Throughout his tenure as A.O.C. No. 1 Group controlling operations in Jammu & Kashmir, Air Commander Mehar Singh displayed great devotion to duty at personal risks and set an example to those serving under him. He was the first pilot to land an aircraft at the emergency landing ground at Poonch and at Leh. These tasks were not part of his duty but in view of the fact that these were hazardous tasks, he was first to carry them out to give confidence to his junior pilots.

Wing Commander Minoo Merwan Engineer was commissioned as General Duties (Pilot) in the Royal Indian Air Force on 1 August 1940. He was an experienced pilot flying Hurricane fighters in World War II for which he was awarded the DFC in 1945.

During Jammu & Kashmir Operations 1947-48, Wing Commander Engineer actively participated in air activity in Kashmir for nearly a year. Under his able guidance the enemy was hit hard on a number of occasions at Kishanganga Bridge, Skardu and Gilgit. During the capture of Gurais the Air Force extended very effective support to the land forces. This was largely due to the drive and initiative shown by Wing Commander Engineer in planning and directing the air operations.

Wing Commander Engineer was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for exceptional gallantry and leadership.

By completing more than 37 operational sorties over enemy’s strong holds in close support of the Indian Army, Wing Commander Norohna has been showing outstanding gallantry. He carried out his Squadron’s offensive role with maximum success in the face of adverse conditions.

He has been an outstanding leader both in air and on ground. His brilliant leadership, fearless determination and unswerving devotion to duty have set an inspiring example to all under his command.

Wing Commander Hrushikesh Moolgavkar commanded No.1 Operational Wing of the IAF in Kashmir from September 1948 to May 1949. Inspite of having to plan out as well as conduct operations from both Jammu and Srinagar, this officer made time to take the air whenver the more difficult and dangerous commitments had to be carried out.

In these tasks, he showed great leadership, by his selfless devotion to duty and fearless readiness for offensive action against the enemy. This leaer inspried great confidence in his Squadron commanders and pilots.

The air attack on the well defended Domel Bridge and the Uri and Saadabad sectors was led and directed by Wing Commander Moolgavkar personally. When the defences around Uri presented severe obstacles in the way of operational flight on that area, he evolved a plan and attacked the Uri guns in conjuction with one of his Squadron Commanders. This attack not only exposed them to the fire of the anti-aircraft guns but also brought him within the dangerous probability of their aircraft entering the 'Compressibility Zones' with a risky load of bombs at high altitudes.

The final link-ups with Poonch, Kargil and Leh were established during the period he was in command of No.1 Operational Wing. The effective support that the IAF was able to render the Army during these operations was in no small measure due to his determination, initiative and drive in planning and coordinating the offensive to success.

Wing Commander William MacDonald Goodman was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as General Duties (Pilot) on I April 1949.

On I September 1965, Pakistan launched a strong armour attack in the Chhamb sector with a view to cut the Indian communication lines to Kashmir. This posed a great threat to Indian security. Wing Commander Goodman, commanding No.31 Squadron flying the Mystere IVa fighter bombers at Pathankot, was entrusted with the task of destroying enemy tanks and troop concentrations in the Chhamb sector.

The squadron immediately went into action and blunted the enemy offensive by destroying his tanks and armoured vehicles. Between 2 and 8 September, the squadron undertook many reconnaissance and ground attack missions in the area. These included rocketing of tank concentrations at Troti and Chhamb and strafing of enemy positions at Jaurian.

On 9 September the Squadron did the more commendable work. A photo recce and strike mission was undertaken between Kasur and Raiwind by two aircraft. They attacked a train carrying tanks and destroyed twenty of them. This was followed by an attack on a tank and heavy gun concentration at Chawinda. Many of these reconnaissance and ground attack missions were led by Wing Commander Goodman himself in the face of heavy air and ground opposition. He was a source of inspiration to all ranks under his command. Under his guidance the Squadron maintained a very high standard of serviceability which contributed to a number if successful strikes on enemy positions. Wing Commander Goodman was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for conspicuous gallantry, leadership and professional skill.

During the Indo-Pak War 1965, Wing Commander Prem Pal Singh commanded No. 5 "Tuskers" Squadron, stationed at Agra. The unit equipped with the Canberra bomber, was assigned the triple task of tactical bombing, close support and armed patrolling. Under his able guidance the squadron carried out tactical bombing of various targets to destroy the Pakistan Air Force on the ground. Led by Wing Commander Prem Pal Singh himself, Pak army camp east of Gujarat and airfields at Chaklala, Dab, Murid, Akwal, Risalwala, Wagowal, Sargodha and Peshawar were successfully attacked by his bombers.

The squadron gave close support to the army in Kasur, Khem Karan, Pasrur, Chawinda and Sialkot sectors. Bombs were dropped on the enemy concentrations at all these places. During the period of war the squadron undertook 39 sorties of armed patrolling over Agra, Palam, Ambala, Halwara and Adampur. Most of the operational missions over the enemy territory were carried out during the hours of darkness. The targets were identified in the moon-light. These dangerous operational sorties were undertaken in the face of heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire with exceptional courage and determination.

Wing Commander Prem Pal was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for displaying a high sense of duty and gallantry.

During the Indo-Pak War 1965, Squadron Leader Gautam was commanding the Jet Bomber Conversion Unit (JBCU) flying Canberra bombers at Agra. On the outbreak of the hostilities he was assigned many difficult and dangerous missions into enemy territory at short notice. He undertook six offensive, tactical and close support missions deep into enemy territory between 6 and 21 September 1965, notwithstanding the heavy ground fire and Pak Sabre jet attacks.

These missions included reconnaissance into enemy territory, bombing of Akwal and Gujarat airfields and strafing of enemy concentrations in Gujarat and Chawinda areas. For displaying exceptional courage, determination and devotion to duty he was decorated with Maha Vir Chakra.

On 7th September 1965, Sqn Ldr Devayya was a part of a formation of aircraft on a strike mission to Sargodha Airfield in Pakistan. He was the last aircraft of the mission to finish the attack and as he was turning away he was intercepted by an enemy F-104 Starfighter aircraft. After Sqn Ldr Devayya successfully evaded the missiles launched by the enemy aircraft, his attacker , flying a faster aircraft caught up with him and fired his guns damaging Sqn Ldr Devayya's aircraft.

Sqn Ldr Devayya, displaying true fighting spirit opted for aircombat with the superior enemy aircraft and shot down the attacker. In the process, he made the supreme sacrifice as he probably crashed or was killed.

For showing conspicuous gallantry in putting the safety of his colleagues before his own, and In electing to get into an aerial combat with the F-104 even while his own aircraft was damaged, Squadron Leader Devayya displayed Valour of the highest order. Sqn Ldr Devayya was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra Posthumously. Till date the only instance of a Posthumous MVC to the Indian Air Force.