During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Sergeant Pacheeri Sivasankaran was serving as the Senior NonCommissioned Officer in charge of servicing party in a Fighter Bomber Squadron. On the 6th December, 1971, at about 1700 hours, when one of the aircraft had landed and switched off at the entrance of a blast pen, the airfield was attacked by enemy aircraft. Unmindful of his safety, he, with the help of some airmen, pushed the aircraft into the blast pen and thus saved a valuable aircraft. On the 7th December, 1971, when a pilot was strapped in the cockpit ready to take off, the air raid siren was sounded. In complete disregard to his safety, Sergeant Pacheeri Sivasankaran ensured that the aircraft started and taxied out.

In these actions, Sergeant Pacheeri Sivasankaran displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Srinivaspuram Krishna swamy served in Tactical and Air Combat Development Establishment for one year. During this period, he performed the duties of a Flight Commander and a staff pilot and conducted Fighter Combat Leaders' course. As Flight Commander, he carried out the difficult tusk of running the Daily Servicing Section, often working round the clock with a view to ensuring a high standard of performance. He used his professional knowledge as a test pilot to guide airmen/ technicians working under him and motivate them, by personal example, to work hard. It was because of his deep involvement with the maintenance activities of the Daily Servicing Section and also the Repair and Servicing Section, that the establishment was able to meet its commitments. In the air also, he was able to assist in the wide range of complicated operational flying tasks of the establishment. His contribution has not been confined to this establishment alone, he has often been called upon to carry out special test flights on such aircraft as had developed peculiar snags and were unsafe for flying even by experienced Squadron Pilots. Despite the hazards involved in such flights and considering that he is not employed on test flying duties, he has always accepted these commitments willingly and executed the flights ensuring maximum safe by both to the pilot and the aircraft. Because of his deep knowledge, he was asked to give special lectures on aerodynamics to all pilots, even at other bases and thus promoted among them a higher consciousness of flight safety.

Wing Commander Srinivaspuram Krishnaswamy has thus displayed high professional skill, competence and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.

Squadron Leader Michael McMohan was posted to tactics and Combat Development Training Establishment again in September, 1977. He had served in this establishment earlier during February 1973 to June, J975. In the later tenure, he was initially appointed as the Officer-in-charge Training where he implemented modifications in the Fighter Combat Leader training pattern with commendable results. In addition to the above charge, he took over as Officer-in-charge Development from January, 1978. The Establishment finalised Air Combat Tactics during that period and ensured completion of other development tasks allotted to the Establishment. Squadron Leader Michael McMohan was appointed as the Signal Unit Flight Commander in July 1978. During this tenure, he has ensured that despite the high risk exercises in the Establishment, the Flight Safety is maintained at its peak level.

Squadron Leader Michel McMohan has thus displayed professional skill and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.

Wing Commander Teja Mohan Asthana (7672) Flying (Pilot) has been on the posted strength of Tactics & Combat Development & Training Establishment, AF since 24 Oct 83. This is the second tenure of this Officer in this Establishment where he had spent over 2 years earlier. During this tenure he has held the portfolios of officer i/c Operations, Officer i/c Development and is currently the Deputy Commandant of the Establishment.

During his tenure as the Officer i/c Development he has been the guiding spirit behind the sudden surge of development activity that this Establishment has undertaken since mid 1984. This was indeed a very sorely needed fillip to the Establishment which had got so involved with training flying that Development work had virtually ground to a halt. The Air Force felt the need for new ideas and concepts from this Premier Establishment, and in Wg Cdr TM Asthana we found the man to match this need. His untiring efforts, long hours of hard work and total dedication to the job at hand lifted this Establishment out of the doldrums. He has an absolutely professional approach and the patience born of knowledge which is so vital towards development work. During his tenure as O i/c Development this Establishment has completed trials on a number of Air Combat and Ground Attack aspects of operations which have changed out basic ideas of Combat and applied them to real time situations. His attention to detail and thoroughness has ensured that all these ideas have gone out to the Air Force in clear unequivocal terms.

There is no doubt that Wg Cdr TM Asthana is the guiding spirit behind the sudden renaissance of development work in this Establishment. For his professionalism, keenness, dedication and sheer hard work, the President is pleased to award VAYU SENA MEDAL to Wing Commander Teja Mohan Asthana.

Wg Cdr Nitin Madhukar Gupte has been on the posted strength of TACDE, AF with effect from 24 Feb 88.

During his tenure at TACDE, he has worked with an extremely high sense of devotion and dedication to his assignment. The recent changes in the air environment with the induction of lethal air-to-air missiles of the BVR and all aspect category, have led to a complete revolution in concepts of air combat. The task of developing new tactics therefore called for revision of the basic theories of combat, which have existed since the early days of aerial warfare. This task was undertaken by Wg Cdr Gupte in a very highly professional manner. A very comprehensive and meticulous report for manoeuvring in the air, encompassing the entire gamut of air combat operations was prepared by Wg Cdr Gupte.

During his tenure at TACDE, Wg Cdr Gupte has worked with a very keen sense of devotion towards the tasks assigned to him. His quality of placing service interests always ahead of personal interests have been a shining example to all.

For his devotion, dedication and professional ability of the highest order, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Wg Cdr NM Gupte.

Wing Commander Amulaya Chandra Bharali (15049) Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of TACDE, AF wef 16 June 97.

On the evening of 22 June 98, at about 1900 hrs, the AOC, 33 Wing Air Force received SOS message from Reliance Petroleum Limited stating that they had a casualty on board at one of their barges at sea, who if not evacuated immediately was likely to succumb. The gentleman had a heart attack, which needed immediate attention. Wing Commander Amulaya Chandra Bharali of TACDE was alerted by the AOC 33 Wing Air Force because only a few days earlier he had carried out evacuation from another barge in day time in the wake of cyclone at Jamnagar. Although Wing Commander Bharali did not have experience on deck landing at night yet he immediately volunteered to undertake the task. Realising the gravity of the situation and the urgency of mission, Wing Commander Bharali quickly gathered his crew and got airborne for the mission in the shortest possible time. The sortie was undertaken in dark night condition with winds gusting to 25 Kts and more. The barge helipad was illuminated but the surrounding areas were enveloped in absolute darkness with no reference or depth perception possible. Harnessing his vast experience and professional expertise, Wing Commander Bharali executed a successful landing on the barge and evacuated the casualty thus saving his life.

For his valour and professionalism in executing a hazardous task to perfection, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Amulaya Chandra Bharali.

Wing Commander Shiv Ratan Singh (18083) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 06 Dec 85. He is the Deputy Commandant of Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) since 09 Aug 04.

He is a Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) and a graduate of DSSC, Wellington. For his outstanding performance during the FCL course, he was awarded the Jam Satanic Sword of Honour and soon after the course, he was posted as Directing Staff at the Establishment from Aug 95 to Jun 2000. He was also awarded the CAS commendation in Aug 94 for his avidity and allegiance towards his duty. He has commanded a frontline fighter Squadron and under his leadership, the Squadron undertook four MOF training courses before re-equipping with Bison aircraft. He ensured incident free conversion in the shortest possible time. Under his guidance the Squadron performed exceptionally well in DASI and AEB inspections.

The officer became the Deputy Commandant at a crucial juncture where a lot of operational, developmental and training activity was being undertaken at TACDE. However, with his initiative, involvement and dedication all the assigned tasks were achieved well and in time. He undertook the induction of Bison aircraft at TACDE as a personal crusade. This involved extensive liaison with external agencies as there were many teething problems since the aircraft and allied equipment were not planned for the Establishment at that stage. He has been instrumental in the planning and conduct of the first major BVR vs BVR tactics development exercise, Ex Javelin-II. The lessons accrued from this exercise have caused a paradigm shift in the tactical doctrine of the IAF and in shaping the future of air warfare in the Air Force. He has displayed professional acumen of a very high order in the planning and conduct of international Air Force Exercise (Ex Cope India-05) with the USAF. His effort in steering the exercise towards the desired objectives has greatly enhanced the image of the IAF.

He is a perfectionist who has never allowed personal comfort to impede his work and has willingly worked beyond the normal call of duty. He has always led from the front and served as a role model to his subordinates with his tireless zeal, knowledge and maturity.

For his exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Shiv Ratan Singh.