Air Marshal Krishnamachari Narasimhan (2278) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) Branch of the Indian Air Force In March 1943. During his long service career, he has held with distinction a variety of important appointments. He has also successfully attended specialist and staff courses in the UK and in this country including the National Defence College.

As the Command

Signals Officer of No. 1 Operational Group immediately after partition, he was responsible

for the operational planning and implementation of the 'Signals Plan' for the Group, which contributed a great deal to the success of operations during the Kashmir campaign in 1948. During his tenure as Deputy Director of Technical Services (Mechanical Transport) at Air Headquarters, he planned and implemented the scheme whereby the Air Force took over from the Army the responsibility for the second line servicing of all Mechanical Transport used by the Air Force. As the Commandant of Air Force Technical College, he introduced modern training methods and thereby improved the efficiency of training at the College. In 1963, when the requirement of technical personnel went up considerably, he geared up the organisation at the College so well that the challenging task of accelerated training was accomplished without any deterioration in quality. In 1965, he was posted as Director of Signals Possessing. Technical knowledge and professional skill of a high, order, a creative mind and sound organising ability, he was responsible for the improved operational preparedness and capability of the Air Force in the field of Electronics, during the 1965 IndoPak Conflict. In 1970, he was appointed the first Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Systems). In this capacity, he controlled and directed the activities of three Directorates. Undeterred by the shortfall of resources, he was able to forge those Directorates into efficient and effective organisations. That during the 1971 IndoPak War, all the 'Systems' in the IAF worked efficiently and contributed to the success of operations, was in no small measure due to the meticulous planning and progressive leadership pro-vided by Air Marshal Narasimhan By his dedication to duty, untiring seal and initiative, he has always set on example to other technical officers.

Air Marshal Krishnamachari Narasimhan has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Edul Jahangir Dhatigara, KC (1899) was commissioned in Flying (Pilot) Branch of the India Air Force in June 1942. He served with distinction during the operations in North West Frontier Provinces in 1943-44, J&K in 1948, Nagaland in 1956, Goa in 1962, Ladakh in 1962 and Indo-Pakistan of 1965 and 1971.

Early in his career, as a flight Commander of a Transport Squadron, he successfully organised relief operations during the earthquake and flood catastrophe that had struck Assam in 1950. In October, 1954, he was assigned the command of an Air Force Station in the Eastern Sector. In this capacity he planned and executed counter-insurgency operations in 1956.

During these operations he undertook a very hazardous supply dropping mission in which his aircraft received many bullet hits from ground fire. For this act of courage and leadership he was awarded the Kirti Chakra.

After the Goa operations in 1962, he was entrusted the task of clearing Dabolim airport of unexploded bombs and repairing the damaged airfield. He accomplished this heavy task in a short span of six days. For this valuable service he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff.

In 1964, he was assigned the Command of an operational Wing in the Eastern Sector. In this capacity, he was responsible for the successful operations carried out by Fighters and Transport aircraft against Pakistan in September, 1965. During the Indo-Pak war of 1971, he was the Air Officer Commanding of an operational Wing in the Western Sector and under his inspiring leadership the Wing made conspicuous contributions towards the achievements of Fighter and Bomber squadrons during the operations against Pakistan.

Air Vice Marshal Dhatigara took over as Assistant Chief of the Air staff (Operations) at Air Headquarters in June, 1972. He has successfully tackled intricate operational problems and has established a very amiable and most satisfactory rapport with his counterparts in Army and Naval Headquarters.

Air Marshal Edul Jahangir Dhatigara, KC has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.