| Group Captain Sudhir Asthana was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. He is a qualified flying instructor with an A-2 Category and was deputed to Govt. of Iraq in 1980 for instructional duties. He is a fighter combat leader of repute and has commanded a MiG-21 Squadron. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and has done a successful tenure in Directorate of Personnel (Officers) at Air HQ. Gp Capt Asthana has to his credit over 3200 hours of accident free flying.Gp Capt Sudhir Asthana took over as Chief Operation Officer of a major flying Wing in January 1993. The Wing has six flying units - all equipped with different types of aircraft and two Missile squadrons, each of them also with different equipment. Coordinating their activities, monitoring their training and planning and executing their integrated flying training is an enormous task. Inspite of limited resources, he ensured near perfect environment for flying which was conducive to good operational training. This was amply proven when Directorate of Air Staff Inspection inspected the Station where the standard of preparedness of Base Air Defence and Air Traffic Control were assessed as Above Average. The base which is co-located with Command Headquarters has a large number of dignitaries and teams visiting the Station. Flying displays have to be organised at a very short notice involving participation of large number of aircraft of different types, missiles and radar units which require minute and fool proof co-ordination. He planned and coordinated these displays in such a fashion that highlighted the professional standard of IAF. His contribution in the field of flight safety have also been significant and has resulted in major reduction in number of accidents and incidents at the Station. For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Gp Capt Sudhir Asthana. | 
