Wing Commander Prabhat Kumar Varma was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in November, 1954. He has been commanding a front line air defence fighter squadron since May, 1972. In 1973, during the adverse weather period, his squadron was required to move to a base which was not fully established and lacked most essential services. By his close supervision and drive, he surmounted all problems and made his unit functional both in flying and technical servicing in the shortest possible time. In 1973, the unit won most of the major sports events and the overall sports trophy in the inter­unit competitions.

Throughout, Wing Commander Prabhat Kumar Varma displayed courage, professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Air Marshal Prabhat Kumar Varma was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 6th November, 1954. In his long and distinguished career, he has held several key command and staff appointments with distinction. These include command of a Combat Squadron, Director of Personnel (Officers) and Director General of Defence Planning Staff.

A qualified flying instructor of repute, the Air Officer led a fighter squadron in 1972. Displaying unique leadership and zeal, he brought up the squadron to a high level of combat readiness in the shortest possible time. Later, he was appointed as the Chief Operations Officer of a Jaguar base. A graduate of Defence Services Staff College Wellington, the Air Officer commanded a front line fighter base in 1985. Being aware of the large number of operational units and infrastructural facilities based at his station he displayed remarkable ability to coordinate their roles to achieve the overall combat effectiveness of the vase during his command.

The Air Officer presently holds the crucial appointment of Air Officer incharge Personnel at Air HQs and continues to show a remarkable ability to produce the necessary man­machine interface for the efficiency of the Air Force.

Air Marshal Prabhat Kumar Varma, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Prabhat Kumar Varma was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on 06 Nov 54. Throughout his long and distinguished career he has held a variety of key Command and Staff appointments with distinction. These include command of a Combat Squadron, the only VVIP base, a major fighter base, Director of Personnel (Officers), Director General of Defence Planning Staff and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air HQ . He was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1975 for exceptional devotion to duty while commanding a combat squadron. Later, he was appointed the Chief Operations Officer of the first ever Jaguar base of the IAF. Subsequently the officer commanded the prestigious VVIP base, Air Force Station Palam in an exemplary manner. A graduate and Directing Staff of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Air Officer commanded a frontline fighter base in 1985. The Air Officer also held a very distinguished tenure as Senior Air Staff Officer of Southern Air Command during the induction phase of OP PAWAN. On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, the Air Officer was appointed Director General Defence Planning Staff in MOD. The Air Officer held the crucial appointment of Air Officerin-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters. Here, the Air Officer showed a remarkable ability to produce man-machine interface, which is so vital to a military service. For the distinguished service of exceptional order, he was awarded AVSM in 1993.

On assuming duties after major bypass surgery during Jan 93, not only he took over his own duties of the Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel, but was also entrusted with the arduous responsibilities of the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. Without showing any concern for his health, he rose to the occasion and discharged the dual responsibility in an exemplary manner wherein he displayed an extraordinary capacity to withstand the implicit stress and strain of the twin portfolios.

The Air Officer assumed the responsibilities of the DCAS at a time when the Nation was passing through the phase of ever mounting economic crunch. Despite the tight budgetary controls, he ensured that the expenditure was kept within the funds allotted without compromising the operational preparedness. He retailored the Air Force plans in conformity with the expected allocation and the changed strategic continental perceptions.

He has left an indelible imprint in the appointments that he has held during his chequered career spanning nearly four decades of dedicated service.

Air Marshal Prabhat Kumar Varma AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.