Air Commodore Keshava Dev Kanagat VM (4433) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in Indian Air Force in January, 1953. During his career he carried out 7400 hours of accident free flying, commanded a multiengined transport Squadron and held variety of staff appointments at Command and Air Headquarters. During the Indo Pak War 1971, Air Commodore Kanagat led his squadron with great courage and distinction and flew many hazardous missions for which he was awarded 'Vayu Seva Medal'.

He took over the Command of No. 10 Wing in January, 1983, when the two Dakota Squadrons based there were slated to be wound down in April 1984 and the station was to prepare itself for simultaneous induction of AN-32 aircraft. It is against this background that he set himself to achieve the two major tasks viz. firstly to sustain the serviceability and tempo of flying on the ageing Dakota fleet and secondly to prepare the station for induction of AN-32, involving setting up of new training facilities, maintenance support and reorientation of operational procedures.

By his personal example and leadership he succeeded in inspiring the aircrew of the station in reposing their continuous confidence in the ageing fleet and exceeding their maintenance task by 22 tons. He associated himself keenly with maintenance activities on the station, guiding and inspiring the maintenance personnel and to make 100% Dakota aircraft on base airworthy on four occasions during the year.

Under the overall directions of Air Commodore Kanagat, the excellent performance shown by the vintage fleet, influenced the Air Force to reconsider the date of its phasing out and extend its life by another year. While the flying activity of the station was being revitalized, he continuously reviewed and revamped the administration of the Wing which was kept in pace with the overall Air Force requirements.

Air Commodore Kanagat has displayed outstanding qualities of leadership by achieving a high level of operational efficiency and readiness of an operational base. The Station under his stewardship was awarded the trophy for best administered station in Eastern Air Command.

Air Commodore Keshava Dev Kanagat VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Har Krishan Oberoi VM (4583) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force on 14th October, 1953. Throughout his career spanning 30 years, he held a large number of important and prestigious appointments. He has over 7700 hours of accident free flying to his credit.

As a junior pilot, he carried out aerial survey and strategic reconnaissance along our northern borders, stretching from Aksai Chin to Arunachal Pradesh, for over 6 years. His work greatly facilitated mapping of the hitherto unsurveyed territory, most required for operational planning besides the need of oil and mineral survey. As Flight Commander in Air HQ Communication Squadron, he was responsible for successful induction of TU-124 aircraft for VVIP operations in the IAF. Later during his two years tenure as Squadron Commander of this prestigious Squadron, his Squadron was awarded the Flight Safety Trophy successively for both the years. During the 1971 operations, for the telling results achieved by him, as Chief AVSM 1984-85 Operations Officer of an operational wing, he was awarded 'Vayu Seva Medal'.

Air Commodore Oberoi, as Commandant, Transport Training Wing, was responsible for the formulation and successful implementation of the new training syllabus for transport pilot. His unit undertook flood-relief operations on many occasions and earned the appreciation of the concerned State Government as well as of the Govt of Sri Lanka. As Director of Personnel (Officers) at Air Headquarters, he was closely associated with the development and induction of the new appraisal system and extension of the retirement ages, in the ranks of Wing Commander to Air Marshal.

Since November, 1962, he is working as Director Plans at Air Headquarters and has been responsible for sponsoring and processing a number of proposals. His major achievements have been upward revision of manpower ceiling, establishment of four wings and four FBSUs and creation of Southern Air Command. Another major achievement of Air Commodore Oberoi is the Government's approval of second cadre review, which aims at improving the career prospects of Air Force personnel.

Air Commodore Har Krishan Oberoi VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Rajendra Kumar Dhawan VM (4736) F (P) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 17 Jul 54. He has flown over 4000 hours, mainly on jet fighters. He was awarded the 'Vayu Seva Medal' in 1976. He has commanded an operational Squadron and an operational Wing during his service career and has also held important staff and training appointments both in India and abroad. During his tenure as Air Attaché, Islamabad, he established good working relations by his tact and resourcefulness.

He commanded a major operational wing for two years, at which were located three fighter squadrons and several other units. During his command newly inducted fighter aircraft were fully and safely exploited. This was largely due to his hard work, organizational and leadership qualities. He developed the vital infrastructure, ensured adequate support from sections of the wing and maintained a safe flying environment. His wing won the WAC Trophies for the year 1982-83 for being the best in Maintenance and Administration.

Air Commodore Rajendra Kumar Dhawan VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Bir Inder Singh VM (5040) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force in January 1956. He has over 4400 hours to his credit. He actively participated in both wars with Pakistan. He was the Director of NCC Directorate of Karnataka and Goa for a year w.e.f, Apr 83. Within this short period, he has been able to achieve the following outstanding results:

He personally supervised the camp training for the competitions which were to be held for the Prime Minister's Championship Banner and ensured that selection of cadets was based purely on merit. He personally selected and trained Air Wing cadets for the competition at all India lelvel. A girl cadet from his Directorate won the Gold Medal and a boy cadet the Silver Medal during the Prime Minister's Rally Championship Banner in Jan 84.

From his Directorate maximum number of cadets were selected for participants in the Republic Day as well as Guard of Honour contingents. The standard of drill achieved by Karnataka & Goa contingent was exceptionally good. During the All India Level camps held at Gurgaon and Ghaziabad for boys and girls respectively, cadets from Karnataka & Goa Directorate stood first in all the competitions which counted towards the Prime Minister's Championship Banner. In November 1983, due to his initiative, 750 NCC cadets participated in traffic duties during the CHOGM (Commonwealth Head of Government Meet) at Goa. Further, 17 cadets were trained as guides who helped the wives of the Heads of States during their stay at Goa. He volunteered to undertake all Hand Gliding training for the basic as well as advanced stage in his Directorate. A comprehensive case for introduction of Hand Gliding in NCC organization prepared by him is with the Government. Besides he also introduced wind surfing in his Directorate.

He was able to achieve exceptionally good rapport with the Karnataka State Government. The Chief Minister was so impressed by him that he went out of his way to sanction incentives for the NCC cadets which have proved to be a tremendous motivating factor. Further the State Government, at his persuasion, in actively considering the reservation of seats for NCC cadets in Home Guards, Forest, Police, Education and Fire Services Department in addition to allotting a certain quota for admission to the Post Graduate and MBA Courses.

As a result of his visits to various universities the Vice Chancellor of Mysore University has agreed to introduce the NCC as an integral part of the curricular in some of the selected colleges on trial basis from the next academic session onwards.

Air Commodore Bir Inder Singh VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Manakkal Narayanan Amri-thalingam VM (5413) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) Branch of the IAF on 20 May 57. As a Flight Signaller, he served in operational areas between Jan 59 to Sept 63 and was awarded Vayu Seva Medal for his performance during the Chinese operations. He qualified with distinction, the postgraduate course in avionics at Cranfield Institute of Technology. The officer was also trained in France on Semi Automatic Data Handling System.

On return, the officer was posted at Air HQs, where he served as specialist avionics member on the evaluation teams for the Jaguar, Harrier and Nimrod aircraft, and made significant contributions to the evaluation tasks. The officer was also associated with introduction of Automatic Data Handling systems. He was instrumental in formulating the operational requirements in the Indian context and translation of these requirements into detailed hardware and software requirements for indigenous development of the same. He has continuously associated with the project at Air HQs and subsequently at Ministry of Defence.

Officer's contribution to the design and development of the display systems and evaluation of methods for testing of software, developed for operational air force defence application, is laudable.

As Chief Technical Officer of an operational radar station he contributed significantly in solving the large number of technical teething problems and operation of the first indigenous manufactured THD radar in the Air Force. Since 1981, the officer is serving as a Senior Project Engineer at Radar and Communication Project Officer. During his tenure the workload increased considerably due to simultaneous installation of the static radar at more than one location and the introduction of Mobile PSM33 radar into the Air Force, which he managed creditably.

Group Captain Manakkal Narayanan Amrithalingam VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Sashi Kumar Samuel Ramdas was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) branch of the IAF in April, 1955. During his service career, he served on numerous assignments in India and abroad with ineffable dedication. Air Commodore Ramdas is one of those few officers of Technical Branch who are qualified pilots and have earned their 'Wings'. He has flown over 1100 hours on various types of aircraft and always kept himself in current flying practice.

He has vast technical experience on variety of combat aircraft of Western and Soviet origin. Due to his high professional knowledge, he was specially accredited to induct contemporary aircraft weapon system viz. Hunter, Marut and Jaguar and was appointed to the selective post of Chief Technical Officer of Operational bases for a period exceeding eight years. He applied his profound knowledge immensely, in aviation, both as an aeronautical engineer and as an aviator in the successfully competition of vitally important flight trials at A&ATU on Marut, Kiran, Gnat and Hunter aircraft for which he was awarded Vayu Seva Medal in Jan 70. For his involvement, ingenuity, technical acumen and initiative to meet the war requirements, during Indo-Pak conflict, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1971.

As Deputy Air Advisor in High Commission of India in London, he sorted out a number of maintenance problems by working in close cooperation with the manufacturers and RAF. In 1979, Air Cmde Ramdas was specially selected for induction of Jaguars in the IAF and sent for course to UK. Subsequently, as Chief Engineering Officer of the first Jaguar Base, he well utilized his par excellence professional experience and managerial competence to organize maintenance facilities in a time bound programme. Later as commander of a Base Repair Depot, he achieved the highest output of Kiran overhaul in 1981-82, for which the Depot was awarded the Best BRD Trophy, by HQ Maintenance Command.

Since August, 1982, Air Commodore Ramdas has been the Director of Engineering. His field experience and managerial skill have contributed a lot of smooth induction of the latest fighter aircraft and planning he overhaul facilities for them in India.

Air Commodore Sashi Kumar Samuel Ramdas VM VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Kewal Krishan Chadha (4512) Logistics was commissioned in the Air Force on 27 Jun 53. During his service, he attended Advanced Works Study Course, besides a number of courses on computers of Advanced Technology. He held many important appointments in India and abroad, which include Director of Purchase in the United Kingdom and Director of Stores at Air Headquarters.

The new clothing policy for the airmen came into effect on 01 Jan 83, which brought in its wake, various problems regarding implementation of the policy. The task assigned was to ensure availability at all items to all entitled airmen. Notwithstanding the complexity of the problem and exacting nature of task, Air Commodore Chadha set about to achieve the target with vigour, zeal and determination. During the implementation of the new policy, he displayed remarkable ability in analyzing difficult problems and evolving solutions, besides presentation of facts and convincing arguments. Today, the clothing items of airmen's kit are available at all the units/Depots and are being issued in a regulated manner. The issues are being regularly monitored and the response with regard to the implementation of the policy is very encouraging. His dedication to work, untiring energy and zeal has contributed significantly to the stabilization of the policy.

Air Commodore Kewal Krishan Chadha has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Krishan Murthy Konduri (5033) Accounts was commissioned on 15 Oct 55. During his 29 years of service, he has consistently maintained an exemplary standard of performance in various appointments held by him. He was awarded commendation by the AOC-in-C Maintenance Command in Aug 66 and again by the CAS in Jan 74. AVSM 1985-86

As S Accts O of a major Wing during 197980, he devised a comprehensive Management Information System, which was appreciated by AOC-in-C and later introduced in all the units under the Command. As Deputy Director of Accounts at Air Headquarters, he got many establishments revised and accounting procedure improved.

Gp Capt KK Murthy took over as Director of Air Force Group Insurance Society in the rank of Gp Capt on 29 Mar 82. During the tenure, he has very energetically carried through a number of proposals, considerably increasing the benefits to members, without any raise in their contributions. He has done it by innovative measures which got the Society a higher return on its investments. He got the banks to reduce the term of low yield deposits and was able to persuade the Ministry of Finance to extend the new higher rate of interest to earlier deposits in Public Sector Undertakings.

A remarkable achievement of Group Captain Krishan Murthy Konduri was in obtaining the Government sanction to exempt the death benefits, payable to Army, Navy and Air Force Group Insurance Schemes, from the Estate Duty. Undeterred by successive negative responses, single handedly he pursued the case with the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Defence (Finance), Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Law, at various levels, till he was successful in obtaining the sanction on 31 Oct 83.

With a verve and zeal which accepts nothing as impossible, Gp Capt KK Murthy has done yeoman service not only to the Air Force as an Accountant Officer but also to all the three Defence Services as Director of Air Force Group Insurance Scheme. His high professional competence, unflagging enthusiasm, total dedication to service and unparalleled achievements have been a source of inspiration for all.

Group Captain Krishan Murthy Konduri has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Gyanendra Nath Kunzru (4167) Medical was commissioned on 01 November 1951 and has been serving with the Air Force ever since. After having served as Medical Officer in various Squadrons, he attended Advance Course in Pathology and qualified for the MD degree in Pathology. He was elected a Fellow of Aero Medical Society of India and is currently a Professor and Post Graduate Examiner of the Bangalore University.

In 1960, Air Cmde Kunzru was selected for deputation to the UK for Specialised Training in Aviation Accident Pathology. Subsequently, he was instrumental in setting up the Department of Accident Pathology at Institute of Aviation Medicine. With the setting up of this Department, it has been possible to investigate all air accidents, both civil and military on scientific basis. He has carried out several research projects which have a direct bearing on aircrew performance and flight safety.

During his tenure as Officer Commanding, Air Force Hospital, Johrat, Air Cmde Kunzru displayed exemplary qualities of leadership, planning and organization. He introduced many innovations and organized Patient Care, which acclaimed high praise from all the peripheral units dependent on the Hospital.

In 1981 Air Cmde Kunzru was specially selected to hold the coveted appointment of the President of Air Force Central Medical Establishment in New Delhi. In this appointment, he not only brought about medical changes, to enhance the functional efficiency, but also devised new system of maintenance and up­dating of medical documents at Central Medical Establishment. He has been instrumental in setting up the latest investigative facilities for evaluation of aircrew with borderline cardio vascular disability. He has formulated many research projects, which will of great help in evaluation of aircrew and has contributed significantly to the delineation of the protocol for evaluation of the cosmonaut.

Air Cmde Kunzru has been an all round sportsman. He has represented Air Force Teams in Cricket, Tennis, Squash and Golf. He has also served in the Services Team for National Championship in Cricket and Tennis.

Air Commodore Gyanendra Nath Kunzru has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Madhukar Keshav Joshi (4399) Flying (Navigator) was commissioned in the Air Force in January, 1953. He has over 3700 hrs, accident free to his credit. During his service he has held many important appointments like Chief Instructor (Air Defence), Station Commander, AF Station Begumpet and Air Officer Commanding Air Force Record Office.

He was posted as Air Officer Commanding Air Force Record Office on 05 Jan 83. He took over this office, at a time when a number of new weapon systems were being inducted which demanded an immediate need to evaluate the airmen manning levels of operational squadrons. He undertook the challenge and in a short span of six months improved the effective manning status in the Air Force.

In a pragmatic analysis of airmen manpower, he conducted a detailed study to assess the airmen manpower requirements till 1987 and made firm recommendations, with an aim to achieve 100% manning by 1988. the steps recommended by him are being pursued to bring up manning level, in the Air Force to 100%, in the shortest possible time frame. Besides, AFRO has streamlined the procedures of discharge of airmen and ensured timely finalization of the pension cases. Now the cases of regularization of grant of excess leave are also being regularized at AFRO itself. The Establishment and strength data, an essential information for updating statistical records of manning levels of airmen of the Indian Air Force, is readily available.

His methodical approach and detailed planning ensured that only about 800 personnel were moved on posting, while as many as 8500 promotions were authorized. Further, due to his personal involvement and visits to various formations, outstanding movements were reduced, drastically. Request postings, like 'compassionate ground posting' have now been restricted to two years only. Rationalisation of the categorization of units, for purpose of manning levels, has also been achieved, based on recommendation of this office. A number of positive measures like, first choice posting from hard areas, granted extended tenures, utilization of expertise in a fair and impartial way, are some of the measures which were implemented during his stewardship and are paying rich dividends.

Air Commodore Madhukar Keshav Joshi has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Ajit Mohan Shahane, Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force in January 1954. He has logged over 5500 hrs of accident free flying, out of which over 1500 hours were flown in the difficult hilly areas of Ladakh and the Eastern Himalayas. During his long service, he has held many important Staff and Command appointments which include Directing Stall at Defence Services Stall College, Commandant of College of Air Warfare and Air II of an operational Command.

He was amongst the few pioneers who surveyed and established the routes in the hilly terrain of Jammu and Kashmir, for operation of Packet aircraft. As a veteran pilot himself, he was able to motivate and inspire the aircrew of the ageing Packet fleet to undertake the maintenance operations in Ladakh, with zeal and enthusiasm. His mettle in flying can be best gauged from the example of calm and cool courage, displayed by him during a grave in-flight emergency, where he skillfully nursed a crippled Packet aircraft in Ladakh and landed it safely at Leh.

During the Goa operations, the Chinese aggression and the Indo-Pak conflict in 1965, AVSM 1985 he undertook transport support tasks and flew a number of maritime tactical missions. During 1971, as Deputy Director Operations (Transport & Maritime), he made valuable contributions in planning and coordinating strategic airlift for the Army. As Directing Staff at DSSC and Commandant of College of Air Warfare, he made significant contributions in projecting the correct philosophy and strategy in respect of Air Power. As Joint Director Intelligence, he was able to strengthen and modernise the Security and Counter Intelligence Organisation.

Air Cmde Shahane in his appointment as Air II of an operational Command, achieved optimal utilisation of available resources. He met all multifarious commitments of Air maintenance, flood relief and the Route Transport Role, despite tremendous handicaps in the shape of dwindling availability of transport fleet placed under his command.

Air Commodore Ajit Mohan Shahane has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.