Gp Capt Gurnam Singh Chaudhry was posted to the Directorate of Air Staff Requirement, Air Headquarters on 10 Oct 88. He was allotted a number of major projects involving fighter aircraft, the most important of which was the LCA project.

Gp Capt Chaudhry displayed wisdom and maturity in his handling of the LCA project from the moment he was called upon to study, analyse in depth and provide professional comments on the 90 odd design documents while undertaking a review of the project. The officer researched the programme from its inception; sifting meticulously through volumes of wind tunnel results and performance predictions before he was able to highlight the anomalies and contradictions that were emerging. His clear perceptions became the focus for a high level review which culminated in an eventual Govt decision to alter the course of the project.

The programme encompasses a number of facets on which the Indian Aviation Industry lacks expertise. Some of the major topics that Gp Capt Chaudhry has had to regularly interact with ADA have been the complex issues relating to design of a Fly-by-Wire system, Multi Mode Radar, Mission Computer and choice of material for the Light Combat Aircraft wing. The very understanding of the fundamental issue of these topics calls for a high level of knowledge. To discuss and comment on them with the designers, Gp Capt Chaudhry was required to carry out an in-depth appraisal of each subject. That he was able to do so is an indication of the officer's professionalism and perseverance.

For his consistent dedication and distinguished service of a high order, perseverance and logical presentation, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt GS Chaudhry.

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 Marshal Gurnam Singh Chaudhry AVSM VSM ADC (11870) F (P) was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on 29 Dec 1968. He is a Flying Instructor, an Experiment Test Pilot and has flown 4300 hours on several fighter, bomber, transport aircraft and helicopters. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College. The Air Marshal participated in 1971 IndoPak war and flew a number of operational missions. He has held varied appointments which include command of a frontline fighter Squadron, Chief Operations Officer and Air Officer Commanding of prestigious fighter bases. The Air Marshal also served as a qualified flying instructor on deputation to the Govt of Iraq. He was on the staff of Defence Services Staff College

and was one of the founder members of HQ IDS. His other important staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Inspection) and Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of HQ SWAC. He was awarded VSM in 1992, AVSM in 1999 and was appointed Air ADC to the President of India in 2007.

As the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Inspection), through meticulous inspections, the Air Marshal contributed towards sustaining high standards of Air Operations, Maintenance and Administrative functioning of the entire IAF. He also revamped Quality Assurance Service functions and re-worked many equipment specifications. As SASO, the Air Officer managed the complete Air Operations in the South Western Sector and was instrumental in integrating SU-30 MKIs and other newly inducted systems into the War Plans. He was also instrumental in conceptualizing, planning and conducting a large number of joint exercises including Exercise 'Gagan Shakti' in Sep 06. His dedicated efforts made Net Centric Warfare Capability a reality in the South Western Air Command.

As the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command, through relentless efforts he ensured a high standard of training and was instrumental in implementation of the new pattern of training. Successful conduct of “Aero-India 07", a mega-event of international proportion and repute, was also executed under his leadership in an exemplary manner.

Air Marshal Gurnam Singh Chaudhry AVSM VSM ADC has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.