Squadron Leader Shiv Nath Rathour has been serving with the Air Headquarters Communication Squadron since February, 1968. He worked as the Navigation Leader of the unit for two years. He holds the highest transport category both on HS-748 and TU-124 aircraft. He has a total of 6035 flying hours to his credit, of which 1915 hours were flown while on the strength of this unit in conveying VIPs. Prior to his posting to this unit, he worked as a local examiner on AN-12 aircraft and did over 1500 hours of operational flying including night dropping sorties in operational area. He has been taking very keen and active part in sports and other extra­curricular activities of the Station and has worked tirelessly for the welfare of the personnel.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Shiv Nath Rathour displayed professional skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Air Force.

Air Commodore Shiv Nath Rathour was commissioned in December, 1958. In his span of 29 years, he has held with distinction varied appointments, both in the field and at higher formations. He is a highly qualified navigator and has maintained a high professional standard throughout.

Air Commodore Rathour has been the Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, New Delhi since 01 July 1985. The Station is established to provide administrative service to Indian Air Force personnel posted to Air Headquarters and scores of other units spread over Delhi. Besides, there is a heavy commitment for providing administrative service to personnel arriving on temporary duty at Air Headquarters. Station has also to cater for the highly sensitive and important task of providing helipad facilities for heli-lifts of VVIPs. The wide ranging and demanding task involves providing inputs for very important ceremonial functions like Republic Day Parade, Independence Day Celebrations, Guard of Honour to foreign dignitaries, etc. All the aforementioned duties involve tremendous administrative responsibility and challenge.

Air Commodore Rathour by his exceptional level of dedication, initiative and resourcefulness in performance of duties, provided a high level of motivation to his staff for putting in sustained and hard work to meet the challenge posed and has been able to bring about improvements in the output of Air Force Station, New Delhi, during his command.

Air Commodore Shiv Nath Rathour, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal SN Rathour, AVSM, VM was commissioned, as a Navigator on 19 Dec 58. He has held highest transport category on four types of aircraft and was selected for training in USSR on IL-14 and AN-12 aircraft. He was awarded VM for distinction in flying in Jan 74.

During his distinguished service spanning 37 years, the Air Officer has held many key field and staff appointments. He has commanded three Air Force Stations and was specially selected to train the Air Force Officers of a friendly country. For his distinguished service of exceptional order, he was awarded AVSM on 26 Jan 88.

The Air Officer was appointed President of Air Force Selection Board at Dehradun for 3 years where about 5000 candidates were interviewed and screened every year for selection as officers to various Branches of IAF. He was also appointed DG Resettlement and later held with distinction the appointment of Senior Officer in-charge Administration at HQ Central Air Command and HQ Western Air Command.

An alumnus of National Defence College, the Air Officer, on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, was appointed Air Officer incharge Personnel at Air HQ in Jan 94. The Air Officer showed a remarkable ability to produce man-machine interface which is so vital to a military service. The Air Officer with his vast knowledge, experience, acumen and finely developed managerial skills, very ably carried the gamut of perspective planning or personnel towards designing Human Resources Development Systems for the futuristic Air Force. These policies on implementation are bound to serve towards betterment of operational preparedness of the IAF.

Air Marshal Shiv Nath Rathour, AVSM, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.