Wing Commander Nalin Kumar Tandon (16030) Flying (Pilot) Wing Commander Nalin Kumar Tandon (16030) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 15 Jun 80 as a fighter pilot. In 21 years of distinguished service, he has held several important appointments, which include Senior Flight Safety and Inspection Officer of a Fighter Base and Chief Flying InstnJctor of a Training Institute. He is an A2 Qualified Flying Instructor and a graduate of Defence Services Staff College. The Officer has over 4000 hours of accident free flying on single engine aircraft to his credit. As the Chief Flying Instructor at Air Force Academy, Dundigal, he performed creditably and ensured that all the Pilot Courses completed their task well ahead of their scheduled time. For maintaining very high standards of training, he was commended by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command and by the Chief of Air Staff in 1999. Wg Cdr Tandon took over the Command of a MIG-21 Squadron on 21 Jun 99 when 'Operation Safed Sagar' was at its peak. He exercised complete control over the situation and speared the Squadron through the rest of the operation with great dynamism. During his tenure as Commanding Officer, the Squadron touched the heights of glory. The Squadron was inspected twice by Aircrew Examination Board, and once by Directorate of Air Staff Inspection. In all the inspections the Squadron performed extremely well and was rated very high each time. The excellent performance of the Squadron has been appreciated at all levels, and the Squadron was recommended for the best fighter Squadron from Western Air Command for the year 2001 - 2002. After 'Operation Safed Sagar', the Squadron was tasked to carry out winter operations from Srinagar airfield after a gap of 15 years. Wg Cdr Tandon showed great dynamism and handled the task of winter operations in a most professional manner. Ever since, the Squadron has been operating in the Srinagar valley during winters. Under his able leadership, the Squadron also pioneered the live firing at Kharbuthang Field Firing Range; a high altitude range located in extremely hostile and difficult terrain. While according very high priority to the operational readiness of the Squadron, he never lost sight of morale and welfare of the Squadron personnel. For exceptional devotion to duty and leadership of the highest order, the Hon'bic President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Nalin Kumar Tandon. | 
