| Details : | Wing Commander Chandrashekar Sreenivas (20196) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as an air traffic controller in administrative branch on 16 Jun 90. He is on the posted strength of Air HQ (VB) since 05 Jan 09 and working as Joint Director Operations (Air Traffic Services). He is a high calibre professional who displays exceptional confidence in any job, however difficult or challenging it may be. His dynamism, drive, initiative and enthusiasm in conduct of field and staff duties have been commendable. In his appointment as Senior Air Traffic Control Officer (SATCO) of a strategic base, runway maintenance was a challenging task due to its vintage. With operational orientation and close interaction with Military Engineering Services, he exploited laid down policies to use innovative maintenance practices ensuring runway availability for uninterrupted day/ night regular IAF operations as well as prestigious international and national exercises like 'Indradhanush', 'Akraman' etc. The officer conceptualised and designed an instrument approach procedure simulator along with a software expert, and has been a driving force in procurement of 41 abridged radar simulators, thus fulfilling a long pending requirement of additional training aids for Air Traffic Control Officers. This has resulted in overall improvement in standards of controlling and also saved few lakhs of rupees to the exchequer for software development. In 2007, Indian Air Force embarked on an ambitious turnkey project of Modernisation of Airfield Infrastructure (MAFI) at 30 bases to upgrade its op capability to include 24x7 all weather operations. The officer was appointed as the secretary of Project Management Group in the Rs. 1200 crore phase-I of the project. During contract negotiations, he was responsible for inclusion of certain equipment not in the scope of project such as inset approach lights in the over run area. The inclusion not only enhanced op capability by rendering the overrun area usable by flight refuelling aircraft, but also benefitted the organization by at least Rs. 15 crore. He has been the main driving force behind the project, optimizing and maximizing each facility and thereby, deriving the maximum benefit for the expenditure incurred by the state. His unflinching commitment and proactive handling of the technically intensive project is praiseworthy. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Chandrashekar Sreenivas. |
