Air Commodore Uttam Khushalani, Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in April, 1955. He has held important staff and field appointments including Deputy Director, Data processing and Chief Engineering Officer of an operational flying station under WAC. In 1968 he graduated in the Advanced Air Armament Course at the Institute of Armament Technology, Pune. He took over command of a Base Repair Depot in Oct 83.

This Depot is responsible for the overhaul on AN-12 aircraft and Mi-8 helicopter along with their aeroengines and accessories. Besides the normal task of repair and overhaul, this Depot was also given the additional responsibility of preparation of Mi-8 helicopters for Antarctica Expedition, modification of Akbar helicopters for VVIP standard, preparation of Mi-8 helicopter for operation 'Faith' at Bhopal and modification of Mi-8 for special heliborne operations. Under his able and highly professional guidance the Depot not only completed these special tasks in time but also sent working parties to operational units to bring up serviceability of the Mi-8 fleet by servicing long outstanding AOG helicopters.

Air Commodore Uttam Khushalani has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.