Wing Commander Balchandra Ganesh Chitnis was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force on 4 Aug 56. During this period he has held various Staff appointments at Command and Air Headquarters.

In Oct 78, he took over the duties of Deputy Director (POL) at Air Headquarters. This Deputy Director deals with the provisioning and supply of all items of petroleum, oil and lubricants as well as compressed gases. Since the range of material is vital for the operation of Air Force, it is of paramount importance that constant vigil is kept on the availability of adequate stocks and no effort is spared to avert low stock situation which may be determinal to the operational preparedness of Air Force.

When Wing Commander Chitnis took over his duties, the country was in the grip of severe fuel crisis and consequently supply of aviation fuels at Air Force airfields was adversely affected.

Wing Commander Chitnis was quick on to grasp the gravity of the situation and though beyond the call of normal duty, formulated plans for movement of fuels from Refineries and Port Installations of Indian Oil Corporation to various Air Force airfields. This task involved deciding upon the production levels of the Refineries, firming up the targets for movement of rail tank wagons and arranging alternative modes of conveyance viz. tank trucks, barrels etc. for effective and purposeful planning and its execution. He took timely and sustained action at all levels to ensure fuel stocks at our strategic airfields remained within acceptable limits and operational preparedness was not impaired due to inadequacy of fuel stocks. Because of his single minded, persistent and relentless efforts, supply situation of Aviation Turbine Fuel, used by all combat aircraft gradually improved.

With the diligence, vivid imagination, mature judgment, sense of perception, sound pragmatic approach and total dedication, Wing Commander Balchandra Ganesh Chitnis has rendered distinguished service. For this Rashtrapati is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Balchandra Ganesh Chitnis.