Wing Commander Subramanian Sundar Rajan (17848) F (P) was commissioned on 14 Jun 85 in the Flying Branch of the IAF. In the past 21 years of distinguished service, he has held several important field appointments which include Flight Commander of Fighter Sqn, Squadron Commander of a Fighter Training Unit, Station Flight Safety and Inspection Officer of a Fighter Base and Commanding Officer of a Pechora Missile Sqn. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College.

As the Flight Commander of a Fighter Sqn, he performed creditably and ensured timely completion of flying task with utmost safety, without compromising on the training standards. As a Station Flight Safety and Inspection Officer of a Fighter Base, he ensured high standards of safety in operations and maintenance. Due to his sustained efforts, the Station was able to reduce the number of incidents and had no accident. His efforts also helped the Station in being adjudged Above Average in Flight Safety. The officer exhibits cool temperament when faced with critical emergencies in the air. He carried out a safe forced landing of a jet trainer with a seized engine and a safe ejection from a MiG-21 trainer aircraft on fire, during the critical stage of takeoff.

The officer was appointed the Commanding Officer of a Pechora Missile Squadron on 02 Aug 04. On taking over command of the unit, he laid great stress on improving the Op ability of the unit. Within a short span of six months, he ensured that all eligible combat crew were holding professional categories commensurate with their experience. DASI, during their inspection of the Sqn in Oct 05, highly appreciated the Op capability of the Sqn. Two combat Flights of the Sqn were adjudged Average Plus. Based on the highly commenda ble performance, DASI selected the Sqn as the Range Duty Sqn for conducting live Pechora missile firing at Weapons firing Range.

Under his able leadership, the Sqn successfully conducted live firing of all allotted Pechora missiles, without a single equipment or guidance failure, which is an achievement by itself. Though the unit deployed almost twenty days behind schedule, due to inordinate delay in rail transportation, he was able to marshal the personnel under him and motivate them to put in their best. This helped the unit to achieve a fully operational status well before the due date for firing, despite having mobilised two combat flights over a distance of 2000 km. With his purposeful planning, foresight and leadership, he was able to direct the personnel under him in achieving difficult and challenging tasks, while maintaining high morale.

For his distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Subramanian Sundar Rajan.