Group Captain Shiv Kumar Bhan was commissioned in the IAF in the fighter stream on 19 December 1970 and has over 2750 hrs of flying to his credit. He is a Fighter Combat Leader and has successfully undergone Higher Air Command Course. He has commanded a Fighter Squadron, has been on the staff of Tactics and Combat Development Establishment and Directorate of Air Staff Inspection and has also served as Flying Instructor in Iraq.

He was posted to Air Force Station, Srinagar as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) on 12 Apr 93. As COO, the Officer involved himself in an exemplary manner to resolve numerous problems of air operations of multiplicity of aircraft roles in demanding times in the Valley. Toshe Maidan Air to Ground Range, which had remained closed for the last five years, was re-activated within a record time. The officer brought the operational status of the Station to a high standard in a short time.

During an Air Defence exercise conducted in the valley in July 1993, the officer exercised direct control of operations at Srinagar and Awantipur. Besides being the Base Air Defence Officer for both the bases, he controlled the entire operations in a safe and realistic manner. It was only due to his vision and correct analysis of likely threats that he could bring in realism in the exercise thus enhancing the potential of all operational elements involved. Similarly, during heavy snowfall in February 1994, he worked vigorously to clear the entire runway and aircraft operating area. This resulted in resumption of commercial flights within two days and by fighters within four days. The officer was instrumental in meticulous planning, excellent coordination and precise execution of Special Heliborne Operations in connection with 'Amarnath Yatra' in August 1994 which was highly appreciated by J&K State Govt.

For exceptional devotion to duty the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Gp Capt Shiv Kumar Bhan.

Air Cmde Bhan was posted to Directorate of Ops as Joint Director Technical Operations (JDTO) from Apr 95 to Dec 97. He immersed himself in the complexities of the job and involved himself in tackling numerous problems of air operations faced by fighter squadrons. He took active part in reviewing and formulating the Air Force Doctrine which was being formulated for the first time. He drew on his vast experience and conceptual skills to update orders and instructions, review the course syllabus of TACDE, establish the Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumented Range at Jamnagar, and tackle the myriad of problems that arose with regard to the management of the Ground Attack fleet. During the year 1995-96 there had been a significant increase in aircraft accident rate due to ricochets in air to ground front gun firing, which forced the IAF to temporari1y suspend the front gun firing. Air Cmde Bhan initiated a thorough review of the attack patterns and showed rare initiative in seeking information from other air forces on the design of targets, attack patterns etc. He then formulated definitive recommendations for remedial measures to avoid ricochets. As a result, front gun firing was resumed. He was instrumental in starting Armament Training Camps for fighter squadrons which have gone a long way in improving the Operational capability of the IAF. During his tenure as JDTO he held Officiating charge as D Ops Offensive for over a year, but despite discharging two onerous functions simultaneously he did not let the quality of his work suffer and set an example for others to follow.

Air Commodore Shiv Kumar Bhan VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.