Details : | Group Captain Sanjiv Ghuratia (19648) war commissioned in the Indian Air Force as an engineer in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) branch on 12 September 1988. He is posted to Air Headquarters as Director Air Staff Requirement (Weapons). In 26 years of his distinguished service, Group Captain Sanjiv Ghuratia has held numerous important field and staff appointments that include Chief Engineering Officer of a flying base, Chief of Aircraft at a Base Repair Depot, Chief Engineering Officer at United Nations Mission in Congo and Instructor at Air Force Test Pilots School. He has contributed immensely as a Flight Test Engineer in many important weapon and sensor integration projects including Air to Air Missile, Air to Surface Missile, Helmet Mounted Display System and Laser Designator Pod on fighter aircraft. As Chief Engineering Officer of a Flying Base and UN Mission at Congo his technical acumen and management skills ensured sustained operations through very high serviceability of the available aircraft. His initiative for reviving the 50 hours servicing of Mi-I7 1V helicopters at THOISE saved precious flying hours for Operation Meghdoot. His insightful analysis of dangerous pattern of consecutive replacements of Tail Drive Shafts of the Mi series helicopters has been acknowledged to have prevented potential accidents. The officer was instrumental in the recovery of Indira Radar that was stationary for 11 years at a remote operational location at 9000 feet altitude and also orchestrated the first on-site overhaul of ST-68Radar. Under his leadership as Chief of Aircraft, the Base Repair Depot successfully undertook the challenging task of overhauling Mi-17 and Mi-8 helicopters in the face of uncertainty of many critical spares. In Directorate of Air Staff Requirements The officer with his ingenuity and foresight offered solutions to complex issues of procurement and project management that lead to accord of long awaited Initial Operational Clearance to Light Combat Aircraft. His sound knowledge and professionalism has positively impacted the modernisation drive of the Indian Air Force towards induction of weapons and Ground Based Air Defence systems. For distinguished service of a high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Group Captain Sanjiv Ghuratia. |