Air Commodore Ramesh Goyal (14567) F (P) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 13 Jun; 76. He is a Fighter Combat Leader and Pilot Attack Instructor with over 3000 h of accident free flying. In 1988, he was commended by CAS for enhancing the operational status of a fighter squadron and displaying extra ordinary skill/professional knowledge. Besides serving as a Directing staff in TACDE, he has held key appointments of Flt Cdr in a MiG-29 Squadron, CO MOFTU, Command Air Defence Officer in HQ Western Air Command and Director Operations (Air Defence) at Air HQ.

The Air Officer is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Army War College at Mhow. During Op Prakaram, he was Chief Operations Officer of the premier fighter base. As Director, Air Defence at Air HQ in 2003-04, his contribution towards efficient management and enhancement of Op potential of entire Air Defence fleet was note worthy. He was made responsible for conduct of Indo-US international level exercise Cope India-04 and enhancement of Indo-French Cooperation. Towards this, he led the Indian delegation to France for Air Staff meeting with the French Air Force and was a member of Executive Steering group meeting at Hawai in 2003-04.

After taking over as Ops-lA of HQ Eastern Air Command (EAC) in Apr 05, he revised the EAC Op Instructions. He was the chief coordinator from HQ EAC for work up and conduct phase of Indo-US joint exercise Cope India-05, followed by the joint exercise between IAF and RSAF (Sindex-06) in Jan 06. Both exercises were conducted very effi ciently. In Feb 06, the officer was made responsible for planning and conduct of air displays at Guwahati, Shillong and Aizwal, as part of IAF awareness campaign in the North East region. All the displays were conducted in a professional and efficient manner.

On being promoted to Air Cmde, he was appointed as Air-I HQ EAC in Mar 06. He has used his operational experience and knowledge to enhance the flying effort in Combat Sqns and improve the Op potential of fighter sqns and AD units. A command level operational exercise Poorvi Abhyas was successfully conducted for the first time after a gap of seven years. The Air-I section under the Air Officer was responsible for planning and conduct of this exercise.

For distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Air Commodore Ramesh Goyal.