| Details : | Group Captain Pramod Madhukar Puranik (17652) Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as an Engineer in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) branch on 20 Aug 19S4. He has held important appointments of Chief Engineering Officer (CEO) of a Forward Base, Air Force Examiner of Flight Engineers, Officer-in-charge of Main Hanger Line at No 3 Base Repair Depot (BRD), Senior Instructor (Technical) at College of Air Warfare and CEO of a helicopter and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) base. As CEO at Air Force Station (AFS) Jammu, he maintained high serviceability of aircraft and overcame all odds to achieve 100% serviceability of UAV and MI-17 helicopters for the first time on 2S Dec 07. With foresight, meticulous planning and close coordination with repair depots, he maintained nil Aircraft on Ground status for seven months. He streamlined maintenance activity leading to 'Average Plus' grading by Directorate of Air Staff Inspection. He was responsible for installation and commissioning of second line servicing facilities for UAV He was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff in Oct 07. He is posted as CEO, AFS Chandigarh since 07 Jul OS. Despite several challenges, with his effective planning and foresight, he maintained high serviceability of the ageing AN-32, Mi-26 and IL-76 fleets. The high serviceability of IL-76 aircraft made it possible to launch these strategic assets for missions of national importance like relief operations to Kabul in Jul OS, flood relief operation to Bihar in Aug OS and commandos operations at Mumbai in Nov OS. With his professional vision and commitment, the base accomplished the first ever lS00 hrs servicing of AN-32 and 1500 hrs servicing of IL-76 aircraft flawlessly. He has been in the forefront in carrying out detailed study and analysis of complicated snags on AN-32, and in formulating procedures to avoid recurrence. He was actively involved in the study undertaken to investigate and suggest the repair scheme for frequent cracks on Main Rotor Blades of MI-26 helicopters. He empowered the air warriors to undertake retrieval of a Cat 'D' engine of IL-76, resulting in substantial savings. With his positive attitude and untiring effort, he has enhanced the operational preparedness through synergy between operation and techno-Iogistic activities. His all-round involvement includes campaigns undertaken to promote road safety awareness amongst air warriors. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Pramod Madhukar Puranik. |
