Group Captain Bijender Singh Siwach AVSM VM (12413) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the IAF on 13 Jun 70 and has been the Commander of IAF contingent Sierra Leone-2000, UNAMSIL since 15 Mar 2000.

Gp Capt BS Siwach, an outstanding officer and an exceptional flier, has more than 6000 hours of accident/incident free flying to his credit. He is an A-2 qualified flying instructor, graduate of Defence Services Staff College and has had eminently successful tenure as Commanding Officer, Mi-8 and Mi- 17 units and Station Commander, Air Force Station, Sarsawa. He is a recipient of 'Vayu Sena Medal' and 'Ati Vishisht Seva Medal' for distinguished service of exceptional order.

A Joint Army-Air Force operation named 'Op Khukri' was launched on 15 Jul 2000 to rescue 22 Indian Troops and 11 Military Observers of United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, from the Clutches of Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels. Gp Capt BS Siwach was actively involved in the joint planning of the operation right from the conception phase and contributed immensely towards providing round the clock effective air support for the operation. The officer ensured the execution of the entire air operation in a very professional and daring manner. Under his dynamic leadership, the IAF Contingent helicopters flew 108 sorties/66.55 hours under extremely adverse weather conditions over most inhospitable hilly and thickly forested terrain in the face of the threat from the rebels. His very close monitoring and control of the air operation helped a great deal towards the most needed swiftness without compromising the safety of contingent air assets. Gp Capt BS Siwach ensured a very effective and continuous air umbrella over the area of operations which was instrumental in the grand success of the Op Khukri, in the shortest possible time of less than two days.

For his distinguished service of a high order under operational conditions, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Yudh Seva Medal' to Group Captain Bijender Singh Siwach.