Squadron Leader Sabhapathy Damodran (7108) AE (L) has been on the posted strength of a Base Repair Depot since April 1974. During 78-79 Air HQ had requirement of fitment of IFF Mk X equipment on type 69 aircraft for which neither the mod kit nor engineering data was available. The task was proposed to be assigned to HAL (New Delhi) who declined to undertake development and fitment of mod in the absence of electrical and structural drawings of the aircraft which were not available from USSR.

The task was quite difficult due to nonavailability of proper materials, manufacturing facilities for various structural components, design drawings, load distribution data and other details. The most difficult problem was to accommodate the control panel of the equipment in the cockpit lay out. However the standard central panel was fitted by the team with ingenuity and certain adjustments.

The officer succeeded in the fitment of IFF Mk X and Collins V/UHF communication equipment and evolved mod leaflets for both modifications in MiG trainer aircraft. The flight trials of IFF Mk X were successfully completed in April, 1981. The officer had put in dedicated work to make available installation materials locally, fabricated structural fitments and looms and completed the task in record time of six months. It is commendable on the part of the officer that these two modifications were carried out expeditiously within Air Force resources to meet the operational requirements.

Squadron Leader Damodran has thus displayed sound professional knowledge, exceptional efficiency and high degree of technical competence, initiative and drive with untiring efforts in carrying out the modification. The Rashtrapti is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Sabhapathy Damodran.

Sqn Ldr Satish Kumar Midha is on the posted strength of one of the Signal Units of Air Force and is attached to TACDE since May 89. During his tenure at TACDE, Sqn Ldr Midha worked as the staff in charge of training of Master Fighter Controllers (MFC). New concept of operational combat training for fighter controllers of the IAF was initiated in Aug 89 and the task assigned to TACDE. The officer performed his task with the highest degree of dedication and professionalism.

The task called for formalising training patterns and SOPs for operational control of interceptor aircraft. Trials were conducted to arrive at the optimum format of operational training. The curriculum was finalised after extensive deliberations. The sincerity of purpose, meticulous planning and determined approach, displayed by Squadron Leader Midha, led to the successful completion of the task.

He was also instrumental in disseminating operational solutions to the operators in the field through the conduct of capsules and orientation courses. This task was carried out with the highest degree of zeal and enthusiasm.

For having worked with selfless devotion and dedication during his stay at TACDE, and for displaying professional skill of the highest order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr SK Midha.

Sqn Ldr Azeez Javeed has been on the strength of TACDE, Air Force wef 06 May 91.

During his tenure at TACDE, Sqn Ldr A Javeed has worked as the officer-in-charge of training of Master Fighter Controller (MFC). He was tasked to formalise the latest intercept techniques and briefing guides for operational control of intercept ac. This involved extensive discussions, deliberations and compilation. He carried out this task in record time with the highest degree of dedication and professional skill and the relevant information has now been ratified by Air Headquarters in the from of IAP 3448.

The task of dissemination of the information to the operators in the field was planned by conducting orientation capsules in the field for junior controllers and at TACDE for senior controllers. He lead a team of MFC staff and visited all major SUs and WAC, CAC and SWAC, IAF between 24 Feb 92 to 11 Mar 92. In addition, two capsules were conducted at TACDE, AF. This task was exceptionally well planned and executed with the highest degree of zeal and enthusiasm. His deep sense of involvement has directly contributed to the overall improvement of the operational potential of the IAF.

For his professionalism of a very high order, devotion to duty and distinguished services of a very high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Azzez Javeed.

Squadron Leader UK Choudhary was commissioned on 02 Jul 79 and has been on the posted strength of Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) since 29 Jun 92. He has been working as officer in charge Central Repairs and Servicing Section (CR&SS). The tasks and commitments of CR&SS at AF Station Jamnagar are very high. Sqn Ldr Choudhary displayed very high degree of professional competence, resourcefulness and ingenuity in meeting the task. He also embarked on an ambitious plan of building up of long unserviceable aircraft (ac) and a total of 10 ac were made serviceable in the last one year. Realising the shortage of testers he also undertook the task of designing and fabricating testers. Three testers were fabricated by the CR&SS during the last one year under his guidance.

In Nov 94 a MIG-21 ac on ferry from Chandigarh to Ojhar crash landed at a civil air field in Bhavnagar approximately 300 km from Jamnagar. Sqn Ldr UK Choudhary was selected to recover the ac. After one trip to Bhavnagar Sqn Ldr Choudhary had all the information needed by HQ South Western Air Command to take a decision. He also suggested two solutions to the problem. Once the Command decided on the course of action, Sqn Ldr Choudhary set about the job systematically and completed it in three days at an expense of Rs 16,000 against Rs 40,000 sanctioned for the task.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Squadron Leader UK Choudhary.

Wing Commander AK Srivastava was commissioned in the Administrative Branch on 29 Dec 76. He qualified as a Fighter Controller in 1977 and is a category 'A' controller. He was adjudged the Best Fighter Controller in 1987 and passed the Master Fighter Controller Course with directing staff grading. He was posted to Tactics & Air Combat Development Establishment in May 95.

During 'Operation Brass Tacks' he set up a Radar unit in only three days with 16 untrained personnel. At another Air Defence Unit, he maintained and operated proto-type Automatic Data Handling System to peak efficiency without any outside help or formal training on the system. During Mar 95 Wg Cdr Srivastava was tasked to form a Control and Reporting Centre for an exercise. He made excellent use of PCs to overcome limitations of manual system of telling and plotting which normally lead to delayed reactions. The work was appreciated at the highest level in Command and the officer was tasked to develop and demonstrate a functional PC aided CRC within a month. Wg Cdr Srivastava completed the task within the time frame by developing and modifying the available software and hardware. The CRC was manned by only eight personnel as against twenty required for manual system. The same low cost, maintenance free system was used in an Air Force Exercise providing a user friendly environment, thus enhancing operational capability of the IAF.

For distinguished services of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wg Cdr AK Srivastava.

Wing Commander Dhananjai Vishnu Wani (18568) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF in 1986. Since Apr 2001 he has been a directing staff at Tactical & Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and has been holding the appointment of officer incharge Development. A Fighter Combat Leader Course Instructor, he is an outstanding professional who has proved his mettle in various challenging assignments time and again. He flew more than 45 sorties during 'Op Safed Sagar' and was awarded 'Mention in Dispatches' for his role in the operations. He has over 2900 hrs of accident free flying, which includes 2800 sorties on various MiG-21 variants and over 1200 sorties on the Mirage 2000. He has an in-depth professional knowledge on Air Interception Radars, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missiles and other associated avionics of modern day Air Superiority Fighters. He has played a key role in finding operational solutions to various development tasks undertaken at TACDE.

He has been involved in the development of 'BVR' combat tactics and night combat trials for 'special Task' during his tenure at TACDE. He was in charge of developing tactics and their employment during Ex Cope India and was instrumental in the spectacular results achieved during the exercise. He was the Exercise Coordinator, responsible for all aspects of Sindex 04, the first ever IndoSingapore Fighter exercise. His innovation in efficiently utilising the Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) station reduced the debrief time by one third at the same time improving the quality of debriefs during Sindex 04. He has contributed immensely towards both the international exercises, which has enhanced our prestige internationally. His positive attitude, mature approach and analytical ability have been instrumental in bringing about far-reaching changes in TACDE and have been a source of inspiration to others.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Dhananjai Vishnu Wani.

Wing Commander Dhananjai Vishnu Wani (18568) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF in 1986. Since Apr 2001 he has been a directing staff at Tactical & Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and has been holding the appointment of officer incharge Development. A Fighter Combat Leader Course Instructor, he is an outstanding professional who has proved his mettle in various challenging assignments time and again. He flew more than 45 sorties during 'Op Safed Sagar' and was awarded 'Mention in Dispatches' for his role in the operations. He has over 2900 hrs of accident free flying, which includes 2800 sorties on various MiG-21 variants and over 1200 sorties on the Mirage 2000. He has an in-depth professional knowledge on Air Interception Radars, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missiles and other associated avionics of modern day Air Superiority Fighters. He has played a key role in finding operational solutions to various development tasks undertaken at TACDE.

He has been involved in the development of 'BVR' combat tactics and night combat trials for 'special Task' during his tenure at TACDE. He was in charge of developing tactics and their employment during Ex Cope India and was instrumental in the spectacular results achieved during the exercise. He was the Exercise Coordinator, responsible for all aspects of Sindex 04, the first ever IndoSingapore Fighter exercise. His innovation in efficiently utilising the Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) station reduced the debrief time by one third at the same time improving the quality of debriefs during Sindex 04. He has contributed immensely towards both the international exercises, which has enhanced our prestige internationally. His positive attitude, mature approach and analytical ability have been instrumental in bringing about far-reaching changes in TACDE and have been a source of inspiration to others.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Dhananjai Vishnu Wani.