Squadron Leader Bapu Raghavaendrarao Madhava Rao (5944) was commissioned in Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in June, 1960. He was posted to a nucleus unit, which was set up to raise a new base repair depot for a supersonic fighter bomber aircraft in April, 1974. He was entrusted with the task of setting up facilities for the overhaul of 492 different types of rotables.

Having chalked out his plans to the last detail. Squadron Leader Rao started executing the task while the building construction and other civil engineering works were still in progress. In a record time of eight months, the rotables repair shops were ready for commissioning. When the nucleus unit was designated as a full-fledged base repair depot, the shops were already established to undertake internal and external repair tasks. This achievement enabled the depot to induct aircraft for overhaul within three months of its formation and to deliver the first over hauled aircraft to an operational squadron in less than seven months from the date of induction.

Subsequently, the rotables overhaul shops have fully met the requirement of other aircraft inducted for medium repair within an ambitious timeframe set for the assembly stage. Over and above meeting these commitments, the Depot made special efforts to clear 278 'Aircraft On Ground' demands of the operating squadrons with in the year 1975-76, although no firm task was placed on the Depot.

The contributions made by Squadron Leader (Now Wing Commander) Bapu Raghavendrarao Madhava Rao towards these achievements are commendable. For his professional competence, sincerity of purpose, loyalty to service and managerial ability, he is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Bapu Raghavendra Rao Madhava Rao was commissioned in the Technical Branch of the Indian Air Force on 21st June, 1960. During the two decades of his dedicated service, he has held various important and challenging appointments with distinction. For this outstanding contribution in the raising of a modern base repair dept, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1977. As Deputy Director incharge of maintenance of MiG-21 fleet since July 1978, his whole hearted involvement, intelligent planning and effective management of the weapon system have yielded remarkable results.

Wing Commander Madhava Rao found that a large number of aircraft were falling due for replacement of nose and main undercarriages on life expiry. He arranged for fatigue tests to be carried out within the country, as a result of which it was possible to safely increase the life of the undercarriages to coincide with the life expiry of aircraft. Thus, grounding of a large number of aircraft was avoided and savings of several lakhs of rupees in foreign exchange was affected.

A large number of costly components of MiG-21 aircraft were nearing completion of calendar life specified by the manufacturers. Wing Commander Madhava Rao initiated an extensive programme of scientific tests and trials for ascertaining the safe calendar life of these components. As a result of this extraordinary measure, it was possible to fix the calendar life to 15 years and thereby improve the availability of rotoables for smooth sustenance of the fleet.

A very serious problem, which had almost defied solution, was that of corrosion of MiG engines in the saline atmosphere of the Air Force Stations. Wing Commander Madhava Rao arranged close monitoring of various preventive methods on the engine. Finally, with the help of the specialists of HAL, a long term solution has been evolved. Implementation of this preventive measure has shown very encouraging results. Having carried out a detailed study of the various causes of engine flame out, Wing Commander Madhava Rao has initiated a number of pre ventive and corrective measures in conjunc tion with the manufacturers, overhaul agency and the operating units. During the past nine months, there has not been a single case of engine flame out in the air or on the ground. He has served the cause of MiG-21 fleet in exemplary manner.

Wing Commander Bapu Raghavendra Rao Madhava Rao has thus displayed professional competence, leadership capabilities and devotion to duty of exceptional order.