Air Vice Marshal Manek Bomanshaw Madon VM & Bar (7681) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the IAF as a pilot on 28 Oct 63. He has commanded a frontline fighter squadron, been the Chief Operations Officer at Srinagar and commanded a premier fighter base. He has also held demanding staff appointments like the Air-I of an Operational Command and a Project Manager in the MoD. He is an alumnus of the National Defence College. He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry in 1971 war and a Bar to it for distinguished service in 1985. He has almost 5000 hours of accident free flying. In every appointment the Air Officer has acquitted himself with credit.

AVM MB Madon has been the Commandant of the Air Force Academy since December 1995. During his tenure, the Alma Mater of all the Air Force pilots and non-technical ground duty officers has undergone a sea change with an aesthetically appealing face­lift and a quantum leap in the standard of training. The cadets who graduate from here are enthused with a fire born out of conviction and dedication that only a thorough professional can inspire. In all aspects of training, from flying to class-room activity to extra­curriculum fora, he has put his indelible stamp of uncompromising quality. During his tenure, all training has been successfully completed within the stipulated time frame regardless of natural or other constraints and hurdles. Providing leadership by personal, example has been his hallmark. With the induction of trainees of technical courses, the Air Force Academy today is racing towards its ultimate aim of becoming an Air University. Complicated and sophisticated joint training programme were drawn out within a short span of two months without compromising on the standards of ongoing training. This task was meticulously completed by AVM Madon with attention to every detail.

Air Vice Marshal Manek Bomanshaw Madon VM & Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal DC Nigam (7938) was commissioned on 07 Oct 63 in the Aeronautical Engineering Branch of the IAF. He has since held many prestigious appointments such as Chief Engineering Officer at Barielly, Chief Officer at 9 RRU, Chief Systems Officer at Radar and Communication Project Office (RCPO),

DMPQ & A at Air HQs and the

officiating Director General, RCPO. He is a Post graduate from Greenfield Institute of Technology, UK and Graduate of the National Defence College. For his distinguished service of a high order he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 1985.

Air Vice Mshl Nigam is the Global Coordinator of Integrated Material Management Online System (IMMOLS) project since 26 May 97. He has been associated with 1MMOLS project since its inception and has been closely involved with the drawing up of the contract:, setting up of suitable working environment, for the TCS consultants, maintaining close co­ordination between plethora of agencies in the Ministry, scientific, audit and finance organisations etc. His efforts resulted in completion of the System Study Phase with minimal delay.

During the study phase AVM Nigam also ensured that the Wide Area Network (WAN) for Online information requirement was changed to be based on Satellite Communication where the P & T circuits and tropo communications were found to be suboptimal solutions. The change in proposal required allocation of space segments, additional financial outlays and approval and coordination with a plethora of agencies. The processing of this change and related cases was entirely done by AVM Nigam and his personal contribution is commendable.

Air Vice Marshal DC Nigam, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Satinder Singh Dhillon, VSM (7980) AE (M), was commissioned on 17 AVSM 1999 Oct. 63 in the Engineering branch of the IAF. He completed the Flying course in 1971 and has the rare distinction of being an engineer as well as a fighter pilot. He has held prestigious appointments of Chief Engineering Officer at Ambala, Command Engineering Officer at Western Air Command and Air Officer Commanding of a Base Repair Depot. For the distinguished service rendered by him in the past, he was commended by the Chief of Air Staff in 1977 and awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1981.

AVM SS Dhilion was appointed Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Western Air Command on 30 Jun 97. With his foresight, indepth professional, knowledge, accurate planning and perseverance, he was able to provide a now thrust and direction to the personnel at field units. He built them into a cohesive team to work dedicatedly towards the operational preparedness of Western Air Command and hence the Indian Air Force. The officer worked zealously towards 'Self­Help' approach to maintain optimum serviceability of Air force equipment and encouraged units to undertake repairs on indigenous substitution of modules otherwise considered beyond their purview. This not only improved their operational status but also resulted in a substantial saving to the tune of about 40 lakhs during the year 1997-98.

The officer formed “Think Tank" concept and initiated “Quality Audit" programme to improve work culture and maintenance hygiene of field units. Due to his dedicated and selfless professional approach, Western Air Command was able to maintain very high serviceability of aircraft fleet, AD Radars and other maintenance support services throughout the year. During Exercise 'Trishul-98', the Command maintained a very high serviceability of 98% for all aircraft and near 100% for radars.

Air Vice Marshal Gulshan Kumar Kwatra was commissioned on 06 April 1964 in Engineering Branch of the 1AF. He performed creditably during 1971 War for which he was Mentioned in Despatches. He has held appointments of Chief Engineering Officer at Uttarlai and at Bidar, Chief of Planning and Chief of Aircraft at a Base Repair Depot and staff appointments at Air Headquarters. He has also been on deputation to the Botswana Defence Force.

For his distinguished service he was also awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Presently, he is appointed as Director Maintenance Plans and Quality Assurance at Air Headquarters since 01 Nov 96, where he has analysed numerous maintenance problems and initiated prompt remedial measures. His efforts have resulted in enhancing flight safety, streamlining maintenance practices/ giving impetus to indigenisation and improving work efficiency. He has been responsible for speedy introduction of quality control measures which resulted in ensuring high cleanliness standard of aircraft fuels. His singular involvement in introduction of measures to streamline the process of technical defect reporting and investigation have contributed immensely in taking timely preventive measures. He has also been responsible for successful and timely completion of trials on cocooning of Pechora equipment, which enabled the 1AF to save valuable equipment life, reduce maintenance expenditure and maintain combat equipment in operational readiness.

His other significant contributions include pioneering work towards recognition of military aviation skills for entry to civil aviation sector, measures to overcome tech cadre shortage, contribution towards retention of specialised skills and introduction of modem training facilities for skill development in handling state of art weapon systems. Air Vice Marshal Kwatra is also a fellow of Aeronautical Society of India and member of various National Advisory Panels and Committees.

Air Vice Marshal Gulshan Kumar Kwatra, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of exceptional.

Air Vice Marshal Jagnandon Kumar Pathania VSM was commissioned in Administrative branch on 21 Dec 63. During his career of over 35 years he has acquitted himself commendably in a broad spectrum of challenging assignments which include Chief Operations Officer of an operational Unit, Joint Director of Air Staff inspection, Chief Administrative Officer of the largest transport base, Director of Pay, Pension and Regulations and Commandant, Air Force Administrative College. For distinguished service of a high order he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1985. He was also Mentioned in Despatches in the 1971 war.

As Operations Officer of an Air Defence Directions Centre, he displayed a very high level of professional

skill and contributed effectively to the Air Defence of the nation, both in times of peace and war. Due to his professional excellence he was selected for the advanced intercept course on Mirage­2000 aircraft in France. As a Chief Admin Officer, the officer performed exceedingly well and contributed substantially in improving operational efficiency and the quality of life of the personnel. As Director of Pay, Pension & Regulations, he was instrumental in settling the long outstanding issues in pay fixation, restoration

of technical pay and

sanction of field allowances. As Commandant, Air Force Admin College, the officer was able to innovate new ideas to enhance the quality of training. The college was adjudged as the best ground training institution during his tenure.

In Jan 97, he took over as SOA, Central Air Command. He set out with the task with a clear vision to ensure that efficient administrative cover was provided to the units under the Central Air Command. He revised policies in all disciplines of administration and gave special emphasis on work services, non-public funds and personnel/discipline. matters. He was singularly responsible for organising Defence Exhibition at Lucknow In Mar 90 which proved a great success.

Air Vice Marshal Jagnandon Kumar Pathania VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Vancharla Anjaneyulu (8609) Accounts was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 27 Jun 64.

AVM Anjaneyulu was appointed as Director of Accounts at Air HQ in Feb 96 and is the senior most officer of the Accounts Branch in the IAF. He brought about a significant change in the philosophy of accounting services by making it committed to the operational needs. His perserveance resulted in the setting up a hi-tech computer system at AFCAO which had been awaiting clearance from MoD for many years.

Successful exploitation of Op Network system for computerized data transfer of monthly pay entitlement to field units has resulted in the saving of cost and time involved in a manual movement of pay slips through airmen escorts. He was instrumental in obtaining MoD clearance for authorization of cash handling and disbursement by warranted ranks of all trades. Meticulous forward planning resulted in timely implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations. His involvement saw significant reduction in the non performing assets of Non Public Funds of the IAF. In a career spanning over three decades, the Air Officer has held a number of prestigious appointments including two tenures as Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Central Accounts Officer and many important staff appointments at Air HQ.

The dedication, vision, conceptual ability and professionalism of AVM Anjaneyulu have proved highly beneficial to the Service. Air Vice Marshal Vancharla Anjaneyulu has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Harprakash Singh Sidhu, VSM (11051) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 04 June 1967 in the fighter stream. He was awarded VSM in 1987 whilst in command of a MiG­21 Bis Squadron, Since then he has held the appointments of Senior Instructor (Air) at DSSC, Station Commander at AF Station, Sirsa and Air­I at HQ Western Air Command.

As Station Commander Sirsa he established and oversaw the successful conduct, of an MiG Operational Flying Training course to overcome the back lot in the IAF. In 1993, his Station was inundated with flood waters. By quick reaction and enterprise, he led his men to save service property worth crores and rapidly restore high operational status. This was recognised by DASI as well as with the award of the WAC trophy. As Air­I at WAC, he was instrumental in twice drawing up the Command Operational Instructions and for successful conduct of major operational exercises and flypasts.

Air Commodore Sidhu was appointed Air Officer Commanding of AF Station, Bareilly on 01 Apr 97. Using his vast experience, he quickly reviewed operational plans and infrastructure to upgrade them for improved efficiency and productivity. Personally supervising the utilisation of limited funds, he ensured implementation of an optimal maintenance programme and improved welfare services. The Station had extensive growth of vegetation causing high bird activity and was becoming a flight safety hazard.

Air Commodore Sidhu developed innovative methods to control vegetation and bird activity, leading to improved flight safety. Despite short notice, he oversaw the successful conduct of an adhoc Type Qualified Flying Instructors Course (Helicopters) to meet the critical shortfall of instructors.

Air Commodore Harprakash Singh Sidhu, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Sudhir Sah VM (11648) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a pilot on 02 Jun 68. A Qualified Flying Instructor, and Senior Instructor (Air) at Defence Services Staff College, he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal for exemplary professional skill while commanding a helicopter unit. In the 1971 conflict he was Mentioned-in Despatches. He has commanded an Air Force Station and also led an IAF training team to Mauritius.

He was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer of HQ AOC J&K on 09 May 97 where his responsibility has been air Maintenance in Siachen Glacier for “Op Meghdoot". During 1997 winter, unprecedented bad weather and heavy enemy shelling depleted stocks at some posts to critical levels. On 04 Nov 97 he flew to a high altitude post, despite heavy enemy shelling to deliver urgent supplies. Subsequent1y, he flew to another crucial post and landed back at Base Camp while it was being shelled. His leadership raised confidence levels and morale of young aircrew and also helped in formulating Standard Operating Procedures for flying during enemy shelling. His managerial skills, planning ability, team development, dedication and devotion to duty maximised Air Maintenance. For Op Meghdoot, stocks at all posts were substantially built up in record time.

Air Commodore Sudhir Sah VM has thus rendered distinguished service of exceptional order.

Air Commodore BASUDEV BANERJEE (11654) Air Commodore Basudev Banerjee (11654) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Fly­ AVSM 1999 ing Branch on 02 Jun 68. He has been Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Force Station, Yelahanka since 12 May 97.

As AOC of a premier Flying Training School (FTS) he has been responsible for imparting training to young pilots and navigators of the IAF on four different types of twin engine transport aircraft and helicopters. Despite several challenges, Air Commodore Basudev Banerjee has ensured very high standard of training and flight safety consistently over past eighteen months.

In addition to his abovementioned responsibilities, he was also given the enormous task of conducting prestigious international Aerospace Exposition Aero-India 98 in December 98. He was entrusted with great responsibilities of building the required infrastructure in a brief time frame, upgrade the flight safety environment including modern navigation equipment, augment administrative infrastructure and formulate methodology for flying display. Air Commodore Banerjee, by his perspective planning, conceptual skill and untiring efforts achieved the herculean task and made Aero-India 98 a great success. The air show earned an international appreciation.

Air Commodore Banerjee has earlier commanded a helicopter unit in offensive role in the desert sector. He also commanded a Helicopter Base in the Western Sector. He has held important staff appointments at Air Headquarters and instructional assignments in the Defence Services Staff College.

Air Commodore Basudev Banerjee has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Gurnam Singh Chaudhary VSM (11870) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the fighter stream of IAF on 29 Dec 1968. During his long service, he has excelled in every field gaining fully ops status on a number of fighter air craft. He is a graduate of the Experimental Test Pilot School and also an alumni of the Defence Services Staff College. He commanded a frontline strike squadron with distinction. As a test pilot he has been involved in the test flying for some very important projects. For his distinguished service as Joint Director, Air Staff Requirement he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 1992.

He was appointed Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Tezpur in May 97. The major task of his Station has been to impart operational, training to young fighter AVSM 1999-2000 pilots of the IAF. With his able leadership, this task has been achieved admirably. This is borne out by the quality of officers who completed their training at the Station. He is a dynamic leader whose zealous application of managerial skills was instrumental in bringing up the airfield environment. High grading achieved by the units under his command during inspections by Directorate­ of Air Staff Inspection reflects the professional standards and excellence the station achieved under the dynamic leadership of Air Commodore Chaudhary. With personal, involvement and optimization of resources, he has controlled expenditure of Public funds, improved the functioning of NonPublic funds and MES works services. He has been instrumental in initiation of a large number of welfare activities on the station to improve the quality of life and to keep the morale of the personnel high at a place badly affected by internal security problems.

Air Commodore Gurnam Singh Chaudhary VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Cmde Bhan was posted to Directorate of Ops as Joint Director Technical Operations (JDTO) from Apr 95 to Dec 97. He immersed himself in the complexities of the job and involved himself in tackling numerous problems of air operations faced by fighter squadrons. He took active part in reviewing and formulating the Air Force Doctrine which was being formulated for the first time. He drew on his vast experience and conceptual skills to update orders and instructions, review the course syllabus of TACDE, establish the Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumented Range at Jamnagar, and tackle the myriad of problems that arose with regard to the management of the Ground Attack fleet. During the year 1995-96 there had been a significant increase in aircraft accident rate due to ricochets in air to ground front gun firing, which forced the IAF to temporari1y suspend the front gun firing. Air Cmde Bhan initiated a thorough review of the attack patterns and showed rare initiative in seeking information from other air forces on the design of targets, attack patterns etc. He then formulated definitive recommendations for remedial measures to avoid ricochets. As a result, front gun firing was resumed. He was instrumental in starting Armament Training Camps for fighter squadrons which have gone a long way in improving the Operational capability of the IAF. During his tenure as JDTO he held Officiating charge as D Ops Offensive for over a year, but despite discharging two onerous functions simultaneously he did not let the quality of his work suffer and set an example for others to follow.

Air Commodore Shiv Kumar Bhan VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Murli Sundaram (12369) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the fighter: stream of Flying (Pilot) branch of the Indian Air Force on 13 Jun 70. Through out his long and distinguished career, the Air Officer has excelled in every field, gaining fully ops status on MiG­21 variants, Hunters, Jaguars and Mirages. He is a qualified flying instructor holding A­1 category. During his tenure at the Flying Instructors School, he was instrumental

in

prototype evaluation and induction of current generation of trainers in the Training Command. He commanded a Jaguar squadron with distinction. Prior to his current appointment, he worked as Director Operations (Joint Planning) at Air Headquarters. He successfully planned IndoUS Cooperation meetings and the conduct of Aero India 96 at Bangalore.

He was appointed Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Chabua in Mar 97. The major task of his station is to impart op training to budding fighter pilots of the 1AF. With his concerted efforts, all the tasks were completed on time. With zealous application of his professional acumen, managerial skills and untiring perseverance, he has brought about a sea change at the base in the airfield environment and maintenance practices.

With personal involvement and optimization of resources, he has brought all around eco­nomy in expenditure. To over come acute shortage of accommodation at his station, he has started a temporary housing scheme that has helped in improving the quality of life of all personnel.

Air Commodore Murli Sundaram has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.