Squadron Leader Jnan Ranjan Chatterjee (5851) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) joined the Air Force as a Wireless Operator in the year 1944. He was selected for flying duties as a Signaller (Air) in the year 1948. He stood first in the Signallers' (Air) Course and was detailed for instructional duties for Signallers from 1953 to 1958. As a Signaller he has flown 3829 hours on various operational and VVIP flights in a variety of transport aircraft. He was awarded Transport Aircrew Category 'A' which he has held for eight years. After successful completion of training at Air Force Technical College, he was granted Commission in the Technical Signals Branch in the year 1958.

He was posted as Senior Technical Officer at an operational unit in February, 1974. On taking over, he found that the radar set of his unit was due for major overhaul and replacement. The normal time estimated for this major task was 18 days. By applying management techniques, this officer planned, organized and executed the task in a remarkably short time of six days. During this period, the officer showed outstanding professional knowledge and exceptional administrative abilities and meticulous care for details.

On 25th March, 1974 the radar set became unserviceable. Though this repair task was beyond the normal scope of a front line unit, the officer with great confidence organized and accomplished the repair task within the unit resources. On 30th June, 1974 the set again became unserviceable. Though the task was beyond the scope of the unit, the officer with great zeal and single minded devotion got the repair carried out within the unit resources within six days.

The officer also displayed great ingenuity, professional skill and originality of thought by fabricating a cheap substitute component for which the foreign make Very High Frequency Radio Vehicle was lying unserviceable for about 18 months. The officer is also responsible for enhancing the life of a filter in a foreign make generating set. This has helped in saving of Rs. 200 per month in this unit alone.

Squadron Leader Jnan Ranjan Chatterjee, throughout his service career has displayed qualities of originality, leadership, innovation, capacity for hard work, consummate skill and thoroughness for details. He has thus rendered distinguished service of high order.