Sqn Ldr Azeez Javeed has been on the strength of TACDE, Air Force wef 06 May 91.

During his tenure at TACDE, Sqn Ldr A Javeed has worked as the officer-in-charge of training of Master Fighter Controller (MFC). He was tasked to formalise the latest intercept techniques and briefing guides for operational control of intercept ac. This involved extensive discussions, deliberations and compilation. He carried out this task in record time with the highest degree of dedication and professional skill and the relevant information has now been ratified by Air Headquarters in the from of IAP 3448.

The task of dissemination of the information to the operators in the field was planned by conducting orientation capsules in the field for junior controllers and at TACDE for senior controllers. He lead a team of MFC staff and visited all major SUs and WAC, CAC and SWAC, IAF between 24 Feb 92 to 11 Mar 92. In addition, two capsules were conducted at TACDE, AF. This task was exceptionally well planned and executed with the highest degree of zeal and enthusiasm. His deep sense of involvement has directly contributed to the overall improvement of the operational potential of the IAF.

For his professionalism of a very high order, devotion to duty and distinguished services of a very high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Azzez Javeed.

Sqn Ldr Ajay Gautam was on the posted strength of AEB as an examiner before proceeding to Antarctica along with XI Antarctica Expedition.

Sqn Ldr A Gautam, besides looking after the job of Flt Engr, he was actively involved in rendering full assistance to the technical crew in day-to-day flying operations. Since he had represented Air Force in IX Antarctica expedition successfully, his assessment of situations in the air and on the ground were of tremendous help. His knowledge of Nav and allied systems being exceptional, he rendered full cooperation and support to other organisations participating in the expedition. Despite so many additional responsibilities, he flew a total of 99:35 hrs during the expedition.

On 01 Feb 92, the stablised engine of Mi-8 helicopter was not getting switched off as the HP link rod came out of spline shaft. Sqn Ldr Gautam, Flt Engr on board, switched off the engine with the help of LP Cock by timely ON/OFF operations, without allowing the HP Pump to run dry, showing apex of his professional capabilities and saving the fuel pump. The helicopter flew eight more sorties same day after rectification.

For his dedication, professionalism and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Ajay Gautam.

Sqn Ldr Jagdish Chandra has been in the Directorate of Eng J&M as AD Eng J&M (T) (Mirage-2000) Avionics since Aug 90.

During Dec 90, one Mirage-2000 had a serious incident of multiple degree failures on its Fly By Wire system. Sqn Ldr Chandra carried out an indepth analysis of the incident and clearly brought out need to carry out certain refinements in the system. The manufacturers agreed to undertake modifications at no cost to IAF. As a result, besides higher reliability and improved flight safety, a sum of appx Rs. 1.0 crore was saved.

Sqn Ldr Chandra in a professional manner explored the feasibility of indigenous overhaul of emergency oxygen components of Mirage aircraft which were hitherto sent abroad for repair/overhaul with long lead time.

He was also actively associated with the task of setting up of indigenous PCB repair facilities for avionics systems. He took this challenging task, which is a totally new area for IAF with utmost zeal. With the active progression of PCR repair facility at HAL (Korwa), seven types of Mirage PCBs can now be repaired indigenously. The indigenisation resulted in huge savings to the Air Force.

For his professionalism, devotion to duty, hard work and innovative approach, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Jagdish Chandra.

Sqn Ldr Biswas Bihari Misra has been on the posted strength of ASTE, Air Force with effect from May 1989.

During his stay at ASTE, Sqn Ldr Misra has been actively involved in the retrieval and rehabilitation of a very sophisticated piece of computerised equipment called Electro-Optical Tracking and Computing system (EOTAC). This vital equipment is required for trajectory analysis of aircraft and weapons. Restoring the EOTAC to a usable state was a multi-disciplinary task and lack of manufacturer's support had made it more difficult. He undertook the task with perseverance and determination and found indigenous alternatives to rectify the snags.

Sqn Ldr Misra, by his hard work and dedication, far beyond the call of his normal duties, in an intricate technical field far removed from his normal duties of flying, has managed to make the EOTAC equipment serviceable. He has thus, saved several crores of rupees in foreign exchange.

For his devotion to duty, thorough technical knowledge, intelligent application, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Biswas Bihari Misra.

Sqn Ldr Rajya Vardhan Ghosh has been on the posted strength of Air HQ since 26 Jan 89 and has been functioning as Assistant Director Co-ordination in procurement, provisioning and monitoring of certain critical areas.

With the collapse of erstwhile USSR, many hindrances had been faced by the IAF in obtaining timely supply of spares. One of the problems was outstanding payments against LPO invoices. Russians had been insisting that unless outstanding invoices were cleared, no further supply will be made to IAF. Sqn Ldr Ghosh with his logistics acumen geared up the entire function and identified problem areas, such as delayed Govt. sanctions or lacunae due to new payment/procurement procedures. He had analysed and prepared a very detailed brief for the defence delegation which visited Moscow during Jun 92. With all the difficulties identified and solution made, majority of the disputed payment problems were resolved and supply of spares for MiG23 and MiG-29 resumed.

In yet another case, with his critical analysis, Sqn Ldr Ghosh highlighted a very crucial aspect pertaining to long outstanding recoveries from Russians on account of HAL avionics fitted on AN-32 aircraft. The Russians had agreed in principle, a reduction of Rs. 50 crores due to overcharging.

For his distinguished services of very exceptional order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Rajya Vardhan Ghosh.

Sqn Ldr Pradeep Kumar Chopra is on the posted strength of MiG Operational Flying Training Unit, Air Force with effect from 16 Apr 90. He is working in Tech Flight of a Wing since the time of his arrival.

During the current year, Sqn Ldr Chopra worked as O i/c Tech Flight supporting MOFTU and a Squadron engaged in MOF training. With his professional expertise and personal example of hard work amounting to almost 10-11 hrs every day, he provided the leadership and motivation to his men to meet the challenge of time-bound task.

During the year, Tech Flight produced 179 ac including an ac which flew after nearly 5 yrs & two others which flew after 2 yrs. Besides the routine task of scheduled inspections, rectifications and training of his personnel, Sqn Ldr Chopra also headed a project group formed at this Wing for development of a Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) for methodical rectification of every conceivable snag. The document of nearly 500 pages containing Fault Tree and Flow Charts of all trades has been printed and has received high praise.

For his sincerity, sustained hard work, initiative and professional competence, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Pradeep Kumar Chopra.

Sqn Ldr Raj Karan Singh Shera has been on the posted strength of a fighter squadron in the IAF.

Sqn Ldr Shera is one of the few engineers trained in USSR on MiG-29 aircraft. He was posted to a combat Sqn, the first squadron to get converted to MiG-29. With his professional approach, he efficiently handled the complex task of setting up the first MiG-29 Squadron DSS. The proof of his efforts, especially in terms of planning and organising, was evident from the fact that within no time the squadron could commence operations in an organised fashion. He also was instrumental in the pioneering work of making 1st line servicing schedules and ORP procedures.

Due to inadequate spares support from USSR, the unserviceability of avionics spares had been affecting the serviceability of MiG29 Fleet, which had come down to 45%. At that stage, repair of avionics LRUs was thought of. The task was very challenging as no expertise, publications, circuit diagrams etc. were available. Inspite of these handicaps, Sqn Ldr RKS Shera accepted the challenge and started the repair work which was a total pioneering effort at field level. His dedicated effort resulted in recovery of LRUs. He also ventured into indigenisation of certain critical spares, thus saving huge amount of foreign exchange.

For his distinguished services of very exceptional order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr RKS Shera.

On 13 Oct 92, the hauling cable of a cable car carrying passengers to 'Timber Trail'

holiday resort had snapped and ten passengers on board got stranded in the middle of the valley. The Air Force was given the task to rescue the passengers from the cable car which was dangling at a height of 1500 ft above the river bed. A specially selected aircrew including JWO Yadav was tasked to undertake this hazardous mission. The only way, the tourists could be saved was by winching them up from the cable car. For this, the helicopter had to hover precariously close to the set of cables that ran above the cable car. The mission was fraught with danger, a slightest mistake on the part of any team member could end in disaster.

The helicopter was maneuvered to a position above the cable car, with a roof approx 2' x 2' in dimension. Absence of any visual reference, turbulence and strong winds made precision hovering over the car very difficult and hazardous. Hovering is tiring and doing the same repetitively ten times, 20 mts each, involved exceptional courage and professional skills. It was due to sheer professionalism and exceptional courage that all the ten passengers were rescued. This rescue operation was perhaps the first of its kind in the history.

For exceptional courage, professionalism of highest order, excellent team work and exemplary devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to JWO Brahmdev Yadav.

On 13 Oct 92, the hauling cable of a cable car carrying passengers to 'Timber Trail' holiday resort had snapped and ten passengers on board got stranded in the middle of the valley. The Air Force was given the task to rescue the passengers from the cable car which was dangling at a height of 1500 ft above the river bed. A specially selected aircrew including Sgt Santosh Kumar Sahu was tasked to undertake this hazardous mission. The only way, the tourists could be saved was by winching them up from the cable car. For this, the helicopter had to hover precariously close to the set of cables that ran above the cable car. The mission was fraught with danger, a slightest mistake on the part of any team member could end in disaster.

The helicopter was maneuvered to a position above the cable car, with a roof approx 2' x 2' in dimension. Absence of any visual reference, turbulence and strong winds made precision hovering over the car very difficult and hazardous. Hovering is tiring and doing the same repetitively ten times, 20 mts each, involved exceptional courage and professional skills. It was due to sheer professionalism and exceptional courage that all the ten passengers were rescued. The rescue operation was perhaps the first of its kind in the history.

For exceptional courage, professionalism of highest order, excellent team work and exemplary devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sgt SK Sahu.

On 13 Oct 92, the hauling cable of a cable car carrying passengers to 'Timber Trail' holiday resort had snapped and ten passengers on board got stranded in the middle of the valley. The Air Force was given the task to rescue the passengers from the cable car which was dangling at a height of 1500 ft above the river bed.

A specially selected aircrew including Sgt Dalai Gangadhar was tasked to undertake this hazardous mission. The only way, the tourists could be saved was by winching them up from the cable car. For this, the helicopter had to hover precariously close to the set of cables that ran above the cable car. The mission was fraught with danger, a slightest mistake on the part of any team member could end in disaster.

The helicopter was maneuvered to a position above the cable car, with a roof approx 2' x 2' in dimension. Absence of any visual reference, turbulence and strong winds made precision hovering over the car very difficult and hazardous. Hovering is tiring and doing the same repetitively ten times, 20 mts each, involved exceptional courage and professional skills. It was due to sheer professionalism and exceptional courage that all the ten passengers were rescued. The rescue operation was perhaps the first of its kind in the history.

For exceptional courage, professionalism of highest order, excellent team work and exemplary devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sgt Dalai Gangadhar.