Wg Cdr KG Bewoor was commissioned on 09 Feb 74. He took over the command of a Hunter Squadron on Oct 91 at a critical juncture, when the previous Commanding Officer was seriously injured in an aircraft accident and hospitalized. The tasks at hand included revitalizing the squadron which was without its Commanding Officer for three months, preparation for a colour presentation by the President of India and the Hunter Operations Flying training which was behind schedule.

Wg Cdr Bewoor got down to the tasks at hand systematically worked to ensure that the training of 147 Pilots course finished on schedule. He set a very high standard for the colour presentation ceremony. By personal example and leadership, he motivated the officers and men in revitalizing the squadron and brought up the morale to the highest level.

During his command, the squadron was rated very high by the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection team. The squadron flew a total of 7230 sorties without any accident. The squadron was awarded the Best Fighter Squadron trophy in Eastern Air Command for the year 1992-93.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Wg Cdr KG Bewoor.

Air Commodore Keshav Gopal Bewoor VM (13570) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 22 December 1973 in the fighter stream of the flying branch of the IAF. In 33 years of distinguished service, he has held several important command and staff appointments namely the command of a Fighter Squadron, DS in DSSC, Examiner in the Air Crew Examining Board, the Defence Attaché in Israel, Air-1 of an Operational Command, and Command of the three premier bases in the IAF including the present Mirage 2000 base at Gwalior. He was awarded the Vayu Seva Medal in January 1994.

An A2 flying instructor, the Air Officer has been a founder member of the first aerobatic team of the IAF “Thunderbolts" and was also amongst the first batch of pilots to have converted onto the Mirage 2000 aircraft. As Defence Attaché in Israel the Air Officer played a pioneer role as he played a key role to enhance cooperation in the defence field between the two countries. During the firepower demonstration at Pokharan in 1998 and 1999 and the Kargil Operation in 1999, the Air officer then as Base Commander Jaisailmer had a major contribution in the success of these events/operations.

The Air officer has contributed significantly to the operational efficiency and preparedness of the Mirage-2000 fleet both as Air-1 and now as the Air Officer Commanding of the Mirage 2000 base. The shock effect exercises conceived and implemented during his tenure as Air-1 have been instrumental in determining the ops potential of the fighter Squadrons from time to time. His balanced and result oriented approach with personal involvement in every sphere of activities has been significant both in Ops planning at Command HQ as well as growth of the Air Force Base at Gwalior as a model base. Air Commodore Keshav Gopal Bewoor VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.