Details : | Group Captain Animesh Kumar Singh (21255) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a pilot in the Flying branch on 30 Jun 91. Gp Capt AK Singh has an extensive flying experience and has flown over 5500 hrs on eight different types of aircrafts. He is a cat A QFI and has done instructional tenures in Air Force Academy (AFA),Flying Instructors School (FIS ) and in Botswana. He has been a Joint Director in Directorate of Plans at AirHQ (VB)and has also commanded the VIP Communication Flight at Air Force Station Yelahanka. He has undergone Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC) at College of Defence Management (CDM), Hyderabad and was a DS at CDM. Presently as the CO of the only Flight Refueller Aircraft (FRA) unit, he has ensured an exceptionally high state of op preparedness of the unit. During his tenure, the Sqn has participated in very large number of exercises, including the Ex Live-Wire in 2013, in which a record number of sorties, were flown, round the clock. The unit also participated in exercise Eastern Bridge, a joint military exercise with Royal Air Force of Oman, in which the unit enabled the ferry of six Jaguars to Oman, in Oct 2013. The officer was instrumental in the planning and execution of the first ever, air to air refueling trials of AEW&C Embraer 145 aircraft, in Agra, in May 2014. These trials brought forward new challenges which were overcome successfully through his personal involvement, professionalism and ingenuity. The officer is also the chief coordinator for Indo-French Ex Garuda-V scheduled to be held in Agra, in Jun 2014. The officer oversaw setting up of the Air Refuelling Coordination Centre (ARCC) in the Sqn premises in Mar 2013. This facility radically changed the planning process of air to air refueling in the IAF. Throughout his tenure, the Squadron has performed all tasks successfully besides maintaining a good flight safety record and high morale. For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) to Group Captain Animesh Kumar Singh. |