Squadron Leader Pratap Rao was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in August, 1956. He has been on the Aircrew Examining Board since July, 1972. He has flown over 4000 hours on single engine aircraft and out of these over 2100 hours are on instructional or examining duties on 10 different types of aircraft. He holds an A-2 Instructional Category on 8 aircraft and Master Green Rating on 5 types of aircraft, which is an achievement of an exceptional order. As a Flying Instructor, he has carried out his duties with the utmost devotion and dedication. He has helped in improving the categorisation state of the Qualified Flying Instructors in the Air Force to a very great extent.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Pratap Rao displayed courage, professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Air Vice Marshal Pratap Rao was commissioned in the Air Force on 2 August 1956. Throughout his career spanning over 32 years, he has held number of important field, staff and instructional appointments which include command of an NCC Air Sqn, Air Force Examiner at Air Crew Examining Board, command of a Fighter Squadron, Deputy Director Air Staff Inspection at Air HQrs Military, Naval & Air Attaché at Bangkok and command of two operational air bases. He has also held the post of Planning Officer (Air) in the Department Defence Production in Ministry of Defence. He has flown over 2100 hrs instructional/examining duties on 10 different types of aircraft. He has also participated in 1965 Indo-Pak Conflict. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College.

In July 1977, he was specially selected as Deputy Director Air Staff Inspection at Air Headquarters. During this tenure, he formulated inspection guidelines that, even today, form the basis of inspection procedures and standards at Air For operational wings and squadrons.

In February 1986, Air Vice Marshal Rao was appointed as Air Officer Commanding of a fighter air base. Under his leadership, the Maintenance Wing the station was made more efficient and flying effort of the locally based Fighter Squadrons almost doubled as a result of improved aircraft serviceability. The base, thus, attained a very high standard of operational preparedness.

Air Vice Marshal Pratap Rao, VM has thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Pratap Rao was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 25 August 1956. He has held numerous important command and staff appointments. Being an A2 Qualified Flying Instructor he was sent on deputation to a friendly country to impart training to its pilots. Subsequently, he was posted to Aircrew Examining Board where he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 1975 for utmost devotion to duty. He was also specially selected for the appointment of Military, Naval and Air Attaché to Bangkok. On return he was appointed as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of a major fighter base in the Western Sector, where for his distinguished service of an exceptional order, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1989. He has also held important assignments such as Planning Officer in the Department of Defence Production, Director Intelligence and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Inspection).

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, the Air Officer was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of the Western Air Command (WAC). In this assignment the Air Officer made significant contributions to the operational plans and their execution. The Air Officer was then appointed as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of WAC. In a very short time the Air Officer was able to appreciate the priorities of Govt and dovetail them with the Command plans, which increased the operational potential of the Command without any additional resources or expenditure.

The Air Officer is presently holding the vital appointment of Vice Chief of the Air Staff. In this assignment, the Air Officer brings to bear his best operational and staff experience. 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 Pratap Rao, AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.