During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Parvez Rustom Jamasji was serving with a helicopter unit. His Helicopter flown by him was attacked twice by machine gun and twice by mortars. He showed great presence of mind and brought back his aircraft to the base. On one occasion his helicopter had engine failure over enemy position, but he brought it safely to a post within our territory.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Parvez Rustom Jamasji displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the month of April, 1982, a task involving placement of heavy machinery and its removal after the function was entrusted to Sqn Ldr Sharwan Kumar Bhatia. The locations were at series of small patches of ground all about 6000' altitude along the Himalayan border where it looked almost impossible to land an Mi-8 helicopter with such a heavy cargo.

Squadron Leader Sharwan Kumar Bhatia (11316) Flying (Pilot), faced the task with utmost courage. In a series of one hundred and twenty eight landings spread over a continuous period of ninety days, flying under extremely unfavourable conditions in all aspects and the area of operation through the deep hazardous gorges of Himalayas and stresses and strains. Squadron Leader Sharwan Kumar Bhatia completed the task and came out as “Complete Pilot” of the Indian Air Force. An error of minor nature over such a long period, at any stage, would have meant grave loss and a total disaster to him.

Squadron Leader Sharwan Kumar Bhatia thus displayed sustained courage and a high degree of professional skill, competence and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Vinod Behari Mathur was commissioned in December 1960. He was posted to an operational unit from 30th January 1967. He is the only qualified Alouette Pilot in this Centre. During his tenure of over 3 years, Squadron Leader Mathur has flown over 200 hours. In 1969-70, the unit undertook certain operations in NEFA. They involved helicopter landings at altitudes upto 11,000 feet at helipads for below the required standards. Inspite of these hazards, Squadron Leader Mathur undertook operational and support flights regularly to and from these helipads, displaying great courage and devotion to duty. But for the logistic support rendered by this pilot, many important operations would not have been feasible.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Vinod Behari Mathur displayed professional skill, courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Narendra Pratap Sahi was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 21 Jun. 69, He has flown a total 4269 hours on transport/helicopters. He was selected for deputation to the Aviation Research Centre of the Directorate General of Security as Junior Captain and assumed his duties on 13 April 81 at an Advanced Air Base of this Centre

On 22 Jul 83, the Commander at Doom Dooma received a wireless message stating that an officer of the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau stationed at Taksing in NEFA hills had met with a serious accident resulting in cerebral injury and fractures of the arm. He was reported to be in a serious condition hovering between life and death. Immediate evacuation was asked for.

Squadron Leader Narendra Pratap Sahi was detailed to undertake this casualty evacuation task. Flying a Chetak helicopter to Taksing from Doom Dooma during this part of the year because of active monsoon conditions and associated turbulent weather demands determination, dedication and flying skill of high order.

Squadron Leader Narendra Pratap Sahi with courage and determination negotiated the weather and turbulence and reached the helipad at Taksing at 1230 hours IST. With exemplary flying skill and devotion to task in hand, he carried out the rescue attempt. He was successful in his mission and evacuated the casualty to Tezpur safely.

For his devotion to duty with complete disregard to personal safety and comfort, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Squadron Leader Narendra Pratap Sahi.

Wing Commander Avtar Singh (9040) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 25 Dec 64. He flew a total of 5427 hours during his service career of which 3042 hours were on AN-12 aircraft alone. During his flying career, Wing Commander Avtar Singh operated over treacherous terrains both in the Ladakh and in the Eastern Sector in difficult weather conditions.

Wing Commander Avtar Singh was posted to the Aviation Research Centre on deputation on 06 May 86. On 08 Mar 88 while Captain-in-command of an AN-12 aircraft, No. 3 engine caught fire shortly after take off. He demonstrated professional skill of an extremely high order in handling the emergency. As shown by recorded evidence on tape, he maintained his usual calm throughout and provided necessary guidance to his crew to fight the fire which was engulfing the aircraft. Though the aircraft was in a very critical state it was entirely due to his leadership that the crew continued to operate as a cohesive team without any trace of panic. For reasons beyond the control of the Captain and the crew the starboard wing of the aircraft disintegrated and the aircraft crashed on approached only about 5 nautical miles from the runway killing all on board the aircraft.

In recognition of his past professio- nal record, his excellent professional skill and the leadership provided by him to his crew under very adverse circumstances in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Wing Commander Avtar Singh posthumously.

221343 Sergeant Tulsi Parthasarthy Medical Assistant was enrolled on 5th December, 1957. During this period of about 18 years he has rendered invaluable service to the Indian Air Force. Wherever he worked, he set an example for others to emulate. He has been on deputation to the Aviation Research Centre since 15th February, 1971. This hard working, energetic and intelligent Senior Non-Commissioned Officer has shown exem plary behavior, exceptional courage and devotion to duty during an air crash on 3rd May, 1975. Sergeant Tulsi Parthasarthy rushed to the scene of accident and rendered invaluable assistance in administering first aid and subsequent evacuation of one of the pilots who was very seriously injured. He then set forth to trace the bodies of other victims of the crash from the burning and fuming wreckage. With determination and courage he assisted the fire fighting and survival crew tremendously to extricate the bodies of other crew members from the blazing debris. But for his utmost sincerity, concerted and timely action some of the bodies could not have been recovered. Sergeant Tulsi Parthasarthy placed service and devotion to duty above self and displayed most exemplary service during an emergency.

For his exemplary courage and devotion to duty Sergeant Tulsi Parthasarthy is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Baldev Raj Sammi (8639) F (N) has been on deputation to Aviation Research Centre from 25 April, 1977, and has been serving in the capacity of Navigation Leader. He has over 4800 hours on AN-12 out of which 1565 hours on Operational Flying, which includes some of the most vital and hazardous missions during 71 operations and clandestine operation within the ARC Organisation.

During his tenure, High Altitude Para Trials were successfully carried out and finally completed during November, 1980. The defiance of the hazardous Terrain in Ladakh Sector where these trials were carried out call for no other than pin point accuracy in dropping. His sound judgment, exceptional airmanship and professional skill, contributed to the successful completion of these trials undertaken by the Organisation. He is forever in the forefront for any operational task.

His exceptional professionalism has manifested the highest standards of operational preparedness in general and up-gradation of all Navigators' categories in particular.

For his excellent skill, leadership and devotion to duty of a high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Baldev Raj Sammi.