Gp Capt Satinder Lal Sud had the honour of Commanding a prestigious Trisonic strategic reconnaissance Sqn from 23 Oct to 13 Jan 92.

On taking over as CO, he undertook the task of training pilots to ensure ops capabilities of the Sqn. He achieved this single handedly by conducting lectures and performing dual checks. He had four fully ops pilots available to him in about one and half months time.

He personally air tested all aircraft returned from Russia after MR and ensured quality control. He involved himself in technical matters and ensured that all lifed components were changed with Cat 'D' rotables on the ac going to Russia for MR thus increasing his bank of rotables and saving shipment charges.

For the Sqn detts, minimum requirement of transport support was two IL-76 ac which was reduced to one by removing inertial-nav planning equipment from the Pelong vehicle and installing the same on a trolley which could be loaded in an AN-32 ac.

Photo machine, an important equipment for strategic reconnaissance Sqn, was unserviceable for want of spare parts from Russia. He persistently explored the market for fabricating the parts indigenously. He succeeded in doing so and put the machine into fully serviceable condition.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and management skill of high order, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Group Captain Satinder Lal Sud.

Group Captain Arvind Kumar Nagalia, VSM has been in command of a front line squadron since 06 Mar 89. The Squadron is equipped with two types of aircraft, the Jaguar and the Canberra.

He has been personally instrumental in recovery of a Jaguar aircraft after a serious engine problem while doing a dual check. The aircraft had engine surge in flight resulting in breaking off the LP compressor blades. By his exemplary airmanship in handling a serious emergency, he effected a safe recovery of the aircraft.

The average flying increased on the Jaguar and Canberra from 0900h per year to about 1200h per year respectively. By systematic training and meticulous planning, he has increased the operational potential of his unit. The unit won a number of trophies in Command Gunnery meets.

Being a maritime unit, his leadership and sense of involvement has resulted in successful commencement of Maritime Night Strike Syllabus and a 100% operational status of his pilots.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and qualities of leadership, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Gp Capt AK Nagalia.

Wg Cdr Dushyant Singh Ahluwalia has been on the posted strength of a Squadron since Aug 91. He has flown 4800 hrs on various transport aircraft including 21 hrs on AN-12.

On 05 Apr 92, Wg Cdr Ahluwalia was on a supply dropping sortie to Gapshan DZ. After successful completion of the drop, when close to Leh at an altitude of 8 km, a loud bang was heard from the starboard side followed by a judder. It was reported that number 3 engine was emitting thick black smoke. He then, without undue haste, ordered feathering of number 3 engine. As soon as it was completed, the internal fire warning light of number 4 engine appeared. The flight engineer sought permission to use number 4 engine fire extinguisher. When faced with this grave situation, Wg Cdr Ahluwalia showing remarkable coolness and presence of mind, restrained the flight engineer from operating the fire extinguishers. He instead immediately reduced power on No. 4 engine. There was no visual sign of fire on number 4 engine. He then came overhead Leh and made a correct approach and safe landing on three engines. On subsequent examination, number 3 engine was found to have seized with bearing failure. Any delay in feathering would have resulted in disintegration of the engine.

Throughout the period of emergency, Wg Cdr Ahluwalia displayed cool and competent presence of mind and qualities of airmanship. All this resulted in the saving of a valuable aircraft and precious lives.

For his courage and exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr DS Ahluwalia.

Wing Commander Mandava Ramakrishna assumed Command of a helicopter unit on 21 Jan 89 and immediately dedicated himself whole heartedly for 'OP PAWAN' in Srilanka. He personally flew 440 missions and successfully carried out live underslung operations of an Army Chetak helicopter shot down earlier under LTTE fire from Mettur jungles on 30 Oct 89. His personal attention to minute details, sound advance planning, initiative and above all exemplary courage as a leader enabled the unit to provide admirable support to IPKF throughout the difficult and trying conditions of "OP Pawan".

In May 90, during the relief operations in Andhra Pradesh, he not only worked round the clock flying and co-ordinating the entire relief operation involving seven Mi-8 and six Chetaks, but also flew 15 to 20 sorties every day in hazardous and adverse weather conditions. Again in Jun 91, Wg Cdr Ramakrishna led two helicopters in marginal and adverse weather to provide relief in tidal waves affected islands of Maldives rendering yeoman's service to the island nation of Maldives.

During the tenure of three years, Wg Cdr Ramakrishna has spared no effort in maintaining high operational status of all aircrew of the unit. His consistent had work and unstinted dedication has enabled the Sqn to maintain 100% categorization at all times. He was instrumental in achieving the Best Helicopter Unit trophy for 1989.

His excellence in professionalism, exemplary dedication, tenacity, outstanding leadership and a rare capacity to meet all operational tasks have been of highest order and in keeping with the best traditions of Indian Air Force.

For his professional competence and excep tional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr M Ramakrishna.

Wg Cdr Pushpendra Singh Diwaniyan has been commanding one of the first OSA-AK-M air defence squadrons of the IAF with effect from 14 May 90. He has flown 6600 hrs on various aircraft, all accident/incident free.

While posted as Flight Commander in a Helicopter unit during Nov-Dec 85 in 'OP MEGHDOOT', Wg Cdr PS Diwaniyan carried out 1000 hazardous missions to deliver over 1500 tons of vital supplies like guns, ammunition, rations and medicines to various helipads in Siachen Glacier considered one of the highest DZs/helipads in the world. During Nov 85, he carried out the first ever successful paradrop of eight snow-mobikes to high helipads like Chandan, Jawala, G-3, Kumar, Sai-la etc. in a very close proximity to enemy locations in situations invariably similar to warlike conditions due to frequent enemy shelling/fire, from altitudes ranging from 18000 to 21000 ft. well above the ceiling of Mi-17 helicopters. This resulted in enhanced operational mobility of the Army patrols between posts, near the actual line of control, on the Siachen Glacier.

Ever since taking up the assignment as OC of OSA-AK-M squadron, the officer has gone methodically and with a great zeal in moulding his unit into a viable operational squadron capable of meeting its assigned air defence task.

Wg Cdr Diwaniyan has had the unique distinction of being parade commander of the Air Force Day investiture parades, the President's Colour presentation parade and a number of Guard of Honours presented to foreign Heads of States.

For his courage and exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Pushpendra Singh Diwaniyan.

Squadron Leader Anil Chaudhari is on the posted strength of a Squadron of Air Force wef May 89. He is an A-2 QFI, FSL and IRIE.

During his tenure of three years in the unit, he has maintained an accident-free record and performed the duties of Flight Commander, IRIE and Sqn FSL.

After he became the first FSL on type in Feb 90, he immediately got down to the task of compiling data for calculating the firing parameters on Type. The important values of CL/Alpha for type were not available. TACDE, AF also could not provide the much needed information. Sqn Ldr Chaudhari took it on himself to work out these parameters. He resorted to using the MiG-23 figures and started correcting them after detailed analysis of results through plotted armament scores and file debriefs. His painstaking efforts bore fruits when the unit participated in the EAC Annual Gunnery Meet and was declared overall EKLAVYA champion for the year 1991-92 winning three of the four events. The calculating parameters were immediately transmitted to all type operating units so that the IAF standards could also improve.

He then got down to the task of Combat Training of the pilots. He introduced the Defensive Manoeuvering Concept on type, carried out trials and rewrote the entire briefing guide and circulated it to the type operators for Interdiction patterns, Strike Tactics and Close Air Support with 2, 3 and 4 ac missions. For his exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Anil Chaudhari.

Sqn Ldr R Mahadevan has been working as a Senior Flight Commander of the Sqn since 15 Jul 91. He is fully operational on MiG Bis aircraft with 876:00 hrs on type and has an unblemished record of over 2100:00 hrs of total flying.

On 11 Oct 91, he was authorized to fly a routine procedures sortie on Type-75 ac C-2116. The initial part of the flight was uneventful. After 12 minutes of flying, he heard a loud bang and the aircraft developed severe vibrations. This was soon followed by the Fire Warning coming ON. The aircraft generator and hydraulic systems failed. The engine parameters shot well beyond the permissible limits. Sqn Ldr Mahadevan was thus faced with multiple emergencies within a short span of time. The aircraft condition was fast deteriorating and the pilot was faced with the most difficult decision to eject.

However, the pilot with single­minded devotion to duty decided to recover the crippled aircraft on residual thrust. He analysed the emergency promptly and recovered the aircraft safely. He thus displayed professional competence of a very high order in tackling complex emergencies. The pilot not only prevented the loss of a very expensive aircraft but also enriched the service with valuable information with regards to complex aircraft emergencies.

For his acts of courage and exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr R Mahadevan.

Sqn Ldr Surya Bir Singh is on the posted strength of Basic Flying Training School since 20 Jun 91, as a Flying Instructor.

On 20 Feb 92, Sqn Ldr SB Singh was detailed for an instructional general handl ing sortie on Deepak aircraft No. x 2550. During the process of demonstrating a loop to the trainee, severe engine vibrations were experienced, while the aircraft was travel ing vertically with air-speed rapidly reducing. Sqn Ldr SB Singh calmly reduced throttle and recovered the aircraft from the adverse attitude, inspite of being hampered by the severely vibrating instrument panel. Attempt of reducing the engine vibrations by adjusting mixture, resulted in engine switch off, vibrations and propeller coming to dead stop, instead of wind milling.

Sqn Ldr SB Singh kept the engine shut at great personal risk and decided to carry out a dead stick landing. The situation in terms of height and distance to runway at that moment was critical.

As a consequence of an excellent and precise judgment, expert and deft handling of the aircraft, Sqn Ldr SB Singh executed a copy book dead stick landing. During the entire emergency, he kept the inexperienced flight cadet engrossed by calling out the actions in the cockpit. Sqn Ldr SB Singh displayed exceptional qualities of airmanship and professionalism in handling the emergency by safely force landing the aircraft without any damage or injury to its occupants.

For his acts of courage and exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr SB Singh.

Flight Lieutenant Chow Ongpee Maunglang was posted to MiG Operational Flying Training Unit with effect from 09 Sep 91 from a Type 75 Squadron. From his arrival, he applied himself with determination and zeal to promote flying in this unit. Despite his youthful years, he displayed a rare maturity of purpose and design.

On 03 Jun 92, while rejoining after a PI sortie, his canopy exploded in the air. Silvers of perspex cut his face and shattered his cheek-bones, causing excessive bleeding. Despite the pain and shock, the officer retained his presence of mind and initiated an ejection. Though the ejection was successful, the canopy minus the perspex bubble did not separate cleanly. Grievously injured and tumbling down through the air, Flt Lt Maunglang did not panic but decided to fight on. He operated the manual separation lever and decided to eject through the broken canopy perspex. He achieved this and then also opened manual D ring to ensure that his parachute would deploy. Unfortunately, exiting through the canopy, he was hit on the head by the solid frame, causing fatal injuries. The officer fought to the very last breath.

For his acts of courage and exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal (Posthumously) to Flt Lt Chow Ongpee Maunglang.

Flt Lt Ravindra D Kudari is on the posted strength of a Squadron since 14 Oct 91. He has flown a total of 683 hrs. on different types of aircraft. His total solo experience on Canberra aircraft is 112 hrs.

On 22 Nov 91, while on a sortie and coming to land, he lowered undercarriage and commenced descent and noticed two 'reds' only on the undercarriage indicator and the main hydraulic pressure had dropped to zero. He operated the hand pump to build up hydraulic pressure to obtain three greens, but there was no response. Coupled with this, his starboard generator failure warning light also came on. He was advised by the SFS to initiate climb to 6000 feet and take appropriate actions. When all attempts to lower the undercarriage failed, he was told to prepare for a wheels up landing on the runway. During the 50 minutes or so, Flt Lt Kudari remained calm, composed and displayed professionalism of a very high order. After touch down, he controlled the direction in such a manner that the aircraft came to a halt on the runway centre line. The aircraft sustained least possible damage considering the fact that it was EW modified Canberra aircraft in which direction keeping is very difficult. Any error of judgment on the part of the pilot could have resulted in disastrous consequences. Throughout the period of about 58 minutes, while handling multiple emergencies, Flt Lt Kudari remained composed, calm and displayed high degree of professional competence resulting in not only saving the lives of the aircrew but also a valuable aircraft of the Air Force.

For his presence of mind and exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Flt Lt RD Kudari

Flight Lieutenant Rajeev Kumar Chouhan is on the posted strength of a Helicopter Unit, Air Force since 09 May 90. He holds B Green Cat/IR on Mi-8 and has flown 1550 hrs of accident/incident-free flying to date.

On 11 Feb 92, Flt Lt Chouhan was detailed to undertake Air Maintenance Ex MON, to various DZs of Assam Rifles in Nagaland Area. During the course of Air Maintenance sortie from MON to Chaklanyshu on giving the command to drop the load over the DZ, Flt Lt Chouhan suddenly experienced severe vibrations followed by partial loss of control of the helicopter. One of the parachutes had separated from the load and had entangled in the tail. Sensing the emergency and seriousness of the situation, Flt Lt Chouhan kept cool and controlled the helicopter. Maintaining presence of mind, he decided to put the aircraft down on the helipad PSEAO in the immediate vicinity at an altitude of 1750 meters. During the course of landing on the helipad, the parachute chords further entangled in the tail rotor causing damage to tail rotor gear box to a very great extent resulting in further loss of control and direction of the helicopter.

Flt Lt Chouhan, however, continued to remain unperturbed and very successfully put the helicopter down at the helipad without any loss of life.

For his acts of courage and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Flt Lt RK Chouhan.

On 13 Oct 92, the hauling cable of 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 of cable car which was dangling at a height of 1500 ft. above the river bed.

A specially selected aircrew including Flt Lt P Upadhaya 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 as the slightest mistake on the part of any team member could end in disaster.

The helicopter was manoeuvred 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 respectively ten times, 20 mts. each, involved exceptional courage and professional skills. It was due to sheer professionalism and exceptional courage that all ten passengers were rescued. This rescue operation was perhaps the first of its kind in the history.

For exceptional courage, professional of highest order, excellent team work and exemplary devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Flt Lt P Upadhaya.