On the 15th Jul 1991, the fighter Squadron of Flight Lieutenant Mysore Krishnaswamy Rama Prasad moved to 41 Wing, Air Force for Live Armament Practice. On the 17th July 91, a MiG-27 ML aircraft No. TS 539 was armed with one 250 Kg Bomb on the rear fuselage station, and 100 rds of 30 mm Front Gun ammunition had lined up on the runway for a pair take-off. As the throttle was opened, the pilot in the other aircraft noticed sparks and fire emanating from the rear of aircraft TS 539. The pilot of aircraft TS 539 was informed about the fire and asked to vacate his aircraft immediately. The rear of the aircraft was engulfed in fire by the time the crash tender arrived.

While the efforts to extinguish the fire were going on, there was a grave danger of the 250 Kg Bomb exploding at any instant. Flt Lt Prasad jumped and pulled himself up to the cockpit, and put the battery master and all armament switches off. He slipped while jumping down due to foam/water on the runway and injured his leg. Without bothering about the injury, he proceeded to open the panel that housed the fuel shut off cock. The fuel shut off cock was required to be closed to prevent further spread of fire. This panel was red hot as there was fire in its proximity at the time. He persevered and succeeded in opening the panel, and closed the fuel shut off cock manually. Fully aware of the grave danger of the bomb exploding at any moment due to intense heat, Flt Lt Prasad now moved to the 250 Kg Bomb to remove its fuse and make it safe. The electrical release unit cartridge could have operated, due to intense heat, thereby causing the bomb to release and possible explode. Flt Lt Prasad, therefore, removed the electrical release unit cartridge, thereby eliminating the danger of accidental release of the bomb. He then removed the electrical connection to make the 30 mm gun safe. The timely actions taken by Flt Lt Prasad prevented further damage to a costly aircraft and possible loss of several human lives. Flt Lt Mysore Krishnaswamy Rama Prasad, thus displayed conspicuous courage and exemplary presence of mind in tackling a potentially dangerous situation.

On the 19th September 1965, Squadron Leader Denzil Keelor was providing fighter escort to Mystere aircraft during a strike mission in the operations against Pakistan. His section of four Gnat aircraft was engaged by four enemy Sabre jet aircraft and the battle was fought at a height of less than 2000 feet from the ground where enemy anti-aircraft guns were also active. Under his guidance, his sub-section leader shot down a Sabre jet aircraft. Thereafter Squadron Leader Keelor himself engaged another Sabre jet and crippled it.

Throughout the operations Squadron Leader Denzil Keelor was a source of inspiration to his pilots and ground personnel. His courage and devotion to duty were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

On the 19th September 1965, as sub-section leader in a four Gnat aircraft formation, Flight Lieutenant Viney Kapila gave valuable assistance to his leader during an aerial battle against four Pakistani Sabre jet aircraft. The battle was fought at a height of less than 2000 feet from the ground where enemy antiaircraft guns were active. He shot down one of the enemy aircraft and then helped his leader to cripple another.

In this action Flight Lieutenant Kapila displayed courage and devotion to duty of a high order.

Squadron Leader Sanjay Bhatnagar (17363) Flying (Pilot) has been on the posted strength of a Fighter Squadron wef 03 May 98. As Senior Flight Commander of the Squadron, he has looked after the planning and execution of flying operations. He has successfully maintained a very high training status of all pilots of the Squadron. This was a vital factor that enabled the Squadron to take part in Kargil Operations at short notice and adapt quickly to the terrain and task in the sector of hostilities.

During the operations he was instrumental in analysing the targets, planning the types of attacks, briefing and motivating the pilots to undertake these missions. He led the juniors by example and from the front by undertaking the difficult missions. He flew a total of 15 missions causing extensive damage to the enemy. He struck an enemy camp during a night mission on 27 Jun 99 at 0230 h at Jubar. Extensive damage was reported by our ground forces and the camp was observed burning till next morning. He displayed extraordinary stamina to work for long hours and carried out his task at the cost of risks to his own life. His meticulous planning, supervision and personal courage ensured that all the missions were launched as per plan and were able to cause maximum attrition to the enemy.

For display of extraordinary courage in the face of the enemy, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Squadron Leader Sanjay Bhatnagar.

Flight Lieutenant Kambampati Nachiketa (22930) Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of a Fighter Squadron of the Air Force since 13 Sept 97.

On 27 May 99, he was authorised to fly as a wingman in a two aircraft live rocket firing mission over enemy camp during Op "Safed Sagar". During the sortie, after successful attack, he noticed that aircraft engine had flamed out. His height above the hilly terrain was less and it warranted abandoning of aircraft by resorting to ejection. Instead, he controlled the aircraft promptly, jettisoned the external loads and carried out an auto relight of the engine. Now since the aircraft was losing height and Auto Relight was taking time, he ejected only as a last resort.

On ejecting, he found himself in enemy territory. On seeing enemy troops approaching him, he fired at them and in the mean time took all precautions to hide and destroy all the confidential information that he had with him.

Despite his valiant attempt to escape at high altitude without acclimatization he was overpowered by a large number of enemy personnel and taken prisoner. He resisted all attempts of harassment and torture both physical and mental and refused to divulge even a single piece of military information. Flight Lieutenant K Nachiketa did his very best to save a valuable aircraft while flying over enemy infested area and later when confronted with the enemy, acted with great courage and determination in keeping with the best traditions of the Air Force.

For these acts of exceptional courage in the presence of the enemy, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Flight Lieutenant Kambampati Nachiketa.

Wing Commander Kanthalloor Saraswathy Suresh Kumar (18822) F (P) was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in the Flying Branch on 13 Jun 87.

He is presently the CO of a frontline Mirage Sqn. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor with more than 3500 h of accident free flying. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and has held various important appointments prior to the present appointment. In 2004, he was commended by CAS for devotion to duty. He is one of the very few pilots to achieve more than 1000 h of accident free flying on Mirage-2000.

Under his command, he has been able to motivate the unit to a very high level of performance. The operational capabilities of the Sqn kept on improving along with the training of under trainee (U/T) pilots of the Sqn. The Sqn was appreciated by Air HQ and HQ CAC for involvement of Sqn in various out station commitments and progress of U/T pilots training. In the year 2006, he was given the responsibility of leading a combined Mirage -2000 detachment to Singapore for Exercise Sindex-06/ OS. The exceptional result achieved during the exercise is a result of his meticulous planning and thorough professionalism. Leading by example, Wing Commander Suresh has been able to instill confidence, enthusiasm and a sense of pride in his men, binding the unit into a strong and potent team of professionals. The Sqn being adjudged the best fighter Sqn in the Command bears testimony to this fact.

For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Kanthalloor Saraswathy Suresh Kumar.