During the operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Vinod Patney was serving in an Operational Squadron in a forward area. He flew 16 operational sorties within the short period.

On 13th September, 1965, he took part in a ground attack mission in the Kasur-Khem Karan Sector and flew as No. 3 in a four aircraft formation. During the attack, the formation met with heavy and determined ground fire from the enemy guns. One of our aircraft was shot down. Undeterred and undaunted by this, Flight Lieutenant Patney pressed home five effective attacks on different enemy targets and destroying 3 Patton tanks. The courage and initiative displayed by Flight Lieutenant Vinod Patney were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Vinod Patney, VrC was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 31 May 61. The officer is an outstanding pilot and took part in the 1965 and 1971 operations. He was awarded Vir Chakra in 1965 and Mentioned in Despatch in 1971. After successfully undergoing the Royal Air Force Staff College Course in UK in 1973, the officer was specially selected to be part of the newly formed Career Planning Cell at Air HQ. This was followed by his appointment as instructor at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment in 1976. He commanded a fighter squadron in 1977. The Air officer has held important appointments of Chief Operations Officer of a major fighter base and in the Defence Planning Staff in 1987. This was followed by a tenure as Deputy Air Attaché at the Indian High Commission in London, UK. On his return, he commanded a premier fighter base.

On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal he was appointed as Air Officer Commanding Jammu and Kashmir (AOC J&K) in Sep 94. As AOC J&K, the officer has been performing a difficult task in difficult circumstances with great skill and success. He is largely responsible for the maintenance of high morale, inter­service and service­civil relations and successful completion of all Air tasks in the most efficient manner.

Air Vice Marshal Vinod Patney has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Vinod Patney AVSM, VrC, was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 31 May 61. The officer is an outstanding pilot and took active part in 1965 and 1971 operations. He was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1996, Vir Chakra in 1965 and Mention-in-Despatches in 1971, by the President of India.

A graduate of RAF Staff College Bracknell, UK, Air Marshal Patney has held a variety of important operational and Staff appointments during his service career. He was specially selected to be part of the newly formed Career Planning Cell at Air HQ in 1973 and also as an Instructor at TACDE on its formation in 1976. He commanded a frontline fighter Squadron with credit and was selected for deputation abroad as an Instructor in 1980. He also has the distinction of having served as an Instructor at CAW and TACDE. As Chief Operations Officer of a prestigious fighter base and subsequently as an AOC of a premier fighter station he performed exceptionally well. He was also selected to be a founder member of Defence Planning Staff in 1987 followed by a tenure as an Air Adviser at High Commission of India in UK.

On promotion to the rank of AVM he was appointed as AOC J&K at a time when militancy in this strife torn state was at its peak. He acquitted himself creditably and performed a difficult task in adverse conditions with his outstanding skill and ingenuity. He was thereafter appointed Air Defence Commander at HQ WAC which was followed by an appointment as Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command, in the rank of Air Marshal.

Air Marshal Patney has the rare distinction of being AOC-in-C of two operational Commands of the IAF. He held the appointment of AOC-in-C, Central Air Command from 01 Jul 96 to 31 Mar 97 and on 01 Apr 97 he took over the reins of Western Air Command, which is the premier operational command of the IAF. As AOC-in-C of these two operational Commands of the IAF he has strived hard relentlessly to improve work culture, morale and motivation and operational preparedness of both the Commands. With his innovative skill and conceptual foresight he has introduced the concept of self help approach in almost all aspects of operations, maintenance and administration which has resulted in large savings to the exchequer by utilising untapped human and infrastructural resources available within the Command. He has been instrumental in initiating a series of major drives for clearance of vegetation at all airfields to reduce accidents due to bird strikes, beautification of technical and domestic areas at all stations, improving the quality of output by the MES and most important of all improving the quality of life of Air Force personnel specially at remote and difficult stations. Air Marshal Patney in a short time has given a tremendous impetus to the overall operational potential of Western Air command and has brought about a sea change in its operational preparedness state.

Air Marshal Vinod Patney AVSM, VrC has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Vinod Patney has been in command of Western Air Command since 01 April 97. Operation Vijay was launched to evict the enemy from Kargil heights in May1999. Western Air Command was given the responsibility for conduct of air operations in the area. Use of Air Power in such mountainous terrain had no precedence in the past. The enemy was entrenched at heights of 15,000 feet and above and was well equipped with mobile Surface to Air Missiles. The rules of engagement of target by our aircraft were constrained and the higher directions of war mandated implicit respect of the Line of Control. Despite these limitations, Air Marshal Vinod Patney effectively mobilised the forces placed under him to plan and execute the operational plan. The Indian Army was under pressure from enemy ground forces, but as soon as the IAF went into action, the tide was turned. Initial loss of aircraft was analysed in a professional and confident manner and new tactics were developed. Air attacks continued with devastating effect. With his incisive ability he took bold decisions to direct air attacks on enemy targets, which resulted in inflicting maximum damage on the war making po tential of the enemy. The enemy capitulated in a time span shorter than anticipated. The tangible success of air operations eventually enabled the Army to physically eject the intruders with minimal losses.

The success of air operations in Op Vijay was highly decisive and without parallel in the history of aerial warfare. The outstanding leadership provided by Air Marshal Vinod Patney during this period was the clinching factor for success of air operations. His professional abilities and willingness to take bold decisions in war effectively proved to be the turning point in the military victory in Op Vijay.

Air Marshal Vinod Patney displayed professional leadership and devotion to duty of the highest order.