Wing Commander Harpreet Singh Basra (19174) F (P) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 19 Dec 87. Presently he is the Commanding Officer of a M-2000 Squadron. The officer has almost 4000 hrs of accident/incident free flying with almost 1500 hrs on the versatile M-2000 aircraft. The Officer has performed exceptionally well during his flying career and is an A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor, a graduate of Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment and Defence Services Staff College and has secured first position in both courses.

On taking over the Sqn, he laid special emphasis on improving the operational status of the Sqn. The Sqn has flown 2352 hrs in the last one year with the officer himself flying over 300 hrs, despite all the responsibilities of a Commanding Officer. The Sqn Ops Status has improved considerably with the junior most pilot averaging over 150 hrs in the last one year. He has been instrumental in inducting the first batch of Ex-Hawk pilots to the Mirage fleet, an event which warranted not only creating a new syllabus, but also tailoring the training pattern and learning environment to suit the requirements of the young inexperienced pilots.

The officer has consistently proved his mettle in various tasks. Under his command, his Sqn was declared the "Best Fighter Squadron of Central Air Command". Earlier, as the Flight Commander, he was instrumental in his Sqn winning the "Best Fighter Squadron of IAF 0304". The Sqn's performance during CASI, AEB and DASI inspections has been very good. Innovative and enterprising, he is constantly finding solutions and meeting the highest standards in all spheres for others to emulate. His innate ability to interact with the airmen and NCs(E) at the lowest rung has earned him the respect of his subordinates, both officers and men alike, and inculcated the spirit of unflinching loyalty towards the Sqn and kept the morale of his Sqn very high. This has manifested itself in high aircraft serviceability state of the Sqn, resulting in excellent performances of the Sqn in various exercises.

For his exceptional devotion to duty, innovation, foresight, planning abilities and professional excellence of the highest order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Harpreet Singh Basra.