| Details : | Wing Commander Sivaraman Sajan (21807) Flying (Pilot)was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 Jun 92 and is currently the Commanding Officer of a SU- 30 MKI Squadron (Sqn). A recipient of the Sword of Honour and the President's Plaque for standing first in his course, the officer is a Qualified Flying Instructor and holds a Masters in Defence Studies from National University, Dhaka. The officer also bagged trophies at the Flying Instructors' School for standing first in overall order of merit, being best in flying, aerobatics and instructional technique. He has also been awarded commendations by the Chief of Air Staff as well as the AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command for his professional acumen. Wg Cdr Sajan has over 3500 hours of flying and is qualified on frontline fighters like the SU- 30 MKI and MiG-21 aircraft. The officer was the first in the IAF to have successfully fired the Anti Shipping Missile as well as the Anti Radiation Missile on realistic targets, thereby validating the missile envelope as well as employment philosophy. The firing of the Anti Radiation Missile involved detailed coordination and in-depth study since it was undertaken for the first time ever in the IAF, that too without any involvement from the missile manufacturer. His expertise on the various munitions helped him spearhead the Special Weapon Camp for all SU-30 operators, imparting training to a vast number of aircrew. Wg Cdr Sajan is a qualified low level aerobatics display pilot and has performed breathtaking displays at various venues. Prior to his present appointment, he functioned as the Flight Commander of the same squadron and ensured high professional standards amongst the squadron aircrew. During visits conducted by external agencies like the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection.(DASl), he was graded 'Exceptional' in all the three armament missions that he undertook in Nov 2006 and all four missions in April 2009. Under his command, the squadron took part in various exercises and came out with flying colours. The surgically precise armament employment showcased by the squadron aircrew during Ex-Maha Vayu Shakti- 2010 is a testimony of the same. As the only SU-30 MKI maritime squadron in the IAF, the unit undertook a multitude of missions over high seas with the Indian Navy, spanning from the Eastern to the Western seaboard. Wg Cdr Sajan was instrumental in training a large number of aircrew in the maritime role to meet the challenges over sea. In November 2009, the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil undertook the historic flight on the SU-30 MKI with Wg Cdr Sajan. The event which was showcased by national as well as international media was conducted flawlessly and in a befitting manner by the squadron under his guidance. For his high degree of professionalism, consistent endeavour to achieve excellence and exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty)' to Wing Commander Sivaraman Sajan. |
