Wing Commander Anup Kumar Varshneya (17077) Edn/PJI was commissioned on 29 Dec 82 in the Education branch of IAF. During his 24 years of service he has held important field and instructional appointments which includes security officer of forward air field, Para Jump Instructor at PTS Agra, Chief Instructor at Aviation Research Centre, WTI, AF and ATI, AF. He is presently posted as Joint Director (Garud) at Air HQ with effect from 30 June 2003.

The officer is a Para Jump Instructor with vast experience. His contribution towards training Army personnel in night free fall is well recognized. He holds the national record for Canopy Relative Work and has a mention in Limca book of world record for highest altitude Jump from 28,000 AMSL. He has successfully innovated and pioneered the development of the popular diamond formation. He has also participated in joint exercises with Combat Free Fall team of USA. His achievements in Para trooping have been par excellence. He has more than 1450 jumps to his credit.

The officer was responsible for the uphill task of conceptualization, planning and raising of the Special Forces of IAF whose philosophy, ethics and doctrine were hitherto unfamiliar to IAF. Faced with this mammoth task, with commendable dispatch, professional maturity and visionary zeal he set about his task. It is due to his indefatigable enthusiasm that the prestigious training facility of "Garud Regimental Training Centre" was established with several novel features. The officer tirelessly monitored and coordinated the operational training of Garuds with SF of Army, NSG and SFF in such a manner that enabled the newly inducted Garuds to achieve operational status within shortest span of time.

The officer contributed immensely to the development of a Joint Operational training Philosophy and helped the Garuds to achieve at par rating with other more seasoned SF Forces. Due to his exemplary efforts, the onerous task of operationally scheduling, training and deploying Garud flights at operational bases in J&K Sector become a spic and span activity. Notwithstanding the meager preparatory time available, he fine-tuned the capability of Garuds to lethal and precision operations in a risk-prone environ ment, when the Govt directed to dispatch a Garud flight to Congo as part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission.

For his pioneering and yeoman contribution to the training of 'Garuds' Special Forces of IAF, his organizing ability, initiative and distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Anup Kumar Varshneya.