Wing Commander Tejinder Singh (18806) F (P) was commissioned on 13 Jun 87 in the Fighter Stream of the Flying Branch of the 1AF. He is an A-2 category Flying Instructor, Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner and is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College. He stood first during Hunter Operational Flying training and was also awarded the trophy for Best in Armament. While undergoing the Qualified Flying Instructors Course, he was awarded the trophy for Best in Flying and while undergoing the Air Staff Course at Defence Services Staff College he was awarded the Scudder Medal for standing first in M Sc Studies. He has over 4300 hours of Accident/Incident free flying, including 2000 hrs on Jaguars and has been awarded a commendation by the CAS. He has been a Directing Staff at the Flying Instructors School, Flight Commander of a fighter squadron and an Air Force Examiner at Aircrew Examining Board.

He was appointed as Commanding Officer of a Jaguar Squadron on 26 May 04 in difficult circumstances, after a tragic Double-Fatal accident and he faced the challenge of raising the morale of the Squadron and re-building the team. During the last 21 months, the Squadron carried out the maximum flying amongst fighter Squadron of Western Air Command and the same was achieved without any accident, while operating vintage Navigation Weapon Aiming Sub System Jaguars. Flying by junior pilots has almost doubled and has led to up-gradations and fast progress of syllabus. Innovations like setting up of a Test Equipment Laboratory and devising simple software at Sqn level are indicative of the high level of involvement of all personnel and have resulted in enhanced efficiency and savings in cost to the exchequer. The squadron put up a commendable performance during inspection by Directorate of Air Staff Inspections and the mission led by him was assessed as Exceptional. The Sqn won the Rocketry trophy in Exercise Ekalavya 04 and during Eklavya 05, the squadron put up a record performance winning four out of five team events and the Overall Championship. He was a member of three winning teams in these exercises. He led the fighter fly past on AF Day 04, 05 and Republic Day 06, putting up an immaculate display every time. He was also the Team Leader for induction of DARIN II Twin-Seater aircraft at base and has made an invaluable contribution to ensure a smooth transition to a new variant.

The officer, with his personal professional example, pro-active approach and leadership has provided the personnel placed below him with a new purpose and direction. This has enabled the squadron to tide over the crisis and attain exceptional standards of professionalism in all facets of its tasking.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Tejinder Singh.