Wing Commander Gursharan Singh has been the Chief Technical officer of an operational Wing since May, 1968. From the day of his arrival, this officer has shouldered his responsibility with commendable degree of self confidence and applied himself with exemplary energy, enthusiasm and devotion to duty to the complex task of maintaining a variety of aircraft with limited manpower and material.

By setting up the maintenance control room. Wing Commander Gursharan Singh has been able to improve the utilization of the technical resources and achieve a commendable co-ordination of the technical equipment services of the Wing. These achievements have contributed substantially towards the successful accomplishment of operational and training tasks assigned to the Wing, through enhanced aircraft serviceability.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Gursharan Singh was serving as the Chief Technical Officer of an Operational Wing. His sustained work resulted in a high rate of fighter and bomber serviceability. With complete disregard to personal comfort and undeterred by multifarious maintenance problems, he worked round the clock to produce excellent results.

Throughout, Wing Commander Gursharan Singh displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

Air Vice Marshal Gursharan Singh, VM, VSM, (4263), Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the Air Force on 26 Feb 52. Since then he has held important assignments in the field, Command Hqrs, and Air Hqrs. He was selected for training abroad when the first jet aircraft was inducted in the IAF. Later he was selected to undergo the prestigious Cranfield Course in the United Kingdom in Aeronautical Science, which he completed with flying colours. During the Indo-Pak Conflict of 1971, his sustained hard work under adverse conditions resulted in high rate of serviceability of the Squadron where he served. Later, as the Deputy Air Attaché in one of our missions abroad, his contribution in ensuring smooth induction of weapon systems and guidance in ensuring training for the personnel in the systems, was immense.

As the Director of Maintenance Plans and Inspection, an awareness was brought in the maintenance set up of the operating units, to improving the quality of maintenance support while at the same time, reducing the manhours though innovation. Similarly, as the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of an Operational Command, he demonstrated exceptional dynamism, his ability for conceptual planning and meticulous execution.

As Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Eng.), he has ensured smooth induction of the new heavy and medium transport aircraft. With his experience in the diverse field of maintenance management, he streamlined the maintenance discipline and guided the specialists to overcome teething troubles associated with the new weapon induction.

Air Vice Marshal Gursharan Singh, VM, VSM, has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Gursharan Singh was commissioned in the Air Force on 26 February 1952. Since then he has held a wide variety of command and staff appointments. During his long and distinguished service, he excelled himself not only by professional competence but also outstanding administrative ability. For his outstanding professional abilities, he was selected to undergo the prestigious Cranfield Course in United Kingdom in Aeronautical Science, which he complete with distinction.

During the Indo-Pak Conflict of 1971, his sustained hard work under adverse conditions, resulted in high rate of serviceability of the squadron where he served.

He served as Maintenance Staff Officer of two commands, where he achieved substantial qualitative improvements in maintenance standards. As the Director of Maintenance Plans & Inspection, his methodical, systematic an incisive approach contributed greatly in formulating efficient maintenance planning procedures and servicing schedules for the newly inducted and existing weapon systems. Under his able guidance, an awareness grew in the maintenance organisation of the urgent need to improve the quality of maintenance support while at the same time reducing costs through innovation.

As Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Engineering), despite the immense problems involved, he ensured the smooth induction of new heavy and medium transport aircraft. With his experience in the diverse field of maintenance management, he has streamlined maintenance disciplines and guided his personnel in overcoming the teething troubles associated with the introduction of new weapons systems into the Indian Air Force. Air Marshal Singh has served as Director General of Radar and Communication Project Organisation and has achieved rare distinctions in planning, installation and commissioning of tropo, microwave and radar facilities for the Air Defence Ground Environment System. Through his dedication and untiring effort, he achieved a high state of induction and operationalisation of installations, including those located in far flung areas and inaccessible mountainous terrain.

Air Marshal Gursharan Singh, AVSM VM, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.