Air Marshal Ripu Daman Sahni, was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force in 1950. In his long and distinguished career, spread over 35 years, he has held important Command as well as Staff appointments including command of an operational air base in the Western Sector. Subsequently, he graduated from the National Defence College and has since been assigned several important staff assignments where he put into use his rich experience, competence, meticulous planning and professional expert ise in such a manner that difficult tasks were accomplished to the entire satisfaction of the Air Force.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal in January 1984 he took over charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters at a time when a number of schemes of far reaching implications relating to career prospects of Air Force personnel were to be implemented. It was mainly due to his excellent leadership, clear and far-sighted guidance and deep sense of personal involvement that often apparently conflicting situations were resolved expeditiously and smoothly in his typically quite and efficient manner. He also made valuable contributions towards acceptable and workable solutions to the twin problems of stagnation and supersession that the Air Force has had to face in recent years.

As Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command, by his dynamic leadership and outstanding management of resources, he has enabled the Command to fulfill all its operational tasks despite diminishing spares. Yet another landmark of his current tenure is re-equipment of a number of Central Air Command squadrons, with Sutlej, Gajraj and Vajra aircraft. This task involved dexterous handling and has been executed in a commendable manner. This has significantly enhanced the operational capabilities of not only his Command but also the entire Air Force.

Air Marshal Ripu Daman Sahni, AVSM, has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Man Mohan Singh was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force in January 1951 and has held important Command and Staff appointments, including Command of three Fighter squadrons and two frontline Fighter Air Bases, Senior Air Staff Officer of an operational Command and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters. He held all these posts in an extremely distinguished manner.

An outstanding Fighter Pilot, Air Marshal MM Singh took active part in Indo-Pak conflict during 1971 and was awarded Vir Chakra for gallantry and leadership in the face of the enemy. Subsequently, while commanding a Fighter Station in the Eastern Sector, he set to work with commendable zeal and perseverance despite numerous difficulties and achieve a high state of operational preparedness of the Base. For his outstanding leadership in flying, and application of competent administrative and technical knowledge to enhance combat efficiency of his Station, he was awarded AVSM.

After graduating from the National Defence College, he was posted to be Senior Staff appointment in WAC and designed an integrated air-defence system that continues in practice to this day. Later, as Senior Air Staff Officer of a major operational Command, he was instrumental in enhancing the operational combat capability of various elements and significantly improved the operational preparedness of the Command.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal in 1984, he took over as Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters. He continued to display rare qualities of leadership, professional competence and exceptional acumen for planning and execution of tasks of his Branch.

Air Marshal Man Mohan Singh, AVSM, VrC, has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Kuldip Singh Bhatia was commissioned in the Technical Branch of the Indian Air Force in 1951. He has held a wide variety of Command and Staff assignments during his long and meritorious service in the Air Force and has distinguished himself by rare professional competence and outstanding administrative ability.

The important Staff/Command appointments held by him include that of Chief Engineering Officer of a major Fighter station. In recognition of his exceptional ability to combine technical with managerial competence, he was subsequently given Command of an important Base Repair Depot. As the BRD Commander he accomplished all tasks ahead of schedule.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal in February 1985, he took over as the Project Director of Radar and Communication Project Organisation. As a competent Technical Officer and a versatile field engineer, he has displayed a high degree of initiative in planning and installation of the trope, microwave and radar facilities. Thus he has been instrumental in significantly enhancing Air Defence Ground Environment capabilities of the IAF. His selfless devotion to duty has earned him the admiration and respect of the personnel who have had to perform field tasks even in remote and inaccessible mountainous terrain.

Air Marshal Kuldip Singh Bhatia AVSM & Bar has, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Vir Narain Flying (Navigator) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in January 1951. Since then he has held with distinction a wide variety of assignments. As a Navigator he has the singular distinction of having commanded an operational flying station. In all the posts held by him, during the span of 35 years of service so far, he has distinguished himself not only by rare professional competence but also by outstanding administrative ability. He is a graduate of the National Defence College.

In recent years, Air Marshal Vir Narain, has held with distinction important appointments of Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Maritime Air Operations, and Air Attaché in Moscow. In both these assignments, he exhibited a very high degree of professional skill and competence. Subsequently, as Senior Air and Administration Officer at HQ Maintenance Command, through effective management of resources, brought about significant overall improvement in the output of various Base Repair and Equipment Depots within the Command. This directly contributed to improving the serviceability of Operational Units. In recognition of the excellent services rendered by him he was, on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, appointed as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command.

Air Marshal Vir Narain has, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Chotey Lal Gupta was commissioned in the Accounts Branch of Indian Air Force in 1955. Throughout his service, he has distinguished himself in all the Staff appointments held at Stations, Commands and Air Headquarters.

Because of his wide experience in the field of finance he was appointed as Joint Director Accounts in 1980 and was subsequently elevated as Director of Accounts on promotion to the rank of Air Commodore. For nearly a decade he has been virtually the moving spirit behind all important Accounting policies. This has improved the Accounting services in IAF to an exceptionally high standard. For having displayed rare qualities in the field of financial management and planning and co-ordination, he was appointed as Director Financial Planning in 1984, when the Air Force five year plan for 1985-90 was under preparation. Judicious assessment of resources, critical analysis of various projections and close interaction by him with different Branches and Directorates enabled Air Headquarters to present a sound and logical Plan document.

The Revenue Budget of IAF was fully utilised largely because of efforts in constantly monitoring expenditure. New techniques and methodology have also been developed by him to enable critical and effective scrutiny of HAL financial proposals which have paid rich dividends in the form of substantial savings to the Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Chotey Lal Gupta has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.