| Details : | Wing Commander Harshad Mishra (22963) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in the flying branch on 18 Jun 94. He has over 3250 hours of flying experience on MiG-21 T-75, MiG-21 T-77, Bison and Su-30MKI aircraft. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a graduate of Defence Services Staff College. He was one of the participants of multinational Exercise Red Flag 2008 at US base Nellis and was entrusted the assiduous task of planning the same. He has been the Flight Commander of a Bison Squadron and is presently commanding a Su-30 MKI Squadron. In the past he has been awarded commendation by CAS. Within a month of assuming command, Wing Commander Harshad Mishra had the arduous task of relocating the squadron to a frontline base for strategic considerations. This mammoth task involved entire operational, maintenance and administrative infrastructure involving more than 300 tonnes of load and families of more than 350 Air Warriors of the Squadron. The relocation of the Squadron also necessitated the change in role from type training to that of operational core squadron. Due to his meticulous planning and attention to detail the move of the unit was conducted in such a smooth, professional and praiseworthy manner that, the squadron was tasked to compile a "Squadron Permanent Relocation Move Guide" to serve as a template for future relocation of fighter squadrons. Despite lack of specialist testers and equipment, he initiated second line servicing at the new base on priority and ensured high level of serviceability. Under his command, the squadron professionally completed its previous task of type training at the same time continuing to consolidate on operational role by undertaking regular long duration missions over the North-East, the Himalayas and Island Territories. It was due to his zeal and focus that the unit could achieve 172 operational up gradations of pilots in a short span of two years, participate in all exercises of South Western Air Command and Western Air Command in extremely professional manner and win three trophies in exercise Eklavya 2011. He was also the first officer to fire the BETAB bomb from Su-30 MKI and was instrumental in finalising the Standard Operating Procedure for the weapon. Additionally the officer led the team tasked to validate the ACMI modification and carriage by Su-30 MKI. For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) to Wing Commander Harshad Mishra. |
