Air Commodore Subramaniam Raghavendran (3840) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying (Pilot) of the Indian Air Force in April 1950. He had been Senior Air Staff Officer in Headquarters Training Command from March 1974 to February 1976. During this period, with his dedication, devotion to duty and diligence, he made significant and long term contributions to the training and administration in Training Command. Prior to this he had had a distinguished and productive career in the Air Force. He had commanded Fighter Squadrons twice. He had also been O i/c Flying and Station Commander of a major fighter base. He is highly qualified professionally and administratively.

With his incisive, analytical and methodical mind, he identified the weak areas in training in the IAF and instituted to improve the same. He devised most comprehensive lesson plans for all training institutions. Steps were taken by him to make training aids scales from the needs of the lesson plans as opposed to ad­hoc redundant ones. To make available all training and audio­visual aids, comprehensive 'Resources Libraries' were introduced by him in all institutions. He carried out a methodical standardisation of all training records and documents in the schools and reduced the work load, while making available complete Management Information System at appropriate levels of supervision. Effective instructor assessment system and updating lectures were, also instituted by him for the instructors to ensure high calibre.

He introduced a Command Training Inspection Team, led by him which visited the units, with elaborate questionnaires and critically analysed their performance. It produced such remarkable results that Institutions assessed as sub­standard came up to excellent standards within six months.

His most outstanding contribution to Training Command was the introduction of Management-By Objectives throughout the Command vis­à­vis Training, Maintenance and Administration. Specially called the Goals, Results and Objectives Oriented Management System, he formed an ad­hoc team and personally identified the Key Result Areas of Training Command. He analysed the strength, weaknesses and resources of Training Command set realistic, but challenging objectives, made detailed action plans and devised a Management Information System for feed back and control of the same. All these were issued by him as detailed Training Command Air staff Instructions. In addition to this, he also made compendium of all Air Staff matters and based on these issued detailed Training Command Air staff Instructions on every aspect.

Air Commodore Subramaniam Raghavendran has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Subrarnaniam Raghavendran, AVSM (3840) F(P) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Air Force on 15 Apr 50. Immediately on completion of his

initial training he was assigned to flying duties in an operational squadron and has since

handled a variety of flying assignments at various levels. As a competent fighter pilot he has commanded successively and successfully a fighter squadron and two major fighter bases.

After undergoing n course at the National Defence College in 1973, Air Marshal Raghavendran was posted on staff appointments first at Air HQ and later as Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Trg Command. His subsequent appointments included Director of Training, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Personnel and Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations at Air HQ. He was then posted as Air Officer Commanding J&K before taking over as Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ WAC, the oldest and the most important of the Operational Commands of the Air Force. He is presently holding this appointment and is also functioning as AOC-in-C, pending selection and posting of a permanent incumbent.

A keen, knowledgeable and highly experienced fighter pilot, Air Marshal Raghavanderan has shown immense capacity for planning of operational matters and carrying them towards successful implementation. While holding the appointment of Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations at Air HQ he was chosen to coordinate all arrangements in connection with the flying activities entrusted to the Air Force during the Commonwealth Heads of Govt Meet. His handling of this demanding assignment won him all round acclamation.

Throughout his career Air Marshal Raghavaendran has exhibited exemplary devotion to duty, professionalism of the highest caliber and an immense capacity to organize diverse activities relating to operations and the execution of roles allotted to the Air Force. Air Marshal Subrarnaniam Raghavendran, AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional manner.