On 26 Mar 87, Flight Lieutenant Vivek, flying a fighter aircraft, was carrying out a low level bombing attack over the Sarmat air to ground weapons range. During the attack at a high speed and very low height a large bird struck the front of the aircraft causing extensive damage to the air intake. The bird and aircraft debris entered the engine, damaging it severely and leading to an engine flameout. The aircraft was at a very low level, approaching the sea at this time.

Displaying exemplary presence of mind and courage of the highest order in the face of a very critical emergency, the pilot maintained control of the aircraft, turned it away from the sea and subsequently cleared it off the installations on the ground. He carried out all actions flawlessly and in the shortest possible time and informed the range safety officer and the airfield of his flight condition. He then restarted the engine ensuring that his flight path would keep him clear of the built up areas and vital installations near the airfield. Thereafter he carried out a flawless emergency landing at the airfield without any delay or damage to the aircraft.

Flt Lt Vivek displayed courage and presence of mind of a very high standard in handling this grave emergency. He not only saved a valuable aircraft, but also prevented damage to vital installations and injuries to civil and service personnel on the ground. His handling of the emergency was in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and is all the more remarkable in that he had returned to active flying after a relatively long break just a few days prior to this accident.

For courage and presence of mind of the highest order in the face of a very grave emergency, the president is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Flt Lt Vivek.

Group Captain Vivek VM (16560) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF in 1981. He is a QFI, PSC and fully Ops on three different fighter types. He has served as Flt Cdr and CO of fighter squadrons. He has also done several staff and instructional assignments including senior Flt Cdr at Fighter Training Wing and instructor at NDA. He was awarded VM (G) in 1988 for safely flying back a MiG-21 aircraft that had suffered serious damage and engine flame out following a bird hit at high speeds.

Gp Capt Vivek commanded a front line fighter strike squadron in 2001-03, during which period the squadron was deployed in 'Op Parakram' in the Northern-Western Sector. The squadron achieved the highest training and operational readiness standards both by day and night in 'Op Parakram'. The squadron also maintained high valley attack, night strike status and in addition trained seven young pilots to F Ops status on type. Under his leadership, the squadron achieved exemplary standards of teamwork, morale and quality of life. Appreciating the performance of the squadron, HQ WAC nominated it for Vayu Spardha in 2003.

Gp Capt Vivek was posted to Directorate of Personnel Planning, Air HQ in Oct 2003 to discharge the duties of both, Principal Director and Director. This was a time when the Dte was required to prepare important projects on cadre restructuring. Gp Capt Vivek took on the onerous responsibility with a sense of purpose and commitment. Under his stewardship, detailed proposal was prepared for sanction of additional manpower to make good the existing and cumulative shortages of IAF. The Dte also prepared proposals for restructuring of ground duty branches. Gp Capt Vivek worked assiduously and progressed the cases maintaining a high degree of co-ordination with MoD. During the period 2004-05, the officer undertook the task of preparing Air Force proposals for restructuring of officers cadre based on Ajai Vikram Singh Committee recommendations. He worked industriously, with a deep sense of responsibility and ensured that the proposals were prepared and submitted most expeditiously. On another front he took initiative to prepare a book on military awards and medals for reference of personnel in field units. In addition, Gp Capt Vivek had ensured that Dte of Personnel Planning provided quality output in all its spheres of activity.

Gp Capt Vivek has always displayed a very high sense of responsibility and commitment towards the tasks assigned to him to consistently achieve a high degree of excellence.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Vivek VM.