Wing Commander Suneel Shripad Soman (14681) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Fighter stream of Flying (Pilot) branch of the Indian Air Force on 29 December 76. During his meritorious service he has excelled in many fields gaining fully Op status on two fighter aircrafts. He is qualified Flying Instructor holding A-2 category and has been the Chief Instructor at the Flying Instructors School. He served as the Assistant Defence Advisor in Dhaka. Bangladesh from September 90 to May 94. He distinguished himself by producing a prize winning dissertation on Indo-Bangladesh affairs during the DSSC course. Wing Commander Soman has been the Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron since November 96. The task of the unit is to train the budding fighter pilots of the IAF. He assumed the command of the squadron just after the unit relocated at a new base that was reactivated after a long gap. The repair of operational and maintenance infrastructure had not yet reached the desired standard. Wing Commander Soman utilised his vast experience and outstanding leadership to recommence flying training within a very short duration. Simultaneously, he set about organising the maintenance facilities to ensure a constant availability of aircraft to sustain Squadron's flying effort. The net result was that the flying training was completed within the stipulated time frames. With his personal example and zealous application of his professional acumen Wing Commander Soman has been able to ensure a high standard of flying training to the ab-initio fighter pilots of Indian Air Force.

For outstanding professionalism, exemplary qualities of leadership, sustained hard work, commitment and involvement, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Suneel Shripad Soman.