Details : | Group Captain Pushpendra Kumar (18002) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in IAF on 19 Aug 85 in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) stream. He is presently posted at Air Headquarters as Director Engineering A2 Bison fleet since 16 Mar 09. The officer is trained and has vast experience on MiG-21 fleet. He held the appointments of Senior Technical Officer at MiG 21 Squadrons, Adjutant and Flight Gunner Leader of IL-76 Squadron, Chief Engineering officer of a fighter base, Joint Director and Director MiG-21 (Bison) Maintenance cell at Air Headquarters. He was instrumental in achieving "Best Transport Squadron Trophy" in HQ WAC in year 1999 and 2000 consecutively. His professional acumen and exemplary managerial skills as Senior Engineering Officer not only enabled the MiG-21 Squadron to achieve 100% serviceability twice, once each in year 2002 and in 2004, but also enabled the Squadron to get adjudged as the "Best Fighter Squadron of Western Air Command" in year 2002. As Chief Engineering Officer of a fighter base, his leadership, immaculate planning and flawless execution ensured the coveted "Best Maintenance Trophy" in HQ SWAC, for the base in 2004. Gp Capt Kumar has been managing MiG-21 Bison maintenance cell since May 06. During upgradation of the fleet, there were many production, reliability, scaling, repair and procurement issues creating a situation full of complex variables resulting in poor Fleet availability. During the period of his work in maintenance cell of Bison, Officer identified and simplified all aspects affecting the fleet. Reliability issues of all upgraded systems resulting in Low MTBF other than Kopyo have been addressed fully. Kopyo reliability has increased from a dismal value of 5 hrs in beginning to 112 hrs against a design MTBF of 120 hours. Parallelly his judicious management of limited spares resulted in completion of series production of Bison aircraft at HAL, Nasik in Mar 08. Spares costing Rs 200 Cr have been contracted after undertaking revision of rotable scale. Multiple options created by him for the repair of aggregates, with a thrust on indigenous solutions through the participation of private sector, will result in saving in repair cost of aggregates. For distinguished service of high order, Hon 'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Pushpendra Kumar. |