Air Marshal Har Krishan Oberai, AVSM VM (4583) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 14th October 1953. He has held a number of important command and staff appointments, with distinction and exhibiting a flair for Innovation and pioneering work.

He has during his service carried out extensive strategic reconnaissance and aerial survey of unsurveyed territory in the North, stretching from Aksai Chin to Arunachal Pradesh. This work has been of lasting value for operational planning and natural resource mapping of the area. Later he served with distinction as the Flight Commander and, subsequently, as a Squadron Commander of the Air Headquarters Communication Squadron, The Air Officer was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for his contribution during the 1971 war,

Air Marshal Oberai has served as Director of Personnel (Officers), Director Plans and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans). In these appointments he inducted scientific methods of approach, and through his conceptual ability and capability to pursue goals, was able to achieve results of a high order. Later on, as Commandant of the Air Force Academy, he brought about qualitative Improvement not only in the training, systems and standards, but also In the field of maintenance and general administration.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, he was appointed as the Senior Air Staff Officer of an operational command where his wide experience vividly contributed to the operational preparedness and performance of the Command.

Air Marshal Oberai In his present appointment as the Air Officer-incharge Personnel at Air HQ, is continuing to enhance the quality of personnel management and development of human resources in the Indian Air Force.

Air Marshal Har Krishan Oberai, AVSM VM (4563) Flying (Pilot) has thus rendered distinguished services of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Brijesh Dhar Jayal was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on the 8th October, 1955. His entire career has been marked with outstanding contributions in augmenting the operational potential and preparedness of the IAF. A test pilot of a very high calibre and a product of the Empire Test Pilot School, United Kingdom, he has held a variety of command and staff appointments.

In 1979, as a leader of the Jaguar Project Team in the UK, he was instrumental in the smooth and rapid induction of the aircraft in the service.

After graduating from the National Defence College in 1985 he was appointed Director Air Staff Requirements at Air Headquarters. Here, he displayed intense farsightedness in respect of the future requirements of aircraft, weapons and other equipment for continuous upgradation of operational potential. On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal he took over as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans). His acumen for planning and clear perception of long term requirements has been a contributory factor in formulating plans which are of immense value to the IAF in particular and the nation as a whole.

Before recently taking over as DCAS, the Air Officer had held the appointment of ACAS (Operations) with distinction.

Air Marshal Brijesh Dhar Jayal, AVSM, VM & Bar has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Praduman Kumar Jain was commissioned in the Indian Air Force, in 1952. During his long and meritorious career of 38 years, he has held a variety of prestigious appointments with great distinction.

At the initial stages of his career as a Controller of the Air Traffic Control, he displayed high proficiency, innovation and resourcefulness in his profession.

The professional standards set by him are even now used as yardsticks. He was instrumental in conceiving and establishing the only Air Traffic School in the Indian Air Force.

The Air Officer has served as the Chief Administrative Officer at two major bases. With his professional approach and direction, he brought about vast improvements in the administrative infrastructure and services which substantially enhanced the functional and operational efficiency of these bases.

As Air Officer incharge Administration he shouldered the responsibility of guiding the entire spectrum of administrative activities in the IAF. While discharging this onerous duty with his usual zeal and professionalism he has shown the initiative approach and courage to rise above traditional methods and normally accepted considerations after failure of the MES to provide qualitative runway repairs which critically affect Air Force Operations.

As President of the Services Sports Control Board, he demonstrated keen interest in promoting adventure and sports activities which help immensely in developing spiritde-corps and dynamic character among the personnel of the Armed Forces.

Air Marshal Praduman Kumar Jain, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Rajendra Kumar Dhawan was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on the 17th July, 1954. A graduate of the National Defence College and Long Defence Management Course, a fighter Pilot of repute, he has held a wide variety of important command and staff appointments with distinction.

He was entrusted with the command of a squadron to be re-equipped with a different variant of supersonic fighter aircraft in 1973, where he faced multiple problems of the new induction. He, however, overcame the problems with initiative, determination and innovative skill. Through untiring efforts, he created a nucleus from which the subsequent squadrons of similar types could be formed successfully.

As Deputy Commandant of the Air Force Academy, he was instrumental in improving the training standards in respect of officer trainees of all branches. Later, he was appointed as the Commandant of the College of Air Warfare where he guided a number of studies to update air warfare doctrines and strategies.

Promoted to the rank of Air Marshal in 1988, the Air Officer was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at the Air HQrs. He guided and supervised an extensive in-house re-appreciation of the long-term re-equipment plan and the preparation of the draft outline of the VIII Plan of the Indian Air Force. His other achievement has been re-tailoring of the Air Force plans and schemes in conformity with expected allocation, without curtailing the process of building up the operational potential. In April 1990, he was posted as the Senior Air Staff Officer of an important Operational Command. In this appointment, his operational and staff experience continued to be of immense value.

Air Marshal Shashi Kumar Samuel Ramdas was commissioned on the 4th April, 1955. A graduate of the National Defence College, he has held a number of important field and staff appointments.

From 1976 to 1978, he served as the Chief Engineering Officer of a premier fighter base in the South Western Sector. Here, by meticulous planning and optimum exploitation of the limited resources, he ensured a very high state of serviceability of all aircraft and related systems. He was specially selected for training of Jaguar aircraft in the United Kingdom in 1979 and was closely associated with the successful induction of this high technology aircraft into the Indian Air Force.

In February 1986, he was appointed as the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of an Operational Command. In this assignment, he brought about all round improvement in maintenance activities. He computerised the data and functioning of the Maintenance Control Centre at Command HQrs for increasing the quality and speed of decision making. He ensured strengthening of the infrastructure and qualitative improvements in the standard of maintenance and serviceability which enhanced the operational preparedness of the Command.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, he was appointed as the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at HQrs Maintenance Command. There, with his vast experience and expertise, he continued to make significant contribution for enhancing the production of various Base Repair Depots and, thus improved the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force.

The Air Officer was nominated to head a high-powered committee to examine all aspects relating to the operation and maintenance of Airbus-320 aircraft by the Indian Airlines. The report of the Committee bears ample testimony to the Air Officer's professionalism and analytical ability in evaluating complex technical and man-machine interface problems in high-technology aircraft. The Government has accepted the Committee's report and implementation of its recommendations would assist the Indian Airlines in ensuring safe and smooth induction of this most modern aircraft.

The Air Officer has since retired and taken over the prestigious appointment of the Chairman, Indian Air Lines.

Air Marshal Shashi Kumar Samuel Ramdas, AVSM, VM, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Trilochan Singh (5043) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Fighter Stream of the IAF on 14 June 1956. During his long service career he has held a number of key command and staff appointments including Command of a fighter squadron, an operational Base, Director Electronic Warfare at Air HQ and Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command.

A veteran fighter pilot, he was awarded the Vir Chakra for conspicuous gallantry during the Indo-Pak Conflict in 1965. A dedicated Pilot Attack Instructor, he brought about remarkable improvements in the operational effectiveness of a frontline fighter squadron during his command. As a befitting squeal to his leadership of the Squadron, he was later appointed the Station Commander of a large Fighter Base in the Eastern Sector. His dynamic approach to numerous problems at this remotely located base transformed it into an exemplary station, for which he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1980.

As Joint Director Air Defence, he was the key figure in the induction of MiG-23 MF air defence aircraft in the IAF. He also served as a crucial member of the negotiating team for the Mirage-2000 aircraft and was instrumental in laying down the utilization philosophy and the weapon mix for this weapon system. Appointed Air Attaché in our Embassy in France in 1982, he coordinated the actual hand-over of Mirage-2000 aircraft to the IAF as well as the training of Indian pilots and technicians, apart from successfully negotiating and finalizing certain subcontracts of the Project.

A graduate of National Defence College, his contribution as DEW in exploitation of the IAF's meager inventory was noteworthy. In 1988, he was appointed the Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at Western Air Command. As SASO of this Command, he was deeply involved in the planning and finalization of operational plans. He conceived relocation of the air defence elements of the WAC; making the system far more effective.

A graduate of Senior Defence Management Course, the Air Officer brings to bear his varied operational and administrative experience in his present appointment of Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) and continues to make significant contributions to our operational preparedness through innovative utilization of resources.

Air Vice Marshal Trilochan Singh AVSM, VrC, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Abraham Mathews was commissioned in the erstwhile Technical/ Signals branch of the IAF on the 7th September, 1953. During his long and distinguished career, he held a variety of command and staff appointments with distinction which included the command of a key Maintenance Base, Dy Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of an Air Force Command, Director Signal (Air) at Air HQ and finally the Director General of Radar and Communications Project Office, Ministry of Defence.

Although he belonged to a technical branch of the IAF, the Air Officer was one of the very few Engineering Officers who also became a fully qualified pilot. The Air Officer went on to log 2200 active flying hours to his credit. Not content with that he also became a qualified Air Signaller of repute. For his performance during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan conflict, he was awarded “Mentioned-in-Despatches".

Appointed Dy SMSO of the Maintenance Command in 1985, the Air Officer brought about remarkable improvement in the functional efficiency of the base Repair Depots of the IAF through innovative procedural changes and management techniques.

The wide-ranging experience of the Air Officer coupled with his methodical reasoning was brought to full advantage when he was selected to be a member of the high-powered La Fontaine Committee on Flight Safety. The Air Officer made invaluable contribution to the identification of the weaknesses in the training and development of the technical personnel of the IAF. Also, an optimum model of training, development and placement of IAF engineering officers and airmen was evolved under his guidance.

The Air Officer was appointed as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Systems) in 1988. While holding this assignment, he introduced several measures to obtain greater operational readiness through more efficient use of resources.

The ultimate landmark in the career of the Air Officer was his appointment as the Director General of the vital Radar and Communication Project Office of the Ministry of Defence in the rank of Air Marshal. He provided the necessary vision and thrust in this capacity to rapidly upgrade the nation's air defence through completion of a large number of radar and communication projects in the given time frame.

Air Marshal Abraham Mathews, AVSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Swaroop Krishna Kaul was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on the 17th July, 1954. A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, the Air Officer has, during his long and distinguished career, held a number of command and staff appointments which include the command of a fighter squadron during war, Senior Air Staff Officer of two operational commands and Air Attaché in Moscow.

An outstanding fighter pilot of repute, he commanded a fighter squadron in the eastern sector during the Indo-Pak war in 1971. Displaying leadership of a high degree, he personally led several missions deep into enemy territory to obtain complete air superiority over the area of operations. For his gallant conduct throughout the period of war, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra in 1971.

The Air Officer holds the unique distinction of serving as the Senior Air Staff Officer of two operational commands viz South Western Air Command and the Central Air Command. In these appointments, he brought about a number of innovative improvements which significantly enhanced the IAF's operational potential without a substantial change in resources. On his appointment as AOC-in-C of Central Air Command, the Air Officer has brought to bear his vast operational and staff experience with the ultimate objective of building his command into a formidable fighting machine in the most cost effective manner.

Air Marshal Swaroop Krishna Kaul, MVC has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Sukhdev Mohan was commissioned in the IAF on the 6th November, 1954. During his long and distinguished career he has held a number of important command and staff appointments which include command of a fighter squadron, a sensitive flying station, Air I of an operational command, Director of Systems Evaluation at the Air HQ and Senior Air Staff Officer of an operational command.

A graduate of the Long Defence Management Course, the Air Officer held several staff appointments with distinction. As the Air I of Central Air Command, he brought his varied experience to bear on the conduct of a large number of command level exercises successfully. His thorough direction led to significant improvement in the air space management of this sector. As the Director of Systems Evaluation at Air HQ, the Air Officer displayed remarkable clarity of thought and reasoning which invariably led to improved efficiency with existing resources. The Air Officer is not only a graduate of the National Defence College but also had a very distinguished tenure as the Directing Staff at the premier national institution. In this capacity he made a significant contribution to the higher direction of war through useful interaction at the highest level. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1987.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal he was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Eastern Air Command. The Air Officer made remarkable contribution in this capacity in achieving laid down targets of air drops in forward areas as well as the operational preparedness of the front-line fighter squadrons in the command. The Air Officer brings to bear his vast operational and staff experience upon his present appointment as the AOC-in-C of the SAC, wherein he continues to guide the operations in his vital area of his responsibility.

Air Marshal Sukhdev Mohan, AVSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Pinnapakkam Masilamani Sundaram was commissioned in the Air Force Medical Services on the 1st March, 1955. The entire service career of this illustrious Air Officer has been marked with academic brilliance, excellent performance in field and staff appointments and total dedication to service.

Armed with wide-ranging qualifications in the field of General and Aviation Medicine, the Air Officer held various appointments wherein he successfully carried out projects requiring extensive medicine and aviation interface. One of these was a project on design and development of the universal cockpit at the Institute of Aviation Medicine at Bangalore. The project now serves as a versatile tool for human engineering problems relating to fitness of aircrew with disabilities. In addition, the Air Officer also served two distinguished tenures as Head of the Department of Acceleration Physiology at this prestigious institution.

Later, as Deputy Principal Medical Officer (Aviation Medicine) at HQ Western Air Command, the Air Officer brought about innovative changes in the aircrew survival pack and casualty air evacuation procedures. Further, during his tenure as the Officer-inCharge Aero-Bio Engineering unit in the R&D Organisation, the Air Officer was instrumental in the development and indigenisation of various items of flying clothing including oxygen masks which led to vital savings in foreign exchange.

Appointed Air Officer Commanding of Aviation Medicine in 1985, the Air Officer provided remarkable leadership in the growth of professional knowledge of the IAF's medical community as a whole, besides several aviation and human-engineering related projects.

Air Officer was appointed Commandant of the Air Force Hospital, Bangalore in 1987 in the rank of Air Vice Marshal. Here, he provided the much needed guidance in the treatment of a large number of OP “Pawan" casualties.

Before his retirement from service as the Director General of Medical Services, Air Force, Air Marshal Sundaram has effectively used his vast professional expertise and experience in successfully tackling aviationmedico problems.

Air Marshal Pirtnapakkam Masilamani Sundaram, AVSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Indrakanty Gopala Krishna was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on the 2nd May, 1957. During his long and distinguished career he has held a wide variety of command and staff appointments which include command of a major Base Repair Depot, Chief Engineer of two key fighter bases and Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of two commands. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, the Air Officer held a wide variety of staff appointments with ease and aplomb. He held the challenging appointments of Director Engineering 'B' in 1985 and Director Engineering 'A' in 1988 with distinction at Air Headquarters. The Air Officer brought about several innovative changes in these appointments which directly contributed to the operational preparedness of the IAF. An alumnus of the National Defence College, the Air Officer also had a very distinguished tenure as the Deputy Air Attaché at Paris. In this tenure, the technical reports of the Air Officer were always exceptionally helpful in evaluating spare parts requirements of French origin.

Having undergone Senior Defence Management Course, the Air Officer was first appointed as Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at HQ Western Air Command and later at Maintenance Command. While holding these key appointments, the Air Officer vigorously pursued the IAF's short and long term maintenance targets. On being appointed as AOCin-C Maintenance Command in April 1991 Air Marshal Krishna has brought to bear his wide-ranging field and staff experience upon providing fresh impetus to the on-going process of technological update of maintenance practices of the IAF.

Air Marshal Indrakanty Gopala Krishna, AVSM, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Palamadai Muthuswamy Ramachandran, was commissioned in the IAF on the 8th October, 1955. During his long and distinguished career, he has held a large number of key command and staff appointments which included the command of a frontline fighter Squadron, Director of Personnel (Officers) at Air HQ and Senior Air Staff Officer of an operational command.

Applying his excellent professional expertise to real problems, the Air Officer has been displaying rare dynamism and courage throughout his career. During the Goa Operations in 1961, he carried out a bold attack and destroyed enemy patrol boats carrying explosives. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra for gallantry.

An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence College, the Air Officer made a distinguished contribution to the concepts of inter-service planning when posted to Defence Planning Staff in the rank of Air Vice Marshal in 1983. Later, as Director of Personnel (Officers) at Air HQ, the Air Officer introduced innovative promotion schemes such as personal ranks of Gp Capt which came at a time when the service was beset with serious promotional bottlenecks.

On being appointed Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command in 1990 in the rank of Air Marshal, the Air Officer provided the much needed foresight, conceptual framework and administrative dynamism for a large number of operational exercises conducted in his Command. In his last appointment of Vice Chief of Air Staff, the Air Officer used his vast professional expertise, operational experience and ability for finding out solutions to complex problems.

Air Marshal Palamadai Muthuswamy Ramachandran, AVSM, SC, VM, has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Ravinder Math Bhardwaj was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 08 Oct 55. During his long and distinguished career he has held a number of key Command and Staff appointments with distinction which included command of a fighter Squadron, a frontline fighter base and Senior Air Staff Officer of an Air Force Command.

Commencing his career as a fighter pilot, Air Marshal RN Bhardwaj rapidly established a reputation of a thorough professional. His single minded and decisive approach to military flying became abundantly clear during the lndo-Pak War In 1971. He led a number of missions on heavily defended ground targets of the enemy and caused heavy damage. On 10th Dec 1971 while leading a ground support mission in the Chhamb area, he shot down an enemy Sabre aircraft. For his role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for conspicuous gallantry.

A qualified flying instructor of repute he was placed in Command of a Fighter Squadron in 1974. The Air Officer moulded his squadron into a formidable fighting unit through ceaseless effort close supervision and dedicated involvement with men and material.

An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence College the Air Officer was assigned the Command of a key Air Force Base in the Central Sector in 1982. Displaying rare acumen for management the Air Officer was able to build up a military complex which would be ready to deliver results at short notice despite resource-crunch.

Although the Air Officer has an enviable record of operational service, he was equally at ease in training roles. He held a distinguished tenure as a flying instructor with the Iraqi Air Force. Further, he displayed remarkable flair for management of training needs of the armed forces when he was posted as the Deputy Commandant at National Defence Academy in 1984.

In addition to the operational and training roles the Air Officer's contribution in the staff appointments has both a blend of rich field experience and outstanding ability for clear thinking. As Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Inspection) at Air HQ the Air Officer was able to identify weak areas of field units and suggest corrective measures. Later, as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans), the Air Officer played a crucial role in the formulation of new plans and completing on going ones.

Bringing to bear his vast experience, the Air Officer completed a very successful tenure as Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Training Command in the rank of Air Marshal. The Air Marshal continues to contribute to the operational effectiveness of the Air Force in his present appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command.

Air Marshal Ravinder Math Bhardwaj, MVC, VM has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal PJ Jayakumar, AVSM (5037) Plying (Pilot) was commissioned in the IAF on 14 Jan 56 as a fighter pilot. Throughout his long and distinguished career he has held a variety of Command and Staff appointments of crucial importance. These included Command of a fighter Squadron and of an extremely sensitive fighter base, Director Air Defence and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air HQ and Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Western Air Command. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1988.

A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Air Officer Commanded a frontline fighter Squadron in 1974. Later, he was placed in Command of a very sensitive base at the border in 1982. During his Command additional operational units were inducted at his base. Displaying remarkable management abilities the Air Officer was able to make newly inducted units fully operational in the shortest possible time despite severe constraints of resources.

The Air Officer was appointed Commandant of College of Air Warfare in 1908 in the rank of Air Vice Marshal. The Air Officer provided a new dimension to the doctrines of Air Warfare through innovative thinking and guidance.

In addition to holding Command appointments, the Air Officer held several Staff appointments of crucial importance with equal ease and aplomb. As the Joint Director Personnel (Officer) at Air HQ in 1977, the Air Officer was instrumental, in formulating a new promotion policy and the appraisal system which has been the hallmark of manpower management of the officer Cadre of the IAF ever since. Further, the Air Officer displayed rare conceptual thinking, flair for meticulous planning and dedicated effort as the Director, Joint Operations. A graduate of the Command and General Staff Course of Voroshilov Academy of the USSR, the Air Officer was appointed Asst Chief of Air Staff (Inspection) in 1989. In this assignment the Air Officer was able to identify the crucial areas for improvement of a large number of operational units of the IAF through close monitoring and attention for details. Appointed Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel in the rank of Air Marshal in 1990, the Air Officer was able to establish an optimum interface between operational requirements and man-power policies.

As Senior Air Staff Officer of Western Air Command the Air Officer provided a fresh insight into the operational plans and their modes of implementation. The Air Officer presently holds the vital appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command. In this appointment the Air Officer brings to bear his vast operational and Staff experience to maintain this Command in the peak operational readiness.

Air Marshal Pondicherry Jayarao Jayakumar AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Dushyant Singh was commissioned in the IAF on the 14th January, 1956. In his service career, the Air Officer held a number of command and staff appointments with distinction which include command of the crucial Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, a fighter base, AOC Jammu & Kashmir and Senior Air Staff Officer of an Air Force Command.

Air Marshal Singh commanded a key training institution and later a vital Air Force Fighter Base which housed a mix of many types of aircraft as well as firing range. Displaying his usual determination, he was able to bring up his base to a high level of operational preparedness. Later, he was placed in command of J&K area in the rank of Air Vice Marshal during the height of Siachen crisis. On this assignment, he displayed rare resoluteness of purpose and brought glory to the IAF in the air support role in conjunction with the Army. The Air Officer continues to serve the IAF as the Air Officer Commanding-inChief of the Eastern Command. In a short period since his taking over the Command, he was able to appreciate the priorities of the Govt. and dovetail them with the Command plans. Sensing the need to bring economy in Govt. expenditure, he was able to reduce the man power by 3000 without sacrificing the operational commitment of his command.

Air Marshal Dushyant Singh, VM, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Prabhat Kumar Varma was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on 06 Nov 54. Throughout his long and distinguished career he has held a variety of key Command and Staff appointments with distinction. These include command of a Combat Squadron, the only VVIP base, a major fighter base, Director of Personnel (Officers), Director General of Defence Planning Staff and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air HQ . He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1975 for exceptional devotion to duty while commanding a combat squadron. Later, he was appointed the Chief Operations Officer of the first ever Jaguar base of the IAF. Subsequently the officer commanded the prestigious VVIP base, Air Force Station Palam in an exemplary manner. A graduate and Directing Staff of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Air Officer commanded a frontline fighter base in 1985. The Air Officer also held a very distinguished tenure as Senior Air Staff Officer of Southern Air Command during the induction phase of OP PAWAN. On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, the Air Officer was appointed Director General Defence Planning Staff in MOD. The Air Officer held the crucial appointment of Air Officerin-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters. Here, the Air Officer showed a remarkable ability to produce man-machine interface, which is so vital to a military service. For the distinguished service of exceptional order, he was awarded AVSM in 1993.

On assuming duties after major bypass surgery during Jan 93, not only he took over his own duties of the Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel, but was also entrusted with the arduous responsibilities of the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. Without showing any concern for his health, he rose to the occasion and discharged the dual responsibility in an exemplary manner wherein he displayed an extraordinary capacity to withstand the implicit stress and strain of the twin portfolios.

The Air Officer assumed the responsibilities of the DCAS at a time when the Nation was passing through the phase of ever mounting economic crunch. Despite the tight budgetary controls, he ensured that the expenditure was kept within the funds allotted without compromising the operational preparedness. He retailored the Air Force plans in conformity with the expected allocation and the changed strategic continental perceptions.

He has left an indelible imprint in the appointments that he has held during his chequered career spanning nearly four decades of dedicated service.

Air Marshal Prabhat Kumar Varma AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Naresh Kumar, AVSM, VM, ADC was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 14 January 1956. In his distinguished career spread over 37 years, he has held various important command and staff appointments. A graduate of National Defence College, he has an outstanding accident free flying record of more than 3000 hours on various aircraft like Vampires, Chetak, Mi-4, Mi-8 and Mi17 aircraft. While commanding one of the helicopter units he was assigned the task of flood relief in North Bengal and in recognition of his services, act of courage, initiative and devotion to duty, he was awarded 'Vayu Sena Medal' in 1970. After a successful tenure as Air Attaché in Afghanistan, he was appointed Air II in one of our premier Command Headquarters, followed by a command of an operational base located at high altitude. Under his inspiring leadership, meticulous approach and guidance, this base was brought to the level of operational excellence. For rendering distinguished service of an exceptional order, he was awarded 'Ati Vishisht Seva Medal' in 1988. On his a promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he took over as Senior Officer-inCharge Administration at HQ CAC, before taking over yet another important appointment of AOC Jammu and Kashmir. His performance in both these appointments of totally diverse fields of administration and operation, was commendable.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal in April 1991, he was appointed Air Officerin-Charge Administration at Air Headquarters. With his sound professional competence and dedicated hard work, brought about all round improvement in all areas of activities, viz. work services, general administration, management of public and welfare funds. A particular mention need to be made of introduction of “Medical Care Scheme" for retired Air Force personnel during this tenure of his. He was also entrusted the responsibility of Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel along with AOA, which he discharged with unmatched excellence.

In Apri1, 1992, Air Marshal took over the appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command. In this appointment, using his professional expertise in the field of operations, he effected considerable improvements in the Ops preparedness. He, with his meticulous planning and analytical approach, carried out rationalisation of resources and manpower in various spheres of activities and brought about significant savings to the tune of a few crores without any compromise on operational capability. In Mar 93 he was appointed Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of a major operational Command.

Air Marshal Naresh Kumar, AVSM, VM, ADC has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Keith David Kingsley Lewis, AVSM, VM Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 01 Apr 56. Out of a service of more than thirty seven years, he spent twenty eight years in the field. He has flown over 4500 hours accident free on single engined aircraft, mostly jets. He successfully held all important field appointments including command of the legendary No.1 Squadron and of two major Air Force Stations. For his professional competence and devotion to duties, he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1971. He actively participated in both the Indo-Pak wars. During 1971 Operation, the detachment of MiG-21 under his able leadership at a Northern airfield, proved crucial to the results of the war. On staff, he has held the most prestigious and demanding air staff appointments, viz, SASO of an Operational Command, Director Operations (Offensive), Director Intelligence, Addl ACAS (Ops) and Inspector General of the IAF at Air Headquarters. He has also been a Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College. For his distinguished service as Air Officer Commanding of an Operational Wing, he was awarded AVSM in 1988.

Over and above his arduous responsibilities as IG he was appointed in 1991 as Chairman of the IAF's Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee. He executed this task in an extremely professional manner. The celebration received favourable press coverage, thus brining the IAF closer to the people. Briefly stated, the IAF Diamond Jubilee 1992 was celebrated with the highest standards and in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

As SASO, he displayed an uncompromising commitment to the attainment of operational status of clearly evident deterrence to any potential enemy. Through relentless pursuit of this aim, the Command maintained a very potent war fighting capability of guaranteed pre-emptive and reactive capability. Furthermore, as Inspector General of the IAF, it was his perceptive vision of the compelling necessity to institute flight safety measures guaranteed to produce long term and lasting gains that a holistic appraisal was made and the present target for the entire decade of 1992 t0 2001 was set. This raised the IAF horizon from concerns about immediate gains to that of accident reduction of a more lasting nature over the long term. Likewise, in the field of inspections, the level has been elevated from single unit assessment to ascertaining the war fighting abilities of operational of operational commands in the use of air power in the Asian sub-continental scenario.

Air Marshal Keith David Kingsley Lewis, AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Having been commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) (AE (M) ) Branch of the Indian Air Force on 03 Sep 56, Air Marshal Amal Kumar Mukhopadhyaya (5337) rose to the present appointment of the Air Officer Incharge Maintenance (AOM) at Air Headquarters. During his long and distinguished service career, the Air Officer had held various key and staff appointments such as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) 402 Station, Director Maintenance Plans and Inspection at Air Headquarters, Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of an operational Command and that of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Engineering A) for which he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in January 1991.

On taking over as Air Officer Incharqe Maintenance, Air Marshal Mukhopadhyaya had to face a spate of critical problems confronting the maintenance management which were to be tackled judiciously and promptly in the interest of operational preparedness. There were two major constraints, namely, depleted funds available owing to the financial crunch on the on hand and declining product support for the combat as well as transport aircraft and helicopters forming the bulk of the Air Force, from the erstwhile Soviet Union, on the other hand. These problems were to be effectively handled to keep the operational preparedness of the Air Force. Air Marshal Mukhopdhyaya with his technical acumen and administrative ability braved the challenges to ensure that operational requirements are not unduly impaired or adversely affected. Inadequate product support from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was another problem to be solved. With his personal involvement and incessant efforts, he has been able to extract more, satisfying product support from that agency. To keep pace with the fast changing times, computerisation of logistics management systems in the Indian Air Force was a long awaited need. On his personal initiative, a final shape was given to this aspect, a measure which would accelerate speedier supplies to the units. Another thrust area is indigenisation of aircraft spares and equipment. A number of projects aimed at expediting indigenisation efforts have been initiated under his watchful eyes, the successful implementation of which could greatly help tide over the crisis situation created by shortage in many of the imported items.

Air Marshal Ama1 Kumar Mukhopadhyaya, AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Pratap Rao was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 25 August 1956. He has held numerous important command and staff appointments. Being an A2 Qualified Flying Instructor he was sent on deputation to a friendly country to impart training to its pilots. Subsequently, he was posted to Aircrew Examining Board where he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1975 for utmost devotion to duty. He was also specially selected for the appointment of Military, Naval and Air Attaché to Bangkok. On return he was appointed as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of a major fighter base in the Western Sector, where for his distinguished service of an exceptional order, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1989. He has also held important assignments such as Planning Officer in the Department of Defence Production, Director Intelligence and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Inspection).

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, the Air Officer was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of the Western Air Command (WAC). In this assignment the Air Officer made significant contributions to the operational plans and their execution. The Air Officer was then appointed as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of WAC. In a very short time the Air Officer was able to appreciate the priorities of Govt and dovetail them with the Command plans, which increased the operational potential of the Command without any additional resources or expenditure.

The Air Officer is presently holding the vital appointment of Vice Chief of the Air Staff. In this assignment, the Air Officer brings to bear his best operational and staff experience. He has left an indelible imprint in the appointments that he has held during his chequered career spanning nearly four decades of dedicated service,

Air Marshal Pratap Rao, AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Verinder Puri was commissioned as a pilot in the transport stream on 25 August 1956. During his long illustrious career, he has held many important assignments both in the field and staff. He has flown various types of aircraft and has 9500 hours of accident free flying to his credit. An A2 Qualified Flying Instructor, he has also served as staff at the Flying Instructors School. He has been the Air Force Examiner with Aircrew Examining Board for two years. Because of his instructional prowess, he was selected to go on deputation to a friendly country to train its pilots. He has commanded three field units including the prestigious Air Headquarters Communication Squadron associated with VVIP/VIP commitments. For his professionalism, determination and courage he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (VM) in 1964 and a Bar to VM in 1975. He has commanded two major Air Force bases and was subsequently specially selected to undertake diplomatic assignment as Air Attaché to USA.

On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of Southern Air Command. The Air Officer was responsible for the efficient conduct of air operation during operation Pawan (Sri Lanka) and operation Cactus (Maldives). He was later appointed Senior Air Staff Officer of Eastern Air Command (EAC) on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, where he worked diligently towards improving the operational preparedness and efficiency of the Command.

The Air Officer is presently serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOCin-C) Training Command (TC). He has put his vast flying, field and staff experience to optimum use by ensuring that high training standards are maintained and all courses are completed on schedule.

Air Marshal Verinder Puri, VM and Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Sadanand Kulkarni was commissioned as a Navigator on 23 March 1957. In his long career spanning more than 37 years he has held varied field and staff appointments. He holds A-1 Navigation Instructor category, and has served as Air Force Examiner for three years. For outstanding professional skill he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1969. An alumni of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Defence Institute of Work Studies, College of Defence Management (CDM), Naval Post Graduate School, California, USA and National Defence College (NDC), the Air Officer has served with distinction as Directing Staff at DSSC for two years and at CDM for five years. He also held the appointment of Director Systems Evaluation at Air HQ. He was later appointed Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Tambram, the premier Training Institution of the IAF.

As Commandant of CDM, the Air Officer put his vast academic and teaching experience to full use. He restructured the main course and initiated a number of short duration courses to suit the Services requirement. On promotion to Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed Senior Officer Administration of the Western Air Command. Due to his personal example, tremendous capacity for sustained hard work and methodical approach he established harmonious and effective management of man power and resources which had a direct bearing on the output of operational units.

On promotion to Air Marshal, he was selected for the appointment of Commandant of National Defence College, the most prestigious defence institute of our country which he is holding till date. The Air Officer, with his knowledge and experience has restructured the syllabus, modernised the training aids and support facilities and incorporated a modern library retrieval system.

Air Marshal Sadanand Kulkarni, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Satish Kumar Sareen was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 29 May 1957. He has held several key field and staff appointments in his service career. As a Flight Commander of a MIG-21 Squadron, for courage and devotion to duty, he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1970. He graduated from Defence Services Staff College in 1971 and was appointed Ops-1 in Eastern Air Command. A Pilot Attack Instructor, the Air Officer was selected for a deputation to a friendly country to train its pilots. He commanded a fighter squadron and was the Chief Operations Officer of two major fighter bases. He also commanded an Air Defence Radar Unit. On promotion to Air Commodore, he was appointed Air Defence Commander, Western Sector. In 1985, he was specially selected to the diplomatic assignment of Air Attaché to the Embassy of India at London, UK. On return to India, he was appointed Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Srinagar. For his commendable performance he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1990.

On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal the Air Officer held the key appointments of Additional Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) and Director of Intelligence. While holding these appointments he carried out a complete update of our adversary's capabilities and disseminated the same to all concerned. On promotion to Air Marshal rank, the Air Officer was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of Central Air Command, where he excelled in bringing realism to electronic warfare training. He was personally involved in a night para drop exercise of a Battalion Group, which culminated very successfully. He was later appointed Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of South Western Air Command (SWAC). His proposal for operational re-deployment and re-organisation of SWAC units was accepted by Air HQ and is being implemented. He was also tasked to carry out an in-depth review of Logistics Management in IAF. He has produced a policy document to reorganise the entire logistics branch and its functions, which is under study at Air HQ. In Jun 1994, the Air Officer was appointed AOC-in-C Western Air Command (WAC). Air Marshal Satish Kumar Sareen, AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Kodendera Cariappa Cariappa, VM was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 29 May 1957. As a young pilot, he qualified as a flying instructor. While on an instructional tenure he was attached to a fighter squadron to participate in the 1965 operations. He was shot down on an operational mission and taken prisoner of war. Released with injuries in a POW exchange after the war, he converted onto helicopters before being selected by the then CAS to be his ADC. Thereafter, he commanded a helicopter squadron before and during the 1971 war. For his performance in command of the squadron, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in January 1973. After regaining his medical category, he reverted to the fighter stream and also commanded a fighter squadron. An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), he served as directing staff of the College of Air Warfare. He successfully commanded a fighter base and was selected by the CAS to be his Air Assistant. Thereafter, he was specially selected to undergo the course at prestigious Royal College of Defence Studies in England. On return to India he was appointed Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Gwalior.

On promotion to Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed as Chief Instructor (Air) at DSSC. Later he was the Air Officer Commanding, Advance Headquarters, Western Air Command, where he contributed significantly to the overall operational plans.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, he successfully held the appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of Eastern Air Command (EAC). Inspite of disturbed insurgency conditions, he provided a fresh impetus into the operational plans and their modes of implementation. The Air Officer presently holds the vital appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South Western Air Command. In this appointment, he brings to bear his vast operational and staff experience to maintain this command in peak operational readiness.

Air Marshal Kodendera Cariappa Cariappa, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Rajamani Ramamurthy was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) branch on 01 March 1958. As Senior Technical Officer of a newly acquired fighter aircraft, he did a commendable job for which he was awarded VSM in 1971. Subsequently, he was appointed Chief of Aircraft at a major Base Repair Depot (BRD) and performed exceptionally well by increasing the production. He was specially selected as the technical member of Jaguar Project Team in UK. As Director of Jaguar and Mirage cell at Air HQ, the Air Officer performed creditably in ensuring timely setting up of support facilities for new aircraft at three AF Wings. He was later appointed as Air Officer Commanding of largest Repair and Overhaul Base, where due to his meticulous planning and foresight, he set up the new facilities and test beds for the overhauling of newly inducted aircraft and aeroengines. On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS) at Air HQ, responsible for supporting Indo-Western fleet. He was a member of the Ministry of Defence team which negotiated with Rolls Royce and obtained over Rs.80 crores in foreign exchange as damages.

On promotion to Air Marshal, the Air Officer was appointed Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of Maintenance Command (MC). He vigorously pursued the IAF's short and long term maintenance targets. On being appointed AOC-in-C, MC, in July 1993, Air Marshal R Ramamurthy has brought to bear his wide ranging field and staff experience to initiate fresh impetus to the on-going process of technological update of maintenance practices of the IAF.

Air Marshal Rajamani Ramamurthy, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal MK Anand, VM was commissioned in the IAF on 17 Mar 58, During his distinguished career spanning of 37 years, the Air Officer acquitted himself commendably in a wide array of challenging assignments which include Chief Personnel Staff Officer of two Commands, Director of Organisation, Director of Personnel Airmen and Senior Officer Administration of South Western Air Command (SOA, SWAC.),

Air Marshal Anand commenced his career on an admirable note as Para Jumping Instructor and has many firsts to his credit. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1974 for his pioneering role in para trooping in high altitude areas .

An alumnus of national Defence College, Air Marshal Anand while serving as SOA, SWAC, diligently planned and improved upon the infrastructure to increase the operational potential of the Command as well as working and living environment of all field units. He ensured timely completion of projects thereby eliminating cost and time overruns.

The Air Officer was appointed Air Officer incharge Administration at Air HQ on 13 Jul 92. The Air Officer undertook a number of progressive actions in planning and execution of works services and administration of Non Public Funds and IAF Schools. He has taken effective steps to improve the state of discipline by laying emphasis on preventive measures and timely administration of justice. Air Marshal Anand has been responsible for introduction and improvement of a large number of welfare programmes to improve the quality of life, namely, increasing the satisfaction level and availability of married accommodation and improving medical facilities for serving and retired personnel.

Air Marshal MK Anand, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal SN Rathour, AVSM, VM was commissioned, as a Navigator on 19 Dec 58. He has held highest transport category on four types of aircraft and was selected for training in USSR on IL-14 and AN-12 aircraft. He was awarded VM for distinction in flying in Jan 74.

During his distinguished service spanning 37 years, the Air Officer has held many key field and staff appointments. He has commanded three Air Force Stations and was specially selected to train the Air Force Officers of a friendly country. For his distinguished service of exceptional order, he was awarded AVSM on 26 Jan 88.

The Air Officer was appointed President of Air Force Selection Board at Dehradun for 3 years where about 5000 candidates were interviewed and screened every year for selection as officers to various Branches of IAF. He was also appointed DG Resettlement and later held with distinction the appointment of Senior Officer in-charge Administration at HQ Central Air Command and HQ Western Air Command.

An alumnus of National Defence College, the Air Officer, on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, was appointed Air Officer incharge Personnel at Air HQ in Jan 94. The Air Officer showed a remarkable ability to produce man-machine interface which is so vital to a military service. The Air Officer with his vast knowledge, experience, acumen and finely developed managerial skills, very ably carried the gamut of perspective planning or personnel towards designing Human Resources Development Systems for the futuristic Air Force. These policies on implementation are bound to serve towards betterment of operational preparedness of the IAF.

Air Marshal Shiv Nath Rathour, AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Janak Kapur, VSM was commissioned as a pilot on 19 Dec 58. The Air Officer's potential as a fighter pilot was recognised within a short period of his commissioning and he was chosen to undergo Pilot Attack Instructor and Instrument Rating Instructor's Courses in quick succession. He was selected to undergo the Air Staff Course at Royal Air Force Staff College, UK. He also served as Air Attaché in the Indian Embassy at Cairo, Egypt. For his distinguished service, he was awarded VSM in 1976.

During his long service career the Air Officer has served in many prestigious and prominent command and staff appointments. He has commanded a frontline fighter squadron with distinction. He was appointed Chief Operations Officer of the then newly established Jaguar Base and later took over as Air Officer Commanding of the same base. He has held the sensitive appointments of Director of Flight Safety and later Air I of HQ South Western Air Command.

The Air Officer was appointed Senior Air and Administrative Staff Officer of HQ Maintenance Command for more than three years. Thereafter, he took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of Western Air Command in Oct 93 and very gainfully applied his vast experience to improve operational environment and the state of preparedness of the forces in Command.

A graduate of the prestigious National Defence College, Air Mshl Janak Kapur was appointed Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command (EAC) on 01 Feb 95. EAC is a unique Command with dual role on fighter as well as Air Transport aircraft. Within a very short time, the Air Officer was able to appreciate the priorities of the Govt. and dovetail them with the Command Plans.

Air Marshal Janak Kapur, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal DR Nadkarni, AVSM, VM was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 19 Dec 58. He was selected as member of lAF's first nine aircraft (ac) formation aerobatics team in 1961. In later years, the team was named 'Thunderbolts'. He qualified as a Pilot Attack Instructor in 1964 and as Instrument Rating instructor in 1967. He was specially selected to be posted to the first MiG-21 Squadron (Sqn) of the IAF and later as an Air Force Examiner at the Aircrew Examining Board. For exceptional devotion to duty, he was awarded VM in 1970. During 1971 IndoPak war the Air Officer was attached to elite unit TACDE (Tactics & Combat Development Establishment) to be a part of a nucleus of highly experienced pilots to carry out special operations by day and night.

The Air Officer Commanded a frontline MiG-21 Sqn and was selected to go to UK for training on Jaguar ac. He commanded the first Jaguar Sqn of the IAF and successfully oversaw the induction of new ac in a planned manner. He was awarded AVSM in 1982 for distinguished service of an exceptional order.

The Air Officer was specially selected for the course at Royal College of Defence Studies, UK and on his return was appointed Air Officer Commanding of a major frontline fighter base. On completion of command he was appointed Air Assistant to the CAS in 1987. On promotion to the rank of AVM, he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations). Air Marshal Nadkarni took over as Inspection General (IG) of IAF in Jul 94. It was his perceptive vision of compelling necessity to institute safety measures guaranteed to produce long term and lasting gains that a realistic appraisal was made and the present target for the entire decade was set. This raised the IAF's horizons from concerns about immediate gains to that of accident reduction and prevention of a more lasting nature over a long term.

Air Marshal DR Nadkarni, AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal MC Uthaya was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) branch of IAF on 24 Nov 58. During his long and distinguished service career, the Air Officer has held various key field and staff appointments such as Air Officer Commanding of a signal unit, Directorate of Plan ADGES (Air Defence Ground Environment System) and Chief Programme Director ASWAC (Aerospace Warning and Control). He has also been an alumnus of the National Defence College. The Air Officer has been Staff Officer responsible for all technical maintenance at HQ Training Command and HQ Western Air Command. Subsequently he took over as Director General RCPO (Radar and Communication Project Organisation) responsible for system engineering and installation of Radar and Tropo communication links throughout the IAF as part of ADGES plan.

The Air Officer was appointed Air Officer incharge Maintenance at Air HQ on 01 Feb 94. Despite two major constraints, namely, depleted funds availability due to financial crunch and declining product support from the erstwhile Soviet Union, the Air officer effectively handled the maintenance management of IAF to keep up its operational preparedness. Air Marshal Uthaya with his technical acumen and administrative ability braved the challenge to ensure that the operational requirements were not unduly impaired or adversely affected. A number of projects to expedite indigenisation effort have been initiated under his watchful eyes and the successful implementation of these would greatly help tide over the crisis situation created by shortages of many imported items.

Air Marshal MC Uthaya has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal SR Deshpande, AVSM, VM was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 28 May 59. He has had the distinction of commanding a premier fighter Squadron and two operational fighter bases. The Air Officer is a qualified Pilot Attack Instructor and Fighter Combat Leader. He has served as an AF examiner in Aircrew Examining Board and as a directing staff in Tactics and Combat Development Establishment. An MA in Sociology, he is an alumni of Defence Services Staff College, National Defence College and College of Defence Management. His vast reservoir of knowledge, professionalism and ability to interact were amply displayed during his diplomatic assignment as Air Attaché in Embassy of India at Islamabad, Pakistan. He has also held important appointments of Director of Personnel Officers at Air HQ and Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ South Western Air Command. The Air Officer was awarded VM in 1976 and AVSM in 1991. Air Marshal Deshpande was appointed Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on 02 Mar 94. He is responsible for Planning and establishing long term re-equipment of IAF. He has formulated various modernisation plans, namely, MiG upgradation, procurement of Electronic Warfare equipment and other force multipliers and put them on firm footing all within the budgetary allocations. His phenomenal flair to interact effectively with civil officers at the highest level has been the hall mark of his professional excellence. He has left an indelible imprint in all the appointments he has held during his career spanning 36 years.

Air Marshal SR Deshpande, AVSM, VM has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Bharat Kumar, AVSM was commissioned as Fighter Pilot on 19 Dec 59. He is a Fighter Combat Leader and has flown practically all-fighter aircraft presently on the inventory of the IAF including Mirage 2000 and MiG-29. He actively participated in IndoPak conflicts of 1965 and 1971. The Air Officer has commanded with distinction a premier fighter squadron and two operational fighter bases including Air Force Station Gwalior, where Mirage 2000 aircraft are based. He was awarded AVSM in 1984. A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, the Air Officer is one of the very few Indian officers who have undergone General Staff Course at Vorshilov General Staff Academy, Moscow. He has held many staff assignments both at Command and Air HQ and in these appointments, his performance has been creditable. The more noteworthy of these appointments have been as Director Plans and Director Operations (Aircraft Induction) at Air Headquarters, during which most of the modern aircraft in the inventory of the IAF were smoothly inducted into the IAF. On promotion to the rank of Air Mshl, he successfully held the appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command wherein he provided fresh impetus to the operational plans, their modes of implementation and training for the same. The Air Officer presently holds the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command. In this appointment he brings to bear his vast operational and staff experience in enhancing the capabilities of operational preparedness of this Command.

Air Marshal Bharat Kumar, AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal AY Tipnis, AVSM, VM was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 28 May 60. He has held several key field and staff appointments in his long and distinguished career. A pilot attack instructor and a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, he has commanded a fighter squadron and was the leader of the Mirage project team in France. He was awarded VM in 1980. On return from France he was appointed the Air Officer Commanding of the Mirage-2000 Base. An alumnus of the National Defence College he has held the staff appointments of Joint Director and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Inspection) at Air Headquarters. A year later he was appointed the Air Officer Commanding Jammu and Kashmir and was awarded AVSM in 1994.

The Air Officer holds the unique distinction of serving as the Senior Air Staff Officer of two operational commands, Eastern Air Command and Western Air Command. He took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command on 01 Aug 95. As Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, despite the existing monetary, equipment and manpower crunch, through a rational reallocation of the available resources he has successfully enhanced the operational preparedness of the largest Operational Command of the Indian Air Force. He flew the Mi-26 on its first landing at the treacherous Dalhousie helipad, flew the AN-32 on its first landing at Leh by night, and lead the fly-past on 26 Jan 96, thus leading by example and making valuable contribution in maintaining a high state of morale amongst the personnel.

Air Marshal AY Tipnis, AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal KB Singh, AVSM, VM, VSM was commissioned on 26 May 1960 as a Fighter Pilot. He has 4000 hours accident free flying to his credit. He was awarded VSM in 1972. The Air Officer was awarded VM in 1974 for flying a glider cross-country of 300 Km. He has held the appointments of Director General of Air Force Naval Housing Board and Director of Personnel (Officers) at Air HQ. For distinguished service he was awarded AVSM in 1994. For his long and intimate association with flying training, he was appointed the first Commodore Commandant of the Flying Instructors School. He took over as Air Officer Commanding-inChief of Training Command on 01 June 1995.

Air Marshal KB Singh has introduced new flying training patterns for more efficient and cost effective training of pilots. He was instrumental in analysing the problems connected with maintenance of HPT-32 trainer aircraft and initiating remedial measures. During the calendar year 95, there were a total of 10 aircraft accidents in Training Command. With his perseverance and managerial skills, he made immense contributions to the cause of flight safety by ensuring accident free flying during the year 1996. Under his dynamic leadership, the Commanders and supervisors have displayed a greater sense of commitment and dedication and enhanced the quality and standard of Training. With his vision and management of resources, the infrastructure at the training institutions have been vastly improved resulting in greater degree of comfort in working and living conditions for personnel.

Air Mshl KB Singh has been entrusted with a major portion of the task of conducting the International Air Show, Aero-India 96, at Yelahanka. He is also responsible for raising a new Formation Aerobatics Team “Surya Kiran" in Training Command to project the image and enhance the prestige of the Indian Air Force.

Air Mshl KB Singh, AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal R Bajpai, AVSM was commissioned in the Engineering Branch on 20 Jun 1960. He holds an MSc. Degree in Physics, M Tech in Radar Technology and was awarded Ph D by IIT Delhi in 1995 for his work on “Electronic Warfare'. He is an alumnus of the National Defence College. He was awarded AVSM in 1995.

He has held many prestigious field and staff appointments. As Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, HQ Maintenance Command, with his innovative approach and thrust on indigenisation, computerisation and rationalisation, he achieved phenomenal growth in every aspect of production and maintenance activity while effecting savings in manpower, money and material.

In his present appointment as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, under his overall direction, supervision and control, he has ensured successful indigenous development of repair, life extension and overhaul technologies for aircraft, aggregates and other radar and communication equipment. The first AN-32 and MiG-23 BN aircraft overhauled with indigenous technology have already joined the operational fleets. Besides savings in crores of rupees in foreign exchange and downtime of the aircraft, he has provided the nation with much needed self reliance. These extraordinary achievements could be possible because of his sound professional background, administrative and managerial skill and total dedication.

Air Marshal R Bajpai, AVSM has thus rendered distinguished services of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal TRJ Osman, AVSM was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 15 Dec 60. A Pilot Attack Instructor, he has varied flying experience on different types of fighter aircraft and has actively participated in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars. He commanded two front-line squadrons. During his tenure as the Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Jamnagar, he ensured very high operational standards which resulted in the station winning the Best Base and Flight Safety awards. For distinguished service rendered, he was awarded AVSM in 1990. He has held the key appointments of Director Offensive Operations, Air Defence Commander HQ South Western Air Command, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Inspection) and Senior Air Staff Officer HQ Eastern Air Command. He is a graduate of the Command and Staff College, Bracknell, UK and the National Defence College. Air Mshl TRJ Osman was appointed as the Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) on 01 Jan 96. On taking over he has carried out a complete analytical review of the IAF's flying training system and thereafter formulated and executed a comprehensive reorganization and modernization plan.

As VCAS, Air Mshl TRJ Osman has contributed significantly to the formulation and execution of air strategy and tactical concepts of the IAF. Drawing on his comprehensive operational experience Air Mshl TRJ Osman has instituted innovative operational measures that will greatly enhance the IAF's future operational status and capability. His dedication to achievement of clearly defined service goals has inspired his entire Branch with a sense of mission. Air Mshl TRJ Osman has been actively involved in providing the impetus for the Fifth Pay Commission as the Principal Staff Officer in charge.

Air Mshl TRJ Osman AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal G Gururani, AVSM, VSM, was commissioned on 01 Dec 61 in the Engineering Branch. He has held the appointment of Chief Engineering Officer at AF Station Agra, Air Officer Commanding of a Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Chandigarh/Assistant Chief of Air Staff (ACAS), Air HQ and Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, HQ Maintenance Command (SMSO, HQ. MC). He was awarded VSM in 1983 and AVSM in 1993.

As ACAS, his dialogue with the original equipment manufacturers of Russia/CIS countries resulted in multifold improvement in supplies/repairs from Russia/CIS countries. During this tenure, he initiated life extension studies with the help of expertise available in the IAF, HAL and DRDO/CSIR labs. As a result life extension schedules were evolved and large scale withdrawals for overhaul in foreign countries were averted resulting in saving of large amount of foreign exchange.

As SMSO, HQ MC, he focused on self reliance and Indigenisation of spares by the repair depots. As Air Officer incharge Maintenance the Air Officer is continuing the thrust on self reliance. Servicing schedules of combat fleets are being revised to eliminate over servicing. Plans have been initiated for in-situ calibration by means of air transportable cabins fitted with calibration equipment. The thrust on procurement of maintenance supplies from original equipment manufacturers is continuing and the results are evident in the form of all round improvement in serviceability. A programme has been initiated to revise the logistics procedures and practices to bring them in line with present realities.

Air Marshal G Gururani, AVSM, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Prithvi Singh Brar AVSM & Bar VM was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in December, 1960. Since then he has held various flying and command appointments. His entire service has been marked with outstanding professionalism in every field of activity that he has been involved with. Throughout his distinguished career, he has always strived to set new standards in professional skill, dedication to duty and personal commitment. For his professional skill and leadership he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1981 and Ati Vishist Seva Medal in 1983. In 1989 he received Bar to AVSM for his dynamic leadership and sustained hard-work in commanding a base in the south western sector.

During his tenure as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command there has been remarkable all round improvements, not only in the operational capabilities of the various units under EAC, but also in the quality of life enjoyed by all personnel. One of the main tasks of the EAC is to undertake time bound training of budding fighter pilots prior to their induction into the front-line operational squadrons. In spite of manpower and other resource crunch, the pilot training has always been completed on time. Air Marshal Brar's innovative ideas and improved training programmes are the driving force behind this commendable achievement. His personal involvement in each and every aspect of command functions have resulted in many a innovations that have been implemented by other Commands in the IAF,

Air Marshal Prithvi Singh Brar AVSM & Bar VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Vinod Patney AVSM, VrC, was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 31 May 61. The officer is an outstanding pilot and took active part in 1965 and 1971 operations. He was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1996, Vir Chakra in 1965 and Mention-in-Despatches in 1971, by the President of India.

A graduate of RAF Staff College Bracknell, UK, Air Marshal Patney has held a variety of important operational and Staff appointments during his service career. He was specially selected to be part of the newly formed Career Planning Cell at Air HQ in 1973 and also as an Instructor at TACDE on its formation in 1976. He commanded a frontline fighter Squadron with credit and was selected for deputation abroad as an Instructor in 1980. He also has the distinction of having served as an Instructor at CAW and TACDE. As Chief Operations Officer of a prestigious fighter base and subsequently as an AOC of a premier fighter station he performed exceptionally well. He was also selected to be a founder member of Defence Planning Staff in 1987 followed by a tenure as an Air Adviser at High Commission of India in UK.

On promotion to the rank of AVM he was appointed as AOC J&K at a time when militancy in this strife torn state was at its peak. He acquitted himself creditably and performed a difficult task in adverse conditions with his outstanding skill and ingenuity. He was thereafter appointed Air Defence Commander at HQ WAC which was followed by an appointment as Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command, in the rank of Air Marshal.

Air Marshal Patney has the rare distinction of being AOC-in-C of two operational Commands of the IAF. He held the appointment of AOC-in-C, Central Air Command from 01 Jul 96 to 31 Mar 97 and on 01 Apr 97 he took over the reins of Western Air Command, which is the premier operational command of the IAF. As AOC-in-C of these two operational Commands of the IAF he has strived hard relentlessly to improve work culture, morale and motivation and operational preparedness of both the Commands. With his innovative skill and conceptual foresight he has introduced the concept of self help approach in almost all aspects of operations, maintenance and administration which has resulted in large savings to the exchequer by utilising untapped human and infrastructural resources available within the Command. He has been instrumental in initiating a series of major drives for clearance of vegetation at all airfields to reduce accidents due to bird strikes, beautification of technical and domestic areas at all stations, improving the quality of output by the MES and most important of all improving the quality of life of Air Force personnel specially at remote and difficult stations. Air Marshal Patney in a short time has given a tremendous impetus to the overall operational potential of Western Air command and has brought about a sea change in its operational preparedness state.

Air Marshal Vinod Patney AVSM, VrC has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal MS Vasudeva was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 31st May, 1961. During his long and distinguished career he has held a number of important command and staff appointments which include command of a large and active air base in the Eastern Sector, Addl Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) at Air HQ, Air Defence Commander at both Western Air Command and South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at the Central Air Command.

During the Indian Peace Keeping Operation in Sri Lanka (IPKF), the Air Marshal was appointed as the AOC, with the overall responsibility for planning and execution of all Air Operations in support of the IPKF, For 'Distinguished Service of Exceptional Order' in Sri Lanka, the Air Marshal was awarded the Presidential award of 'Uttam Yudh Seva Medal'.

A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington the Air Officer has held various staff appointments and has displayed remarkable clarity in thought and reasoning in modifying the Air Defence Philosophy while functioning as the Air Defence Commander in the Western and South Western Sector.

As the Deputy Chief of Air Staff he had overall responsibility of long term planning including the force structure planning of the Indian Air Force; laying down qualitative requirements for acquisition of all future equipment viz Aircraft, radars, weapons etc and testing of such systems for the future induction into the Air Force. Bulk of the work done by the Air Officer during this tenure remains on the highly classified list. However, his service to the Air Force specially in the field of Perspective Planning both in force structure planning and financial planning keeping in mind the realistic approach to operational needs of the IAF have gone a long way in enhancing the operational preparedness and capability of the IAF.

Air Marshal MS Vasudeva UYSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy is currently serving as the AOC-In-C of Central Air Command. He was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Dec 61. He is a highly qualified professional and has held many important field and staff appointments that include Deputy Air Adviser in London, AOC of a fighter base, DASR and ACAS (Plans) in Air HQ, SASO of an Operational Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. During the long 36 years service, he worked tirelessly toward, enriching the Air Force with his professional acumen, sincerity and devotion.

Air Marshal Krishnaswamy is operational on a variety of aircraft including the Mirage2000. He flew the Gnat during the 1965 war and earned Mention-in-Despatches. Later he qualified to become a test pilot and a Fighter Combat Leader. He made immense contribution as a test pilot in developing the Ajeet and HF-24 aircraft and indigenous weapon systems and has captained near about 35 varieties of aircraft and helicopters. He evaluated the Mirage-2000 and the SU-30 before their induction in Service. In the operational field, he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal for his contribution while in the staff of TACDE and a Bar to VM for display of professionalism and leadership while in command of the first Electronic Warfare squadron of the IAF.

During his tenure as DASR and ACAS (Plans) at Air HQ he made significant contribution to the development of Light Combat Aircraft and Advanced Light Helicopter as a member of the Technical Committee and Special Review Committees. As the ACAS (Plans) and later as the DCAS, he led the activities towards casting the Air Force modernisation programme and initiated important acquisitions and aircraft upgrades. He was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for his contribution in 1996.

Considering his vast knowledge and experience in the field of aviation, the officer was often called upon to participate in trials and review of many important programmes. He undertook flight testing on combat aircraft even while on staff appointment. In his higher appointments as SASO and AOC-in-C, Air Marshal Krishnaswamy directed his vision towards enhancing the combat worthiness of the Indian Air Force, development of human resource and improving the quality of life. He supervised and conducted Air Force exercises and demonstrations in an exemplary manner. He reviewed and optimised training schedules and facilities at operational bases towards enhancing safety and efficiency.

Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy AVSM, VM and Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Krishnan Narayanan Nair was commissioned on 19 Dec 61. He has to his credit over 7300 hours of accident free flying on various transport and trainer aircraft. He was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff in August 65 for having achieved more than 2175 hours of flying on Dakota aircraft in Ladakh and has logged over 2500 hours of instructional flying on various types of aircraft. His command tenures include 48 Squadron, Administrative Training Institute, Sambre, Air Force Station Agra and the prestigious Air Force Academy. He has held several senior key staff appointments in which he has served with high distinction. He is also the Commodore Commandant of 48 Squadron. For his distinguished services of an exceptional order he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 95. During his tenure as the Senior Air Staff Officer of Training Command, Air Marshal Nair played a key role in the formulation of the new pattern for training for the pilots of the Indian Air Force in Jan 96. His personal involvement and dedicated application were patently evident in the efficacious implementation of this training pattern leading to increased efficiency in training. Air Marshal Nair played an active role in the initial establishment and training of the aerobatic display team of the Indian Air Force, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team. It was also during this period that the Aero India 96 was held at Air Force Station Yelahanka under the overall control of Training Command. The meticulous planning and attention to detail which were instrumental in making this show an unqualified success have been in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force and earned kudos not only for the Indian Air Force but also for the Nation as a whole from the world aviation community.

Air Marshal Nair has been appointed as the AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command on 01 May 97. Since then he has spared no effort to give a new direction and thrust to the all round activities of the men under his command, both in the professional field and in the field of improvement in the quality of life.

The selfless and dedicated service rendered by Air Marshal Nair is worthy of emulation. He has displayed noteworthy skill in motivating his subordinates to perform to their potential for achieving the higher aims of the Service. He has shown exemplary skill in the management of resources at his Command for their optimal utilisation. Air Marshal Krishnan Narayanan Nair AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal VK Bhatia was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 26th May, 1962. During his long and distinguished career he has held a number of important command and staff appointments which include command of a fighter squadron, two sensitive and operational flying stations, Air-1 of an operational command, Deputy Director General in the Defence Planning Staff, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) at the Air HQ and Inspector General (Inspection & Safety),

An outstanding fighter pilot of repute, he participated in the Indo-Pak ware of 1965 and 1971. In both the wars, he flew a large numbers of missions deep inside the enemy territory, with good results. For his gallant conduct, he was awarded the Vir Chakra in 1965 and Bar to Vir Chakra in 1971 operations.

A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Royal College of Defence Studies, UK, the Air officer held several staff appointments with distinction. As the Air-1 of Eastern Air Command, he brought his varied experience to bear on the conduct of a large number of command level exercises successfully. As Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station SRINAGAR from 19901991 (a period of peak militancy in J&K), he provided inspired leadership and matching resources to ensure peak operational preparedness of his station and high morale of personnel placed under him. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1992.

As Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) at Air HQ, Air Officer displayed remarkable clarity of thought and reasoning in modifying the philosophy of air warfare, He brought about a number of innovative improvements which significantly enhanced the lAF's operational potential.

As Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command, the Air Officer's contribution include achieving laid down targets of air drops in forward areas as well as enhancing the operational preparedness of the front line fighter squadrons in the command. He activated Tilpat Range after a long gap and led the fly-past on 08 Oct 96, thus leading by example.

Air Marshal VK Bhatia AVSM, VrC & Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal JS Rai VM & Bar was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force on 26 May 1962 as a transport pilot. He has over 10,800 hours of flying on various types of aircraft and helicopters on the inventory of the Indian Air Force.

Air Marshal JS Rai, as a young officer, served for long in the valleys of NEFA, flying Otters and Dakotas. Thereafter, he became a Qualified Flying Instructor and has since then trained numerous trainees to graduate as aviators in the Indian Air Force. During his last stint on Instructional assignments, he has also held appointments of Flight Commander and Chief Instructor of Training Establishments. His staff appointments include Inspector at Directorate of Air Staff Inspections and Director of Operations (Transport and Helicopters) at Air Headquarters. He has also served as Senior Air Staff Officer at HQs Southern Air Command and Training Command. For his long and intimate association with operational flying, he has been appointed Commodore Commandant of No. 59 Squadron, Air Force in Nov 1991. He is an alumni of National Defence College.

For Command appointments, the Air Marshal has commanded 2209 Missile Squadron, Air Force Station, Suryalanka, No. 49 Squadron and Air Force Station, Yelahanka. Prior to his appointment as Senior Air Staff Officer at Training Command, he held the appointment of Commandant of National Defence Academy. He took over as Air Officer Commanding-inChief of Training Command, IAF on 01 Jan 1998. Air Marshal JS Rai has introduced new flying pattern for more efficient and cost-effective training of pilots. He has been instrumental in analysing critical problems connected with maintenance of HPT-32 aircraft and in initiating remedial measures in consultation with various DRDO organizations to restore confidence of the Instructors and trainees in the aircraft. Under his able and dynamic leadership, the Commanders and Supervisors in the field have displayed a greater sense of commitment and dedication resulting in better flying environment and highest standard of training. His imaginative management of resources has caused the infrastructure at the training institutions as also living conditions for personnel to greatly improve.

Air Marshal JS Rai VM & Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Darshan Singh Basra AVSM VM was commissioned as a fighter pilot in May 1962. In 36 years of distinguished service he has held several important Command and Staff appointments. That his service was of exceptional order was recognised by the award of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal to him. He is a graduate of Military College, Paris, a Pilot Armament Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. He was one of the founder members of the prestigious TACDE. In the Indo-Pak war of 1971 he successfully undertook night strike operations deep inside enemy territory. His accurate night attacks at Sargodha airfield, famous for its fortress like defences, are still quoted in aviation circle for fearlessness and cool professionalism.

He has the distinction of commanding fighter Squadron twice (Gnat and MiG-21). Both his tenures recorded Nil accident rate. Air Force Station, Bareilly - a major fighter base not only peaked operationally under his command but also saw introduction of local purchase procedures which led to huge saving and better utilisation of funds. His vast experience and knowledge resulted in a much better Inter Service Co-operation when he was Air Officer Commanding Advance HQ WAC.

As SASO Eastern Air Command, his acute analysis and sound recommendations led the Air Force to introduce Type Training Instructors for MOFT Units and an improved syllabus for training. These measures have resulted in a qualify improvement of pilot training.

It is extremely difficult to detect an aircraft in mountainous region due to limitations of radars. When Intelligence Reports indicated that insurgent groups in East would resort to air drop of weapons, he successfully evolved procedures to detect and thwart such schemes within the existing resources. His wide field experience, broad knowledge base and outstanding resolve to use resources efficiently led to an optimum utilization of the transport fleet in EAC.

He took over as SASO, Western Air Command in Mar 98. In a short span he has set into motion a variety of measures aimed at sharpening the fighting edge of the most important command of the IAF. These are all expected to fructify shortly.

Air Marshal Darshan Singh Basra AVSM VM (6519) Flying (Pilot) has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Vinod Kumar Verma AVSM VM was commissioned in Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot on 26 May 1962. In 36 years of his distinguished service career he has had the distinction of Commanding a premier Fighter Squadron and subsequently an Operational Fighter Base. He has flown various types of front line fighter aircraft, which include Jaguar, MiG-29 and Mirage-2000. The Air officer is a Graduate of the National Defence College and has held a number of Command and Staff Appointments. He was one of the founder members of the prestigious Tactical Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) where he has served as Commandant. He was Air Advisor at the Indian High Commission in UK. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1965 Indo-Pak conflict and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1989 for his distinguished services.

His vast reservoir of knowledge and professionalism were amply displayed during his staff tenures as Director Offensive Ops and Director Personnel Officers as well as during the diplomatic assignment at UK.

Air Mshl VK Verma was appointed Air Officer In Charge Personnel in Apr 96. He is responsible for all aspects of Personnel Planning, Induction, Training and Education. He has discharged all these functions with distinction. He took over as chairman of the Principal Personnel Officers Committee (PPOC) in Mar 98 and has been responsible for coordinating action on all Inter Service/ Tri Service issues.

Air Mshl VK Verma AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal DC Dhyanl AVSM VSM was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the 1AF on 23 Jun 62. In a career spanning over 36 years, he has distinguished himself and brought laurels to the organisation through his professionalism, sincerity and unimpeachable integrity.

He has held a large number of prestigious field and staff appointments in his rise to the highest post in Administrative Branch. In every appointment he has left an indelible stamp of excellence through his thorough appreciation of the nuances of the tasks at hand and his vision towards qualitative upgradation of the areas under his control. The Air Officer was the recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal in 1985 for professional excellence and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1997 for the distinguished services of a very high order. As Air Officer in charge Administration for nearly three years, he has brought in work ethos that has seen various aspects of Administration to come through with timely and effective actions. His tenure has seen significant impetus to genuine and long term welfare measures that have won the accolades of the recipients across the entire strata of personnel and families. Recognising the serious situation with regard to married accommodation, the Air Officer was instrumental in shifting the emphasis of new works to Married Accommodation. Considerable progress has already been achieved. The new Group Insurance Scheme, the Medical Insurance Scheme, enhancement in Housing and Vehicle loans, introduction of loans to purchase Computers and many other innovative welfare measures have fructified under his tutelage. In the field of Adventure sports, his encouragement and involvement saw the IAF winning a place in the International arena and today our contribution to Adventure sports is acknowledged not only in India but also in the world. In every facet of Administration, whether in support of operations, welfare, discipline, security or financial management his wholesome involvement and guidance are distinctly visible.

Air Marshal DC Dhyanl AVSM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Velayudhan Girish Kumar AVSM VM is on the posted strength of the Directorate General of Defence Planning Staff, Chiefs of Staff Committee, Ministry of Defence since 02 Jun 97.

He has over 8000 hours of flying to his credit. He has held many key Command, Staff and Instructional appointments in the IAF. In his present appointment as Director General of the Defence Planning Staff he heads the highest level inter-services organisation in the country providing forecasts and analysis on issues of utmost importance to the nation and the armed forces. In this regard, he has carried out several incisive studies, including forecast of the future Indo-US security concerns and a prognosis of the economic and military trends in a neighbouring country. These analyses have proved to be extraordinarily accurate in the light of events that have unfolded over the past year.

He has formulated policy imperatives governing strategic weapons and their command and control. He has also examined indepth the higher defence organisation of the country which has been well received at the highest quarters.

While dealing with international relations, he has been projecting an excellent image of the armed force and the Government of India. He also hosted several foreign delegations on their visit to India and put across the rationale for India's foreign policy and military posture very effectively.

As regards inter-services issues, Air Marshal Kumar has played an extremely effective role in promoting jointness in the Services with respect to operational, fiscal, equipment and personnel policies. In this context, he was instrumental in formulating the Ninth Defence Plan in a manner acceptable to the three Services and the Government. As an Advisor to the Chiefs of Staff Committee, he has provided valuable insights and recommendations to resolve major issues affecting the three Services, including measures to optimize scarce resources available to the armed forces.

Air Marshal Velayudhan Girish Kumar AVSM VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the highest order.

Air Marshal Shanti Swaroop Gupta AVSM VSM took over as the Air Officer Commandingin-Chief of Maintenance Command on 01 Aug 97. Within a short span of time after taking over, with his dynamism and vision, he transformed the entire work culture of Maintenance Command. All the BRDs and Equipment Depots have been connected to Command HQ through modems. Exchange of information about the inventory, which runs into several lakhs, is now being done on computers. Similarly, the information on items which have been indigenised was compiled from various agencies and the Command now has records of more than 1.7 lakhs such items. Establishment of a huge data base and quick transfer of information has been of immense help in executive decision making. This resulted in reduction of inventory levels and a large inventory which was non-moving started moving. Effective utilisation of procurement powers in respect of decentralised ranges consisting of HPT32, Kiran, Dornier aircraft, Cheetah/Chetak helicopters, Clothing and MT, has resulted in reduction of stock holdings and cash out flows annually, besides ensuring high level of availability of items.

A cell was formed at HQ Maintenance Command for monitoring and reducing the outstanding AOGs. This Cell has made very significant achievements, as the complete procedures for meeting the AOG demands were revised and streamlined. A regular feed back is now given to operational commands on the status of their outstanding demands. Concept of Base Repair Depot acting as Mother Depot has been implemented in letter and spirit.

A number of studies were carried out under the guidance of Air Mshl Gupta which have resulted in savings amounting to millions of dollars which otherwise would have had to be paid to the foreign vendors. These include studies on life extension of AN-32 and MiG-29 aircraft indigenously.

Since import of spares from abroad is becoming costlier and also in some cases these items were not available, he launched a major drive for indigenization of spares. This programme included holding of seminars and exhibitions with the help of Confederation of Indian Industries to encourage the entrepreneurs to meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force indigenously. He also undertook programmes for modernization of infrastructure at the BRDs, so that many of the sample spares required could be manufactured at the Depots. As a result of these measures more than one thousand items our of approximately 2000 required for overhaul of bare airframe of MiG-29 aircraft have been indigenized.

Air Marshal Shanti Swaroop Gupta AVSM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Pran Nath Bajaj AVSM (6392) AE (M) was commissioned on 01 Dec 1961 in the Engineering Branch of the IAF. In a career spanning 38 years, the officer has served with distinction at various operational units, Base Repair Depots and in DRDO. He served as Senior Maintenance Staff Officer (SMSO) at HQ Western Air Command and HQ Maintenance Command and as ACAS Eng B at Air HQs. During the years 1990-91he commanded the Air Force Technical College and Air Force Station Jalahalli, one of the largest station in the IAF. In 1970-71, he completed his post graduation studies from Indian Institute of Science with highest possible grades. He is the alumnus of National Defence College and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

He did pioneering work at Base Repair Depots in the field of Operation Research relating to problem of production lines, resulting in smooth flow of output and enhanced product ion. As SMSO of Western Air Command he reworked in the War Maintenance plans and instructions to make them more responsive to the needs of the Operation plan. For these efforts and other achievements in the filed of aircraft serviceability and availability, institution of a large number of maintenance safety measures and efficient logistics management, he was awarded the Ati Vishist Seva Medal in the year 1996.

As SMSO Maintenance Command during the years 1995-97, his scientific approach to production planning and effective organizational skills were mainly responsible for BRDs to meeting their enhanced task without additional manpower resources. He effectively supervised the various studies on calendar life extension of various aircraft, which resulted in extending their operational 1ife.

Presently as Director General, Radar & Communications project Office, he has introduced many conceptual level organisational and procedural changes to ensure effective project Management. A mechanism for effective interaction with the user, suppliers and other related agencies has also been put in place. These have led to better achievement of project objectives within the constraints of resources and, time frames.

Air Marshal Pran Nath Bajaj AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.