Wing Commander Nirmal Chandra Suri has been commanding a fighter Squadron since August 1966. There was an operational requirement to evolve a modification for release of armament stores from the type of aircraft in his Squadron to enhance its fire power. This modification, which was a major one, was personally supervised by Wing Commander Suri. The modification has not only enhanced the fire power of the I.A.F. but also saved a large amount of foreign exchange. Wing Commander Suri has flown about 3,500 including 175 hours by night on single engine aircraft. When posted to the staff of the aircrew Examining Board for a period of 3 years, he acted as Examiner on Six different types of aircraft including Jets. During this period he flew over 600 hours for instrument rating of pilots and categorisation of the flying instructors.

Throughout, Wing Commander Nirmal Chandra Suri displayed professional skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Nirmal Chandra Suri, VM Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 15th March, 1952 and has over 4700 hours of flying to his credit. During his tenure of about 30 years he has handled a wide and varied range of assignments and held with distinction a number of important positions including command of two front line fighter squadrons, examiner in the Aircrew Examining Board, Deputy Director and Examiner in the Directorate of Air Staff Inspections, Director of Air Defence, Director of Intelligence, Station Commander and Air Officer Commanding, of a large Air Force Station. It is to his credit that in all these important assignments handled by him, he has left his mark with his hard work, intelligent and analytical approach, drive and initiative, professional skill and administrative ability. While commanding an operational fighter squadron he was personally involved in the modification for release of armament stores from the type of aircraft in his squadron, thereby enhancing its fire power. This major modification had not only enhanced the fire power of the Indian Air Force but also saved a large amount of foreign exchange.

He has been in command of a large Air Force Station, since January 1979. During this period there has been significant and noticeable improvement in the performance of all operational, technical and administrative AVSM 1982 activities. These improvements have come about in great measure due to his keen involvement in all the multifarious activities of the Wing. A system of making a comparative assessment of performance of all units in this command was instituted in 1979 and trophies awarded to winners. Of the trophies awarded for 1979 his Station has won the trophy for being the best station in maintenance, best in administration and also for best in sports. Its performance in 1980 resulted in the award for best overall in the Central Air Command again going to his Station, and it also the won the best in maintenance trophy.

Air Vice Marshal Nirmal Chandra Suri, VM, has thus rendered distinguished service of exceptional order.

Air Marshal Nirmal Chandra Suri (4236) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF in March,1952 and has hold importent Command and Staff appointmonts, including Command of two fighter Squadrons and two frontline fightor Air Bases, Director of Intelligence at Air Headquartoras, Senior Air Staff Officer of an Operational Command and Air Officer-incharge Personnel at Air HQ. He approached and executed duties of all those posts in a positive and noteworthy manner.

An outstanding fightor pilot, having logged over 5500 hours of flying, he is a Pilot Attack Instructor and Qualifed Flying Instructor holding an A-1 category. Due to his professional excellence he was posted as an Instructor to the Flying Instructors' School and later as an Examiner in the Aircrew Examining Board. He is also one of the founder members of the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection.

Air Marshal NC Suri was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for personally supervisinng the modification for release of armament store from the type of aircraft in the Squadron he was commanding. This major modification not only enhanced the power of the IAF but also saved a large amount of foreign exchange. Subsquently, while commanding a major fighter base he set to work with commendable zeal and dedication and despite numerous difficulties achieved a high state of operational preparedness of the base. During his command, his Base won almost all the trophies instituted by the Command for 3 years continuously. For his outstanding leadership in flying and application of competent administrative and technical knowledge to enhance combat efficiency of the Station, he was awarded AVSM.

A graduate in Management Studies from Administrative Staff College, Hyderabad and also from National Defence College, he took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of a major Operational Command in February, 1912. As Senior Air Staff Officer ho was instrumental in enhancing the operational combat capability of various elements and thereby improved the operational preparedness of the Command.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal in 1985, he took over as Air Officer-in-charge Personnel at Air HQ. In this appointment, his sphere of responsibility covered a broad spectrum related to career profiles and promotion prospects of all personal of the IAF. By virtue of his vast experience analytical ability, foresight and able direction, he has given a new dimension to the employment and utilisation of manpower in the Air Force. He has continued to display rare qualities of leadership, professional competence and exceptional acumen for planning and execution of the task of his Branch.

Air Marshal NC Suri has thus rendered long and distinguished service of the most exceptional order.