Air Vice Marshal Vinod Patney, VrC was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 31 May 61. The officer is an outstanding pilot and took part in the 1965 and 1971 operations. He was awarded Vir Chakra in 1965 and Mentioned in Despatch in 1971. After successfully undergoing the Royal Air Force Staff College Course in UK in 1973, the officer was specially selected to be part of the newly formed Career Planning Cell at Air HQ. This was followed by his appointment as instructor at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment in 1976. He commanded a fighter squadron in 1977. The Air officer has held important appointments of Chief Operations Officer of a major fighter base and in the Defence Planning Staff in 1987. This was followed by a tenure as Deputy Air Attaché at the Indian High Commission in London, UK. On his return, he commanded a premier fighter base.

On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal he was appointed as Air Officer Commanding Jammu and Kashmir (AOC J&K) in Sep 94. As AOC J&K, the officer has been performing a difficult task in difficult circumstances with great skill and success. He is largely responsible for the maintenance of high morale, inter­service and service­civil relations and successful completion of all Air tasks in the most efficient manner.

Air Vice Marshal Vinod Patney has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal S Krishnaswamy, VM & Bar was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on 19 Dec 61. Throughout his career he has held a variety of key Command and Staff appointments with distinction. These include command of a fighter Squadron, a major Fighter Base, Director Air Staff Requirements and presently as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS) (Plans) at Air Headquarters.

A qualified Test Pilot and Fighter Combat Leader, the Air Officer was an instructor at Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment in 1975-78. He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1977. In 1978-80, placed in command of a Fighter Squadron he displayed unique leadership and brought up the Squadron to a high level of combat readiness. He was awarded Bar to VM in 1981. In 1990 the Air Officer was appointed Air Officer Commanding of a fighter base. An alumni of Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, the Air Officer was specially selected for a diplomatic assignment at the Indian High Commission in London, UK. On promotion, the Air Officer was selected to hold the appointment of ACAS (Plans). The Air Officer has successfully set up various Modernisation Programmes, namely, MiG upgrade, procurement of EW equipment and other Force Multipliers on a firm footing.

Air Vice Marshal Srinivasapurum Krishnaswamy VM & Bar has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal JHG Gadkar Adm was commissioned in the Administrative branch in Jun 62. He has held a variety of important field and staff appointments which include Command Works Officer of Western Air Command, Chief Administrative Officer of a major flying wing and Officer incharge Drafting Wing at Air Force Record Office. In 1993-94, he was posted as Senior Officerin­Charge Administration of Southern Air Command and was responsible for planning and layout of entire Command Headquarter Complex at Trivendrum. He ensured that all the essential requirements of the Command Complex were provisioned. This could be achieved only because of his personal involvement and liaison with State and Civil authorities as it involved acquisition of land, for integrated development of the only IAF complex in the State of Kerala.

The Air Officer was appointed as Director of Personnel (Airmen) at Air HQ in Aug 94. Within a short time he rationalised the manning levels of Airmen and Non Combatants (Enrolled) at all Air Force units. He was instrumental in reviewing and streamlining the policies on personnel in order to enhance the operational efficiency of the units. His deep involvement has resulted in speedy finalisation of non-effective benefits to the retired personnel. He also streamlined the civilian cadre management leading to greater work efficiency.

Air Vice Marshal Jayant Haribhau Gajenpra Gadkar has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal PN Bajaj was commissioned on 01 Dec 61 in the Engineering Branch of the IAF. A post­graduate in Industrial Management from Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, he is also an alumnus of National Defence College.

Air Vice Marshal PN Bajaj has held appointments as Chief Engineering Officer of a fighter Wing, Commandant Air Force Technical College, Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Jalahalli, Command Engineering Officer at HQ Western Air Command (WAG) and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS) Eng 'B' at Air HQ.

As ACAS Eng 'B' he meticulously planned setting up of the overhaul facilities for Mirage aircraft and its engines. The Air Officer was appointed Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at HQ WAC in Feb 94. He is responsible for technical and logistics management and support of entire WAC. He has been able to discharge his responsibilities competently and effectively, surpassing laid down targets for aircraft availability during all major and minor operational exercises and all round enhancement of operational capability without compromising flight safety.

Air Marshal Pran Nath Bajaj has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore N Thusu, VM was commissioned in the IAF on 25 Dec 64. He holds an A2 instructional category, he has over 6000 hours of accident free flying. In recognition of his exceptional flying skills, he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1987.

Air Commodore N Thusu was posted as Deputy Commandant of Air Force Academy on 03 Jan 94. He was quick to identify such areas of training faculties which required immediate attention. He proceeded to improve the quality and standards of training by closer monitoring of trainees and the methods of instructions. This resulted in significant decline in the suspension rate in the pilot's courses. A model class room with modern teaching aids was set up in the flying faculty and a much required Cafeteria was established for the other training faculties. The Flight Cadets' Mess received a face lift with kitchen being modernised and refurbished completely. He was instrumental in setting up the second Academy Sports Complex which now allows simultaneous participation by all trainees in various sporting disciplines. His professional contributions resulted in Air Force Academy winning the Best Flying Training establishment Trophy in 1994.

Air Commodore N Thusu, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore RPS Garcha, VM was commissioned on 18 Apr 1964 as a Pilot. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has been an Air Force Examiner. He was awarded VM in 1985 for skillful handling of an Airborne emergency while carrying the President of India. He was specially selected to train the pilots of a friendly country from 1986 to 1988.

He commanded an IL-76 Squadron for two years and was thereafter appointed Commanding Officer of the prestigious Air HQ Communication Squadron. He has held the highest category and instrument rating on eight different types of transport aircraft and is the only pilot to hold Cat 'A' on all three jet transport aircraft of the IAF. He has distinguished himself by his long, impeccable and unblemished flying career of over 11500 hrs of accident/incident free flying. He has often been called upon by DGCA to give his valuable recommendations in the investigation of major civil air accident. AVSM 1996

The Air Officer was appointed Air Officer Commanding of AF Station Palam in Jan 94. Under his stewardship the Air Force Day Parades 1994 and 1995 were a great success and every aspect of the activities involved showed his personal involvement and keenness to achieve the highest standards. He is also a keen sportsman and has given a boost to the already existing sports facilities at AF Station Palam,

Air Commodore Raj Pal Singh Garcha has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore MK Marathe, VSM & Bar was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering branch of the Indian Air Force on 03 Apr 63. He has been in the command of the Base Repair Depot at Ozar since Nov 93. Prior to his present appointment, he was Jt Director at Air HQ. He was awarded Vishisht Seva medal in 1984 for his contribution towards establishing MiG­21 overhaul line. Thereafter, he was awarded Bar to VSM in 1992 while working as Joint Director in­charge of MiG­29 and MiG-25 fleets at Air HQ.

Under the dynamic leadership and guidance of Air Cmde MK Marathe, the BRD has successfully developed indigenously the capital repair technology for MiG-23 variants and life extension schedules for MiG-23 and MiG-29 fleets. Besides achieving self-reliance, this effort will accrue a saving of more than Rs 2 Crores in foreign exchange to the Nation. With his vast experience on the MiG series aircraft and his innovative approach, he has overcome a serious problem of wing fuel leak of MiG­29 aircraft by indigenously developing the repair technology. He has also successfully carried out a large number of prototype modifications on MiG-23/27 aircraft. Air Commodore Madhukar Krishna Marathe VSM & Bar has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore ARK Pandrangi was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 01 Aug 64. He has held the important assignments of Commanding officer, Air Headquarters Communication Squadron and Directing Staff at the College of Defence Management. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and the College of Defence Management.

Air Commodore ARK Pandrangi was appointed the Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Yelahanka on 24 Dec 92. On taking over he found that the success rate in initial categorisation of trainee officers of AN-32 and Avro conversion courses was not upto the desired level. He ensured that the categorisation rate improved to above 98%. Further he ensured a substantial improvement in serviceability of the AN-32, Avro and Mi-8 aircraft. In 1994, his station won the Flight Safety and Maintenance Trophy (Helicopters) instituted by HQ Training Command.

The first ever International Air Show 'Avia India-93', was held at AF Station, Yelahanka during 15-18 Dec 93. He was able to create the infrastructure within a short span of 3 to 4 months and make the event a great success.

Air Commodore Ananta Ramakrishna Kumar Pandrangi has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore GM Vishwanathan, VM was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 25 Dec 64. The Air officer is a very experienced combat pilot with more than 4000 hours of accident free flying on single engined combat aircraft. During his career he has commanded a fighter squadron, a modern high-performance air defence radar unit and an all important fighter support airbase in the Kashmir valley.

As Air Officer Commanding of a major fighter base since Oct 93 he systematically analysed the role his airbase has to play during hostilities and peacetime. Directorate of Air Staff Inspection during their inspection assessed the Base and all the lodger units as highly satisfactory. The Base has flown/ recovered more than 10,000 sorties. The Base being nodal point for distribution of armament stores, was able to effect transfer of large quantity of munitions without any incident.

Air Commodore Vishwanathan also undertook the onerous task of constructing an Air Force School building with non­public funds to improve the educational facilities at the station.

Air Commodore GM Vishwanathan, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Group Captain Paramjit Singh Bhangu was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 22 Jan 72. An A-2 qualified flying instructor, he is also a Fighter Combat Leader. An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, he commanded a Fighter Squadron with distinction and was awarded VM in 1992. He was appointed Commandant of Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) on 02 Aug 93.

Since taking over command Gp Capt PS Bhangu made it a point to lead from front. His command came at a crucial stage when TACDE was in the process of changing its development and training patterns. This he did far beyond normal expectations. The result is that TACDE today runs a finely honed integrated schedule for meeting all the operational needs of the IAF. The MiG27 aircraft were inducted into the Unit in a record time without interrupting the training schedule of the ongoing courses.

The MiG-27 induction also demanded the drawing up of a fairly comprehensive war plan for TACDE. Gp Capt PS Bhangu with scant regard to personal comfort worked laboriously with appropriate sense of urgency to turn out the plan in 10 days. The plan was vindicated during the simulated Command exercise and worked magnificently.

Gp Capt PS Bhangu has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Kuldip Rai was commissioned as a Doctor on 28 Feb 61. The Air Officer has flown over 600 hrs on trainer aircraft and is a pioneer in the field of Aviation Medicine. He obtained a PG Diploma, and an MD in Aviation Medicine. He was appointed professor of Aviation Medicine under Bangalore University. He carried out over 25 Research Projects at Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) and was responsible for assessment and approval of indigenous anti-G suits for the fighter pilots.

During his tenure as Commandant, IAM, he was instrumental in upgrading the Simulator and introduction of a pattern of training for pilots flying Air Superiority Fighters to enhance their +Gz tolerance. He was the coordinator of the Commonwealth Aeronautics Research Council and also Indo­Soviet cooperation Programme in Space Medicine under the aegis of ICMR.

Air Marshal Kuldip Rai, during his tenure as principal Medical Officer, Training Command, has devoted his efforts towards improvements in the Professional Standards of Medical and Nursing Officers. Through his personal involvement, he has brought about substantial savings in local purchase of Medical Stores at all Stations and hospitals under Training Command.

Air Marshal Kuldip Rai has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore SK Malik was commissioned on 25 Dec 64 as a fighter pilot. He has over 4000 hours of accident free flying to his credit. He has commanded a premier fighter squadron and a wing. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, and Air War College of USA. He has held the appointment of Joint Director of Operations (Offensive) for three years at Air HQ.

Air Commodore SK Malik was appointed the Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Pathankot on 01 Oct 93. He carried out a thorough review of all the Non­Public Fund accounts, updated them and brought them to acceptable service standards. The Air Officer undertook the task of reassessing the operational deployments of Air Defence systems at Air Force Station, Pathankot. Many sites were personally reconnoitered by him and the most optimum ones selected which later proved to be highly successful during the annual WAC major exercise. During his tenure, a major operational work of runway resurfacing was executed with top quality within a record duration of six months.

The average aircraft serviceability improved from 65% in 1992-93 to 74%. The Station was awarded the 'Best Administration Trophy' for the year 1993-94.

Air Commodore Sunil Kumar Malik has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.