Squadron Leader Prakash Chandra Khandubhai Desai was commissioned in the Air Force on 3 Jan 66. He was awarded Gold Medal for standing first in the Engineering (Industrial Engineering) Examination NITIE, Bombay in July 76 and earned the FCIL being the best student in the 'Electronic Data Project System' course at MCTE, MHOW in Jun-Aug 77. He graduated from Defence Services Staff College in Nov 80.

Squadron Leader Desai was specially selected as Weapon Test Engineer and Officerin charge Test Laboratory of Aircraft and System Testing Establishment where he displayed outstanding capability at handling challenging tasks assigned to him.

As project engineer for flight trials of a Missile System, Squadron Leader Desai handled various disciplines of the Project single handed and was responsible for formulating fabrication drawing providing design support for various equipments. The task was completed in a record time of three months.

The post firing film data analysis work under taken by the officer and the efforts put in by him evolve new procedures and techniques were appreciated by the concerned manufacturers.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and profile competence of a high order, the President is please to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Squadron Leader Prakash Chandra Khandubhai Desai.

Air Commodore Prakashchandra Khandubai Desai, VSM (10078) AE(M) took over as Air Officer Commanding of a major maintenance base on 16 Aug 96.

During his career, besides having an excellent academic record in numerous service and civil course including DSSC and post graduation, he has successfully handled critical appointments of Test Engineer at Aircraft and System Testing Establishment (ASTE), Dy Air Attaché at Embassy of Moscow, Chief Engineering Officer at 11 Wing and Chief of Planning at 11 BRD before coming to 402 Air Force Station. He was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1984 for major contribution in many weapon evaluation, adaptation and testing trials at ASTE.

His qualities of leadership and man management and administrative acumen came to the fore while commanding this base. His untiring efforts in providing transparent, proactive as well as sensitive administration resulted in improved morale, better work culture and higher output. In functional areas, he personally guided the production activities of Base Repair Depots, logistic management of Equipment Depot and modification tasks of V/UHF Installation Team.

Besides surpassing the production targets for three years in running, establishment of M-53 Depot Level Maintenance, computerization of inventory and disposal of large salvage store were some of the major achievements. Airfield maintenance, accident/incident free record of operations, resolution of major land disputes, improved security environment, welfare of personnel and their families and provision of better living conditions/ work environment were other areas where he diverted his energy vigorously and achieved great success.

He has been the Chairman of many joint studies with scientific and R&D organizations. He was also involved in various studies like currency of foreign exchange for the state. He was also involved in various studies like trifurcation of AE branch, reorganization of R & SUs, trade allocation of airmen and review of quality assurance services at BRDs. As Chairman Aeronautical Society of India UP & Bihar Chapter, he conducted seminars on subjects of Air Force interests like rubber technology, vibrations and metallic materials for aviation, which gave great impetus to indigenization efforts.

Air Commodore Prakashchandra Khandubai Desai, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Prakashchandra Khandubhai Desai AVSM VSM (10078) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in Indian Air Force on 03 Jan 66. During his career laced with academic brilliance at various civil and service courses he has achieved number of milestones on professional and administrative fronts.

His leadership qualities, professional acumen, academic & research orientation has helped in achieving excellent results in tasks like indigenisation, life extension and operational modifications. He had held several important assignments like Weapon Test Engineer at Aircraft-and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Dy Air Attaché, Moscow, Chief Engineering Officer Air Force Station Tezpur, and Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Kanpur during his service career bringing out his skills in contract negotiations, civil admin and legal matters besides the technical expertise. During his tenure as ACAS Eng 'A', he managed the technical and logistics of large fleet of Russian fighters, transport ac and helicopters under adverse circumstances of poor product support from OEM, both during peace and during Op Parakram. He was IAF representative in several important delegations to Russia and Ukraine and was instrumental in successfully concluding large number of contracts for critical equipment and spares. He has also been appointed on Scientific Committees at NAL and Indian Society of Non Destructive Testing.

In his present assignment as SMSO HQ MC since 12 Jun 2002, with his vast technical and logistics experience, he has provided new impetus to production, modification, provisioning and indigenisation efforts of various BRDs/EDs. Under his guidance, most of the BRDs have not only managed to complete their assigned task, but also provided excellent support to operational units in AOG clearance, in-situ repairs and rectifications. He has been instrumental in bringing about change in orientation and priority at the Maintenance Command units in favour of supporting operational units. His close association with R & D, HAL, certification and academic institutions has resulted in enormous saving of Foreign Exchange and resolution of number of problems affecting availability of aviation equipment,

Air Mshl PK Desai AVSM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.