Wing Commander Ajit Singh was posted as the Commanding officer of a helicopter unit on 02 May 1994.

On 15 June 95, Wing Commander Ajit Singh was called upon to airlift three casualties from Masimpur. One of these causalities was an Army Major who had a bullet embedded in his spinal cord and his lower body was already paralyzed. He needed immediate attention of a neurosurgeon. Wing Commander Ajit Singh took off from the base at 1630 hrs under marginal weather conditions. After landing at the Masimpur helipad he was informed that due to unstable condition of the patient, the take off had to be delayed. Realizing that the patient may not survive the road journey, he decided to wait even though it had become dark and the weather had deteriorated. By the time the patients arrived at about 2045 hrs, the entire area was under the grips of severe thunderstorm activity. As any further delay would have almost certainly proved fatal for the patients, Wing Commander Ajit Singh took off from the unlit helipad in total darkness. In spite of heavy odds and extremely trying conditions, he safely landed his helicopter at Khumbhigram at 2120 hrs accomplishing safe evacuation of the causalities.

Wing Commander Ajit Singh Slaich, thus, displayed courage, determination and dedication with utter disregard to his personal safety.

Wing Commander Harjinder Pal Singh Natt is commanding the Mi-17 Helicopter Unit located at 30 Wing, Air Force since 10 May 1993.

During September, States of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh were extensively affected by devastating floods. Helicopters were pressed into service to bring succor to the flood victims. On 12 September, 1995 there was massive landslide, north of Kulu, wherein scores of civilians were trapped in the fast flowing Beas River. These people had lost all hope of survival. On being informed about this, Wg Cdr Natt went along with Wg Cdr Mann, (Commanding Officer Cheetah Dett) and rushed to the site in a Cheetah helicopter. Proximity of electric and telephone cables precluded the chances of rescue. Under these circumstances, Wg Cdr Natt alighted himself on a large rock and the helicopter returned to Kulu for removal of doors in order to facilitate rescue.

As the helicopter returned, Wg Cdr Natt got into the act and he physically pulled out two survivors from the fast flowing Beas, standing on the skids of the helicopter. While doing so, Wg Cdr Natt showed phenomenal presence of mind in planning and executing this act of bravery. The situation was always dangerous but he hung on, in the presence of thousands of stranded people, who gave a standing ovation during and after the mission. Besides personal achievement, this act is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Air Force and vindicated the motto – “The Angels from the Skies”.

Wing Commander Harjinder Pal Singh, thus, displayed courage, determination and dedication with utter disregard to his personal safety.

Wg Cdr RS Mann (15434) F (P) is on the posted strength of 131 FAC Flight since 17 Jul 1995 as the Commanding Officer.

On 06 Sep 95 he was tasked to operate a detachment of three helicopters from Manali to carry out rescue and relief duties for the stranded personnel of SASE which had been severely damaged due to floods. He along with his other pilots of the unit undertook the task in a professional manner. During the detachment period, on 12 Sep 1995 at 1330 hrs Wg Cdr Mann received a message from Deputy Commissioner, Kulu that there had been a massive landslide 4 km north of Kulu and that there was a requirement to carry out a aerial recce to assess the damage to life and property. Wg Cdr Mann realized the gravity of the situation and got airborne in Cheetah helicopter with Wg Cdr Natt. On reaching the site he found that the landslide had taken place in a bowl due to the river changing its course. There were electric and telephone cables criss crossing the entire bowl. During the recce he observed two survivors in the river on submerged boulders. He attempted to land the helicopter on a small island between the fast flowing rivers to rescue them but could not do so due to large boulders, tall trees and wires. He quickly assessed the situation and decided that the only way was to physically pull out the two stranded persons for which the helicopter doors had to be removed. Wg Cdr RS Mann picked up Wg Cdr Natt from the island and flew towards the survivors. The helicopter was very carefully and precisely hovered near the survivors and then slowly inched forward and lowered with its skid touching the water. Wg Cdr Natt stood on the skid holding the pilot's seat and pulled up the survivors into the helicopter from the fast flowing river. This was achieved in the third attempt. Another circuit was carried out and the second survivor was pulled out in a similar manner.

Wing Commander Ravindera Singh Mann thus displayed high level of professional competence and courage of high order beyond the call of duty.