Squadron Leader Kiranchandra Indravadan Trivedi was commissioned into the IAF in Dec 68 and has been on the posted strength of the Northern Area Control Centre, since 04 Jan 82. As Senior Meteorological Officer, he is looking after meteorological aspects and services being rendered by NACC & AOC (J&K) to all the units, Dropping Zones and Advanced Landing Grounds in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, having been associated with the Global Monex Experiment in 1979, the officer was specially selected in 1983 to join the Third Antarctica Expedition as a member and was assigned the task of providing weather services to aid helicopter operations by the Air Force crew in Antarctica. During the preparatory period, the officer reviewed the available meteorological literature on Antarctica, prepared a weather summary and carried out detailed planning of his task. During the to-and-fro cruise by the ship 'Finn Polaris', the officer took pains to record hourly meteorological data, over the vast stretch of the ocean between the Indian mainland and Antarctica. In Antarctica the officer recorded a volume of meteorological observations, hourly current weather observations, upper wind data etc, in addition to briefing the IAF aircrew on weather conditions.

The officer was instrumental in procuring a set of photo copies of the satellite cloud imageries and facsimile charts from the Russian and the Easterman Stations at Antarctica, through personal visits and liaison.

For the invaluable services rendered by him as a member of the Third Antarctica Expedition and his outstanding contribution to Atmospheric Science, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Kiranchandra Indravadan Trivedi.