| Details : | Wing Commander Nirmalendu Nath Sinha (20157) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 14 Jun 1989. He is a Pilot Attack Instructor and an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and is fully operational on MiG-21 Bis, M-2000, Su-30K and Su-30MKI aircraft with over 3000 hrs of flying experience. He is a display supervisor having enthralled spectators with innumerable low-level aerobatics display on the Su-30MKI aircraft since 2004. Presently, he is the CO of a Su-30 MKI Squadron (Sqn) since 03 Jul 2006. On assuming command, he was tasked to convert the Sqn from Su-30K to Su-30MKI aircraft. After induction of the aircraft, he with his foresight and meticulous planning ensured smooth and speedy operationalisation of the squadron at Bareilly. During the process, the entire exploitation of warranty on HAL aircraft was achieved with each aircraft flying more than 240 hrs during the warranty period of one year, which had never been achieved before. His timely intervention on critical issues ensured the serviceability state was maintained at more than 70%. The flying done was gainfully utilized with effective planning that resulted in 23 aircrew achieving 'fully operational' status, 15 becoming 2/4 aircraft leaders, 19 being qualified to undertake air-to-air refueling, and 15 trained for specialist weapon delivery, all in a span of only one and a half years with an average strength of only 10 aircraft. The professional competence of the Sqn was put to test during various Air Force exercises and commitments. He was also instrumental in ensuring that a large number of new technicians who were posted to the squadron after undergoing just-in-time (JIT) training, were effectively brought up to a minimum acceptable standard in a short period of time. This was achieved through dedicated classroom lectures and practical training. This paid rich dividends and was evident during the recent Directorate of Air Staff Inspection when the Sqn was graded 'Average- Plus' in maintenance and administration despite having more than 80% technicians with less than one-year work experience on the aircraft, of which, 60% were JIT trained technicians. All efforts put in by the Sqn under his dynamic and able leadership resulted in the Sqn being adjudged the 'Best Fighter Squadron' in Central Air Command for the year 2007. For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Nirmalendu Nath Sinha. |
