Group Captain Praveen Khanna (13833) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in Engineering Branch of Indian Air Force on 06 Jan 1975. During his 30 years of service, he has successfully held a number of other important appointments including, Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station Pathankot during Op Vijay, Joint Director Engg (Mirage) at Air HQ during Op Prakram and Test Engineer at ASTE Bangalore. Presently the officer is held on the posted strength of Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), DRDO, Bangalore since 25 Nov 2002 and has been working as Joint Director (Aircraft). The officer is qualified on Mirage-2000 & MiG-21 aircraft and Mi-25/35, Chetak & Cheetah helicopters. He has successfully completed service courses on Management and Systems Engg. He is Life-member of a number of Professional institutions like Aeronautical Society of India, Society of Aerospace Quality & Reliability, etc. As JD (Aircraft) at CEMILAC, he is entrusted with total responsibility of Airworthiness issues of all fighter aircraft of IAF. These activities include Airworthiness Certification of Modifi cations, upgrades, New Weapon integration, Life Extensions of ab-initio developed aircraft, viz. Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and all existing IAF fleets of MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar aircraft. These tasks involve constant interaction with DRDO and CSIR Labs, PSUs, and Air HQ on one hand, and to entrust and monitor the progress of certification by RCMAs at Bangalore and Nasik.

Gp Capt Khanna has been directly associated with the prestigious "Full Scale Fatigue Testing" Program of MiG-21 Bis aircraft. Phase-1 of the project has been completed through his hard work and dedication wherein Total technical Life of each Airframe has been enhanced from OEM's recommendation considerably, resulting in savings to the national exchequer. He also pro-actively participated in MiG-27 Upgrade, a gigantic Avionics Upgrade program. During each phase of project he exhibited highest degree of his professional/technical and managerial acumen, to achieve stage-wise milestones of detailed systems testing for Airworthiness Certification. His keen efforts and personal involvement led to the issue of Airworthiness Certification and the first upgraded aircraft flew on 25 Mar 2004.

In addition, during Op Vijay teams led by Gp Capt Khanna worked relentlessly to study, analyze, and integrate new weapons on Mi25/35 helicopters. The teams modified AttackHelicopters to successfully launch them as series of extremely potent weapons. During 'Op Parakaram' as JD Engg (Mirage), he took up the challenging task of maximising the serviceability of this fleet and its armaments. All resources were harnessed optimally and a number of critical spares/LRUs were successfully indigenised/procured in an unprecedented time frame. With his deep involvement, fore-sightedness and co-ordination the Mirage2000 achieved highest fleet serviceability ever.

For unflinching sincerity, professional competence and distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award ' 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Praveen Khanna.