Air Commodore Rajendra Kumar Dhawan VM (4736) F (P) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 17 Jul 54. He has flown over 4000 hours, mainly on jet fighters. He was awarded the 'Vayu Seva Medal' in 1976. He has commanded an operational Squadron and an operational Wing during his service career and has also held important staff and training appointments both in India and abroad. During his tenure as Air Attaché, Islamabad, he established good working relations by his tact and resourcefulness.

He commanded a major operational wing for two years, at which were located three fighter squadrons and several other units. During his command newly inducted fighter aircraft were fully and safely exploited. This was largely due to his hard work, organizational and leadership qualities. He developed the vital infrastructure, ensured adequate support from sections of the wing and maintained a safe flying environment. His wing won the WAC Trophies for the year 1982-83 for being the best in Maintenance and Administration.

Air Commodore Rajendra Kumar Dhawan VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Rajendra Kumar Dhawan was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on the 17th July, 1954. A graduate of the National Defence College and Long Defence Management Course, a fighter Pilot of repute, he has held a wide variety of important command and staff appointments with distinction.

He was entrusted with the command of a squadron to be re-equipped with a different variant of supersonic fighter aircraft in 1973, where he faced multiple problems of the new induction. He, however, overcame the problems with initiative, determination and innovative skill. Through untiring efforts, he created a nucleus from which the subsequent squadrons of similar types could be formed successfully.

As Deputy Commandant of the Air Force Academy, he was instrumental in improving the training standards in respect of officer trainees of all branches. Later, he was appointed as the Commandant of the College of Air Warfare where he guided a number of studies to update air warfare doctrines and strategies.

Promoted to the rank of Air Marshal in 1988, the Air Officer was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at the Air HQrs. He guided and supervised an extensive in-house re-appreciation of the long-term re-equipment plan and the preparation of the draft outline of the VIII Plan of the Indian Air Force. His other achievement has been re-tailoring of the Air Force plans and schemes in conformity with expected allocation, without curtailing the process of building up the operational potential. In April 1990, he was posted as the Senior Air Staff Officer of an important Operational Command. In this appointment, his operational and staff experience continued to be of immense value.