Air Marshal Gyanendra Nath Kunzru, joined service on 1 November 1951 and qualified as a Specialist in Pathology in 1957. He obtained MD in 1965.

In November, 1979 he was posted as Commanding Officer of a Air Force Hospital in the Eastern Sector. By his dynamism, and leadership qualities he improved the standard of medicare and overall state of hospital.

After taking over as addl DGAFMS, he set himself to the task of reorganisation of the Office of DGAFMS. The implementation of the recommendations made by him will bring long term improvement in functional efficiency of the office of the DGAFMS. He has been an allround sportsman representing State teams in National Championships in three different games viz. Cricket, Tennis and Table-Tennis.

Air Marshal Brijpal Singh Sikand was commissioned in the IAF on 15 October 1950. He has held a number of field appointments including command of a fighter Squadron, Tactical Air Centre and two operational Air Bases with distinction. On promotion to the rank of AVM in January, 1981, he was appointed as Air Officer Commanding, Jammu & Kashmir. During his tenure as Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Flight Safety & Inspection, at Air HQ, he initiated policies which resulted in a decrease in the accident rate of the Air Force and ensured a safe flying environment. Later, on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal in November 1984, he was posted as Senior Air Staff Officer, (later re-designated as Chief of Staff) of a major Operational Command.

Air Marshal Surinder Kumar Mahra (4197) F (P) was commissiond in the IAF on 15 Nov 1952. He has held varied command and staff appointments including command of a supersonic fighter Squadron, two operational Bases, Director Air Staff Inspection, Director Personnel (officers) and Assistant chief of the Air Staff. In his outstanding fiying career, he has logged about 4000 hours on fighter aircraft. Under his inspiring leadership the supersonic Squadron which he commanded, achieved a high state of operational readiness and was awarded the Air Force Instrument Rating Trophy twice. In recognition of this achievement, he was awarded VM in 1971

On 22/23 Oct 75 the Air Base which he was commanding at that time, was hit by a cyclone, Air Marshal Mehra with complete disregard of his own safety personally guided rescue operations and saved a number of aircraft form total damage. For his high degree of leadership in minimising the damage he was awarded AVSM in 1976.

A graduate of Air Command and Staff College Course in USA, he has he has held the prestigious assignment of Directing Staff at Defence Service Staff College, Wellington. After a successful tenure as Air Attache in USSR he was posted as Director Operatios (Offensive) and was responsible for formulation of policy planning and contoral of the entire offensive operations of the Air Force. As Director Personnel (Officers) in the rank of Air Vice Marshal his mature and meticulous planning and inspiring leadership led to excellent execution of all the personal mangement functions relating to officers of Air Force, including career planning, promotions and placement. Later as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) with his deep understanding of all facets of air operations and dedicated hard work he significantly enhanced the overall operational preparedness of the Air Force.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, he took over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air HQ. In this assignment he has continued to display qualities of extreme dedication and professional excellence. The smooth induction and absorption of the latest types of aircraft, weapons and sophisticated equipments is mainly attributable to his exception acumen for planning and clear perception of the long term operational requirements of the Air Force.

His continued record of brilliant performance over a career span of 35 years and dedicated contribution in all the appoinments held by him are in the best traditions of the IAF. Air Marshal SK Mehra has thus rendered long and distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Pynummoottil Simon George was commissioned in the flying branch of the Air Force in March 1952. In his long and distinguished career of over 34 years, he has held important command as well as staff appointments, including Command of a fighter- Squadron and an Operational Air Base. An experienced Flying Instructor, he was specially chosen for deputation to the UAR to impart flying training.

For displaying exceptional qualities of supervision and leadership, he was awarded AVSM in January, 1982.

In April 1984, he was specially chosen as the first Inspector General of the Air Force. This challenging assignment involves evaluation of the operational and combat worthiness of all elements of the Air Force and the supporting maintenance and administrative infrastructure. Air Marshal George, has set about his new task with zeal and purposefulness, in order to create impartial and objective evaluation machinery.

Air Marshal Chandrakant Shantaram Raje was commissioned in the Air Force in 1951. During his long and illustrious career he has held number of important operational, instructional and staff appointments.

For his meticulous planning and foresight in undertaking trials of transport aircraft and evolving new techniques for supply, dropping and landing in the most difficult and demanding landing grounds during the 1962 operations, he was awarded AVSM.

After completing his tenure as Operation Manager in Aviation Research Centre, he took over as Director General of Civil Aviation in January 1984. He was instrumental in restructuring and streamlining the organisation to meet the country's fast growing civil aviation requirements.

He also acted as an Adviser to the Government of India on policy am technical matter relating to civil aviation.

Air Marshal Nirmal Chandra Suri (4236) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF in March,1952 and has hold importent Command and Staff appointmonts, including Command of two fighter Squadrons and two frontline fightor Air Bases, Director of Intelligence at Air Headquartoras, Senior Air Staff Officer of an Operational Command and Air Officer-incharge Personnel at Air HQ. He approached and executed duties of all those posts in a positive and noteworthy manner.

An outstanding fightor pilot, having logged over 5500 hours of flying, he is a Pilot Attack Instructor and Qualifed Flying Instructor holding an A-1 category. Due to his professional excellence he was posted as an Instructor to the Flying Instructors' School and later as an Examiner in the Aircrew Examining Board. He is also one of the founder members of the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection.

Air Marshal NC Suri was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for personally supervisinng the modification for release of armament store from the type of aircraft in the Squadron he was commanding. This major modification not only enhanced the power of the IAF but also saved a large amount of foreign exchange. Subsquently, while commanding a major fighter base he set to work with commendable zeal and dedication and despite numerous difficulties achieved a high state of operational preparedness of the base. During his command, his Base won almost all the trophies instituted by the Command for 3 years continuously. For his outstanding leadership in flying and application of competent administrative and technical knowledge to enhance combat efficiency of the Station, he was awarded AVSM.

A graduate in Management Studies from Administrative Staff College, Hyderabad and also from National Defence College, he took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of a major Operational Command in February, 1912. As Senior Air Staff Officer ho was instrumental in enhancing the operational combat capability of various elements and thereby improved the operational preparedness of the Command.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal in 1985, he took over as Air Officer-in-charge Personnel at Air HQ. In this appointment, his sphere of responsibility covered a broad spectrum related to career profiles and promotion prospects of all personal of the IAF. By virtue of his vast experience analytical ability, foresight and able direction, he has given a new dimension to the employment and utilisation of manpower in the Air Force. He has continued to display rare qualities of leadership, professional competence and exceptional acumen for planning and execution of the task of his Branch.

Air Marshal NC Suri has thus rendered long and distinguished service of the most exceptional order.