| Details : |  Air Vice Marshal Vibhas Pande (17647) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as an engineer in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) branch on 29 Aug 84. The Air Officer has held the appointments of Senior Production Engineer (SPE) at 11 BRD, Directing Staff at College of Air Warfare, Commanding Officer of Armament Inspection Wing (AAIW) & 1 Central Indigenisation and Manufacturing Depot (CIMD) and Command Engineering Officer at HQ WAC. As SPE at 11 BRD, the officer introduced the concept of High Failure Rate Aggregates (HARAs) to improve the reliability of such aggregates. His contribution towards Indigenisation resulted in development of several technologically complex items that included Power Supply Modules and Main Landing Gear axle of MIG-29 aircraft. For his professional contribution, he was commended by Chief of Air Staff in 2001. He has held the appointment of Air Officer Commanding at 11 BRD, AF since 05 Oct 15 and has recently taken over as SMSO, EAC. At AAIW, he established the reason for bursting of imported 57 mm rockets. This enabled IAF to negotiate with OEM to provide free of cost refurbishment of propellant for the entire lot of one lakh rockets. During his tenure as Command Engineering Officer at HQ WAC, he contributed effectively towards Maintenance Safety by bringing in improvement in maintenance culture. With effective marshaling of resources placed under him, he could achieve reduced downtime of assets that resulted in marked improvement in serviceability status across the fleets. Reduction of AOG, being one of the KRAs, resulted in recovery/ rotation of more than 50 prolonged AOG aircraft within a span of two years. This had a direct bearing towards enhancement of operational capabilities of IAF, wherein the Operational Units under HQ WAC witnessed 10% year on year increase in flying efforts for the two consecutive years. As Air Officer Commanding at 11 BRD, in a short span of time, he instituted measures to step up production activities to catch up with the task and ensured adherence to production timelines. In addition, cases for LE studies on Landing Gears and Hydraulic Booster of MIG-29 ac have been initiated for long term benefit and sustenance of fleet. On the other hand, he has also put in concerted efforts to improve quality of life of Depot personnel through upgradation of community amenities as well as working environment. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Air Vice Marshal Vibhas Pande. |
