Wg Cdr Mahendra Goli is posted as Commanding Officer of one of the Air Force Helicopter Units since 17 Jul 89.

The Unit's operational task is primarily in the Siachen Glacier where helipads are in the region of 19000 ft to 23000 ft density altitude. The helipads are exposed to frequent enemy shelling and the Cheetah helicopter flies in most inhospitable terrain on extremes of flight envelop.

Wg Cdr Goli immediately after taking over the unit, involved himself in the operational training of U/T pilots who were declared fully operational in the shortest possible time to undertake Air Maintenance task at Amar, Sonam and Zulu, the most difficult helipads in the Glacier. The officer has 5830 hrs of accident/incident-free flying record to his credit.

On 03 July 90, one Cheetah helicopter force-landed at Amar helipad at an altitude of 19,000' above MSL. The helicopter required an engine change without which it was not possible to retrieve the helicopter. It also necessitated taking an engine (wt 200 kg) to Amar whereas the normal load as per SOP vary from 25 Kgs to 75 Kgs during the season. Wg Cdr Goli master minded the whole exercise of transporting the serviceable engine, change and fly the helicopter out of Amar at the earliest. Probably this was the first time after an engine change a helicopter has been flown out from 19,000' (23,000' density altitude).

For his high professional standards, deft planning, exceptional imagination, devotion to duty and exemplary bravery, the President is pleased to award Yuddh Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Mahendra Goli.

Flt Lt Neti Shiv Ram Krishna has been on the posted strength of one of the Helicopter Units since 12 Jul 89.

Flt Lt Krishna was the detachment Commander of the Mi-8 detachment at Tri-ncomallee. On the morning of 14 Sep 89, he was given the task of induction of troops immediately into the jungles near Kattukulam in order to take on the LTTE militants hiding in these jungles in heavy concentrations. There was only a very small clearing where landing could be undertaken with great difficulty. Anticipating that troops may be required to be landed in large numbers, Flt Lt Krishna decided in consultation with the army officer on board, to land at another lake bed (Kattukulam), about 2 Kms north-west of the designated landing zone.

On the night of 14 Sep 89, Flt Lt Krishna who in anticipation, had kept his helicopter in readiness for casualty evacuation was given the task to evacuate some casualties who were seriously wounded from Kattukulum area. The mission entailed flying on a dark night with marginal weather. He executed the landing with tremendous skill, professional ability and courage, putting down the helicopter in a clearing barely sufficient for the helicopter and covered by ditches.

For his exemplary courage, dedication to duty, judgment, professional excellence and sense of involvement, the President is pleased to award Yuddh Seva Medal to Flt Lt Neti Shiv Ram Krishna.

Flt Lt Chandra Singh has been on posted strength of one of the Helicopter Units in Air Force since 20 Jun 88.

In his short service career of 6½ years, this young and keen flier has carried out 2550 hours of accident/incident free helicopter flying.

During his tenure in the unit, Flt Lt Chandra Singh has flown over 2400 sorties exclusively in the Siachen Glacier, to the highest helipads in the world like Amar, Sonam and Zulu, where the density altitude ranges from 18000 ft to 23000 ft. Operations to these helipads which are in very close proximity to enemy locations is invariably similar to war like conditions due to frequent enemy shelling/fire.

He had undertaken around 2400 hazardous missions to deliver vital supplies like ammunitions, rations, medicines and evacuating serious casualties to/from our highest helipads under heavy enemy shelling and at times in adverse weather conditions.

In recognition of his exemplary courage and exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Yuddh Seva Medal to Flt Lt Chandra Singh.