Sqn Ldr Satyabir Singh Bist was on the posted strength of one of the Squadrons in Air Force since 30 Sep 87. Sqn Ldr Bist was posted to the Squadron as the Senior Technical Officer and the Sqn was in the process of converting to a new type without any other technical officer or trained technical manpower on its strength.

Within 10 days of his arrival in the Sqn, the officer put all his energies and attention to the complex process of receiving the aircraft and allied equipment without ignoring the minutest detail. Such attention to detail was absolutely essential for the smooth induction of a new type so that flying training and operational build-up of the Squadron could commence without the slightest delay and in an organised and orderly fashion to avoid any mishaps. Due to his best efforts, within one week the seven allotted aircraft were collected and within three days of collection, the Squadron could commence operations. Due to the untiring efforts and drive of Sqn Ldr Bist, the Squadron maintained high average effort of sorties per month till date despite the constraints of resources.

For his exemplary devotion to duty, organising and planning abilities and leadership qualities, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr SS Bist.

Sqn Ldr Smarajit Munshi was on the posted strength of a Base Repair Depot, Air Force. He was entrusted with the initial setting up of R-29 project. Later the officer was entrusted with the setting up and commissioning of R-29 Test Bed, the key result area identified for the achievement of task of R-29 engine. The overhaul line has so far produced a large number of engines, thus accruing a foreign exchange saving of Rs. 33 crores.

The Soviets did not supply the spacer to test 47M engine. Also the gas dynamic device for checking anti-surge and dynamic stability of R-29 engine was not supplied by the Soviets. The officer took the responsibility of designing and subsequently getting the item manufactured indigenously. This effort of the officer has saved more than Rs. 1 lakh in foreign exchange.

This officer has taken an initiative in testing R-29 engines with improved antisurge system. This improved system has an impact on better flight safety on the engines of Bahadur fleet.

For his exceptional professional competence, managerial and leadership qualities of highest order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr S Munshi.

Sqn Ldr Vaidyalingam Ramalingam was on the posted strength of one of the Air Force Base Repair Depots and was working as Officer Incharge Production in the Mi-8 overhaul line.

Sqn Ldr Ramalingam was assigned the responsibility of completing the assigned task of overhauls of Mi-8 helicopters during 198788, with an increase of almost 50% over the previous year's task. The officer took up this challenge, infused in his men a sense of purpose and espirit-de-corps to motivate them and made attainment of the task personal goal. He streamlined the production process and introduced maintenance information system which assured availability of the right spares at the right place and time. During the year 1988-89, Sqn Ldr Ramalingam was once again entrusted with the task of attaining the overhaul target. To meet the target, he put in consistently, extended hours, unmindful of personal requirements and exceeded the overhaul target.

For his unflinching devotion to duty, astute leadership and exceptional professional ability, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Ramalingam.

Squadron Leader Ajoy Kumar Jha was posted to Air Force Intelligence School as a directing staff in the faculty of Photo Interpretation.

A devoted Photo Interpretation instructor, he set up total photo processing facilities at IPKF HQ at Madras within 48 hours for handling all type of reconnaissance films, without any airman support. Inspite of nonavailability of VICON-80 system, he interpreted 6000 photographs from Jaffna to Vavuniya in a record time of 15 days.

He planned helicopter reconnaissance sorties along with Para Commando. Based on his observation and recommendations, a number of probable hideouts of LTTE and suitable helipads were marked for the Vavuniya Sector. He prepared a master Mosaic superimposed with intelligence, which were extensively used by the Para Commando and Div HQ at Vavuniya. This is the first time, Signatures of LTTE hideouts were given to IPKF by the Air Force and Sqn Ldr Jha was the man behind this contribution.

For his contribution as a Photo Interpreter of very high order in the success of IPKF Operations, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr AK Jha.

Flight Lieutenant Ram Chander Chhabra is posted to Air Force Squadron since 19 Jun 89 and has been functioning as the Detachment Commander of one of the flights.

The most outstanding achievement of the officer is in bringing up the servicing facilities of CR&SS (Control Repair and Servicing Section). The erstwhile CR&SS hangar was declared unsafe for use by the MES. A make shift arrangement was to be made to house the CR&SS and its servicing bays. Flt Lt Chhabra took upon himself the task, converted an old unused hangarette for use by the CR&SS. He set up the servicing bays once again in make shift rooms. Without awaiting for the support of MES, he with the drive and initiative repaired the rooms using the aircraft technicians available with him.

Inspite of the fact that almost fortnight was lost in shifting the hangar and its bays, the officer planned and controlled the aircraft production commendably by motivating his men into long hours of work. The Flight has completed 100/200 hours servicing of a large number of aircraft and carried out major rectification on many aircraft in the last 6 months.

For his outstanding technical skill, administrative ability, innovative ideas and hard work, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Flt Lt RC Chhabra.

Hony Flying Officer Patit Paban Kundu, Ground Training Instructor, was MWO i/c of the Air Force Station Physical Fitness Section, Sports Section and Air Headquarters Sports Command. He was responsible for the training of Air Force Contingent for Republic Day Parade, Independence Day Parade, InterServices Guards of Honour, and all Guards of Honour presented at Air HQ (VB) to Foreign Chiefs of Air Staff and other dignitaries on their visit to India.

In the year 1989, Air Force marching contingent was adjudged the second best contingent in Republic Day Parade. This was clearly due to the hard work and excellent planned training schedule prepared by Hony Fg Offr P Kundu. He motivated his team of Instructors and the airmen of the contingent for Republic Day 1990 to greater effort and harder work in a manner that they attained their peak efficiency for the Republic Day Parade and the Air Force marching Contingent was adjudged the best. This was the first time in the history of the IAF that its Republic Day Contingent was given the highest placing.

In recognition of his outstanding services of exceptional order and extra-ordinary professional competence, dedication and total involvement, sustained hard work and distinguished service, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Hony Fg Offr Patit Paban Kundu.

MWO Suraj Parkash Mishra was on the posted strength of a Base Repair Depot and was employed at MWO i/c Machine Shop of the General Engineering Wing.

Keeping his capabilities in view, MWO Mishra was assigned the difficult task of manufacturing of more than 1200 complex tooling items like jigs, fixtures and special appliances. These were not supplied by USSR and were critically required by the new R-29 engine overhaul line.

RD-33 aero-engine was to be sent to the USSR for overhaul. Thirty cases were to be manufactured urgently. It involved manufacture of a very large number of assorted machine parts totaling about 200 by reverse engineering. Working round the clock with the technicians, guiding them at every step, MWO Mishra completed the manufacture of the items ahead of schedule.

AOG for Kiran Cooling Air Pack (CAP) started mounting for want of costly breakdown spares. MWO Mishra obtained samples of rotor shafts, end-cover and oil slingers required for overhaul of CAP. The assembled CAP passed the laid down standards.

For his outstanding contribution in fulfillment of production commitments, extra-ordinary professional competence, cost consciousness, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to MWO SP Mishra.

Master Warrant Officer Amarjeet Singh has worked in front line fighter squadrons and operational wings in various capacities both as a worker and as an effective supervisor during his 33 years of service.

In 1985, MWO Amarjeet Singh was selected to go abroad and he was trained in electrical system of the Mirage-2000 aircraft. Since his return in Jul 85, he has been on the posted strength of one of the operational Wings. To conserve the life of the imported Ground Power Units (GPU), and to ensure its availability during detachments, a project was undertaken to fabricate a starting system utilising a converter driven by commercial supply. MWO Amarjeet Singh was assigned this task which involved wiring of control circuits and laying underground cables in the aircraft dispersal area. Being of an experimental nature money was not available. He prepared the circuit diagram and went onto complete the project in a record period of two weeks.

For his devotion to duty, professional knowledge innovative ideas, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to MWO Amarjeet Singh.

Warrant Officer Didar Singh Bains is held on the posted strength of ADR & DE since July, 1988. He has to his credit 1253 parachute descents inclusive of 475 free fall descents which is amongst the highest carried out by an individual in the country. He also has 3000 hours despatching sorties/flying experience. Ram Air Parachute was developed successfully and WO Bains was selected for carrying out the first live jump. He undertook this daring task and performed the live jumps successfully. He was selected once again for assessing performance of Ram Air Reserve Parachute which was a most challenging and risky task. Such an uphill task was done successfully by him for the first time in the history of the nation. So far, he has completed forty odd jumps with Ram Air Parachute.

He is the first Indian to undergo Advanced Free Fall Course during 1979-80 wherein he qualified in free fall descents from high altitude, including one night jump. WO Bains is the first Indian who para jumped from low level (100 metre) by means of special parachutes designed by France & UK.

In recognition of his outstanding ability, significant contribution in the field of free fall parachuting, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to WO Didar Singh Bains.

Warrant Officer Gour Babu Sharma was on the posted strength of a Repair Maintenance Unit since 01 Apr 86.

WO Sharma while carrying out all routine on-site repairs and laboratory tasks involved himself with setting up repair facilities for repairing PCBs of HF R/T sets and other ground based communication and navigation equipment. So far facilities have been set up for repairing about 25 types of PCBs and a large number have been repaired using these facilities during the preceding one year.

DRDF of a flying Wing experienced most unusual interference phenomena which could neither be explained nor rectified by concerned technical personnel using conventional diagnostic techniques. Air HQ entrusted this task to the RMU and WO Sharma took up the challenge. He meticulously studied all other electronic emissions in the area and analysed their impact on the DRDF. This was a major feat requiring original thinking and thorough knowledge of modern electronics and earned appreciation for the RMU from Air HQ and HQ SWAC.

For his exceptional professional skills, contribution towards improving the operational efficiency of our airfield facilities, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to WO Gour Babu Sharma.