, the Squadron experienced a number of technical malfunctions which had baffled expertise at all levels. With ingenuity, initiative and sustained hard work, he succeeded in tracing the causes of defects and rectifying them. He has thus contributed significantly towards achieving high state of operational readiness of his squadron. His example of selfless dedication has been an inspiration to his men.

By his outstanding achievements, professional skill, initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Shivnath Pandey has rendered distinguished service of a high order. For this he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.