Air Commodore Kotarapurath Govind Mohandhandra was commissioned in the erstwhile Administrative and Special Duties branch of the Indian Air Force in 1952 and had specialised in Air Traffic Control duties. During his long service he has held important appointments on staff, as well as in the field.

During the hostilities in 1962, being posted at a forward Air Base in the North Eastern Section, he was entrusted with the task of co­ordinating airlift of troops to the forward areas, and co­ordination of the task of return of own Prisoners of War, which he achieved successfully showing a commendable degree of administrative ability, foresight and tact. Again in 1971, he was specially associated with the operational planning of the Airborne operations AVSM 1983 North of Dacca. He subsequently moved to Dacca to Command the IAF element when he rendered valuable professional assistance to the newly formed Bangladesh Air Force.

While serving in Air Headquarters it was under his stewardship that a categorisation scheme for ATC Officers was introduced for the first time. This has gone a long way in enhancing the safety of operational environment.

In recent years as Provost Marshal of the Air Force, Air Cmde Mohanchandra displayed great maturity and competence in handling the multifarious facets of his responsibilities. Since 1981, he has been Senior Officer-in-charge Administration South Western Air Command. Air Commodore Kotarapurath Govind Mohanchandra has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.