Wing Commander Mohinder Singh Bawa was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Air Force in April, 1953. He has served in a number of fighter and fighter bomber squadrons and has commanded one of them. He is a qualified flying instructor and served as such in the Air Force Flying College. At present, he is the Chief Instructor of Armament Training Wing. During the recent conflict with Pakistan, Wing Commander Mohinder Singh Bawa was in command of an airfield. He transformed the airfield into a major base, capable of sustaining intensive operations by a number of aircraft. The enemy made persistent attempts to neutralise this base, but due to effective air defence arrangements these attempts failed, and the base remained operational throughout. Aircraft operating from this base mounted large scale operations in close support of the Army, knocking many enemy tanks and vehicles. Several attacks were launched against enemy airfields in the sector, leading to the destruction of a number of aircraft and curtailment of enemy air activity; the enemy's road and rail communications in the area were also severely disrupted. All this was achieved largely because of the support given by the base under inspiring leadership of Wing Commander Mohinder Singh Bawa, He has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.