Group Captain Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar (15881) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 14 Dec 1979 in the Flying branch of the 1AF. During his service career he has held various important appointments including that of Directing Staff at Tactics and Combat Development Establishment, Directing Staff at College of Air Warfare (CAW), Deputy Director Air Staff Inspection at Air HQ and Commanding Officer of a MiG-21 Squadron. He is Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College. The officer was awarded Commendation by the CAS in 1994. Presently, he is posted to HQ Western Air Command (WAC) as Ops 1A since 11 Nov 02.

During his tenure as Commanding Officer of a Mig-21 Squadron, he displayed exemplary leadership and personal involvement in bringing up the operational status of Squadron. This effort was recognized when the Squadron was nominated the best fighter squadron in WAC for 2000-2001. At CAW, he was instrumental in setting up the Historical and Air Warrior Cell.

As Ops-IA at HQ WAC, Gp Capt Kumar has shown a high level of involvement, initiative and put in a lot of hard work. He has made an all out effort to improve the operational efficiency and professionalism of all fighter Squadrons in the WAC. His interaction with the field units, initiative and anticipation of problems has helped the units concentrate on their operational tasks and reposed new confidence in the art of staff planning at the Operational level. By his involvement, active participation and dedication he has ensured correct guidance and inputs for safe and efficient conduct of fighter operations in WAC. As the Ops 1A, he efficiently coordinated conduct of "Yojna" for fighter Squadrons which included various exercises on air to ground, combat support force operations and Air Defence along with monitoring day-to-day flying of each unit. He was one of the key members of the team that was responsible for smooth and efficient conduct of command level exercise Gauntlet - 03. He displayed an outstanding grasp of the intricate task of modern warfare planning essential for Command Air Ops. As Officer in Charge Flypast, he has been instrumental in efficiently conducting Air Force Day Flypast in 2003 and Republic Day Flypast in 2004. Following Op Parakaram, WAC was given the task of enhancing the Operational potential of a few 'Core' fighter Sqns. Group Captain Kumar personally took charge of these core units and his meticulous planning, close involvement and overall supervision, ensured that the overall Operational capability of these Sqns, was maintained at a very high level.

For distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar.

Wing Commander Jonnalagadda Rajendra (18150) Adm/Lgl was commissioned on 06 Dec 85 in the Administrative Branch. He has held various field and staff appointments with distinction. The officer has joined the Dept of JAG (Air) in the year 1991.

The officer is highly disciplined, diligent and entirely devoted to the cause of service. Being endowed with indomitable energy, self motivation, strong conviction and analytical proclivity, he displayed extremely high degree of professionalism, uprightness, involvement and dedication in rendering correct and timely legal assistance holding long term perspective of service as paramount. Having undergone Air Staff Course and Staff Officers' Course for Judge Advocates in the US, the officer immensely contributed in introduction of new systems and procedures to handle Disciplinary matters and to conduct Investigations.

With his in depth knowledge in law and procedures, Wg Cdr Rajendra perceived the reasons for the inherent delays and disproportionate costs involved in investigation processes and made significant contribution by defining a new system for in situ recording of evidence of outstation witnesses by utilising existing Telephone and Fax facilities. The new procedure, which has now been adopted through out the service, has brought in much desired convenience and expediency in finalising the investigations, significantly saving public funds, service resources and man hours. Further, the organizational changes proposed by the officer, introduced throughout the 1AF has also proved to be successful and facilitated accurate and time bound action in handling disciplinary matters. The officer has also involved himself in resolving many civil litigation matters in favour of the service. Significant achievements have been the handling of Contempt of Court Case of Srinagar Runway land dispute and the litigation of AF School, Palam which culminated with Govt grant of Rs 1.88 Crores. With his in depth knowledge, foresight, meticulous planning and tact, the officer ensured safeguarding of service interest and thus prevented adverse Judicial Orders for payment of salaries to staff of the said School out of Welfare Funds.

For his substantial contribution, total commitment to the cause of service and distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Jonnalagadda Rajendra.