Service No & Branch | 6497 F(P) (Orig: GD(P)) | Stream :Fighters | ![]() | ||||||||||||||
Date of Birth: -- --- ---- | Commissioned: 26 May 1962 | Course: 81 Course | |||||||||||||||
Service End: | Retired on 31 Oct 2002 Superannuated | Nick Name : Jimmy | |||||||||||||||
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Badges Qualified ![]() | |||||||||||||||||
Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "V K Bhatia" |
![]() Flt Lt | ![]() Sqn Ldr | ![]() Air Mshl |
Dates | Rank | Unit | Location | Appointment | Photo |
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01 Jan 1961 - 31 Dec 1961 | Flt Cdt | Air Force Flying College | Jodhpur | Cadet | |
01 Jan 1962 - 26 May 1962 | Flt Cdt | Jet Training Wing | Hakimpet | Cadet | |
01 Jun 1962 - 01 Nov 1962 | Plt Offr | Jet Training Wing | Hakimpet | Trainee Pilot | |
01 Nov 1962 - 31 Jan 1963 | Plt Offr | No.47 Squadron | Kalaikunda | Squadron Pilot | |
01 Feb 1963 - 01 Aug 1963 | Fg Offr | No.29 Squadron | Tezpur | Squadron Pilot | |
01 Apr 1964 - 01 Aug 1966 | Fg Offr | No.8 Squadron | Adampur/ Ambala | Squadron Pilot | |
01 Mar 1967 - 31 Mar 1967 | Fg Offr | No.108 Squadron | Bagdogra | Squadron Pilot | |
01 Apr 1967 - 31 Mar 1968 | Flt Lt | No.47 Squadron | Hashimara | Squadron Pilot | |
01 Apr 1968 - 31 Jul 1969 | Flt Lt | No.37 Squadron | Hasimara | Squadron Pilot | |
01 Aug 1969 - 31 Mar 1972 | Flt Lt | No.32 Squadron | Ambala | Squadron Pilot | |
01 Apr 1972 - 31 Mar 1974 | Sqn Ldr | Aircrew Examination Board | Hindan | Flying Examiner | |
01 Apr 1974 - 31 Aug 1976 | Sqn Ldr | Iraq AF | Iraq | Flying Instructor | |
01 Sep 1976 - 31 Dec 1976 | Sqn Ldr | Aircrew Examination Board | Hindan | Flying Examiner | |
01 Dec 1977 - 30 Apr 1978 | Wg Cdr | 7 Wing | Ambala | Chief Operations Officer | |
01 May 1978 - 31 Dec 1980 | Wg Cdr | Air Head Quarters | Delhi | Deputy Director, Intelligence | |
05 Jan 1981 - 01 May 1983 | Wg Cdr | No.220 Squadron | Jodhpur | Commanding Officer | |
01 Sep 1983 - 31 Aug 1984 | Wg Cdr | Air Head Quarters | Delhi | Joint Director (Offensive Operations) | |
01 Sep 1984 - 31 Mar 1987 | Gp Capt | 21 Wing | Leh | Chief Operations Officer | |
01 Apr 1987 - 28 Feb 1988 | Gp Capt | Air Head Quarters | Delhi | Deputy Director (Air Staff Inspection) | |
25 Mar 1988 - 31 Aug 1988 | Air Cmde | 8 Wing | Adampur | Air Officer Commanding | |
01 Sep 1988 - 28 Feb 1990 | Air Cmde | Eastern Air Command | Shillong | Air-I | |
05 Mar 1990 - 12 Jan 1992 | Air Cmde | 1 Wing | Srinagar | Air Officer Commanding | |
01 Jan 1992 - 31 Dec 1992 | Air Cmde | Royal College of Defence Studies | London, UK | Staff Course | |
01 Jan 1993 - 31 May 1994 | AVM | CoSC | Delhi | DDG (DPS) | |
21 Mar 1994 - 03 Jul 1994 | AVM | Air Head Quarters | Delhi | Additional Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Operations | |
01 Jun 1994 - 31 Jan 1996 | AVM | Air Operations, Air HQ | Delhi | Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Operations | |
01 Feb 1996 - 30 Jun 1996 | Air Marshal | PSO: Inspection & Safety, Air HQ | Delhi | Inspector General (Inspection & Safety) | |
01 Jul 1996 - 21 Dec 1997 | Air Marshal | Western Air Command | Delhi | Senior Air Staff Officer | |
22 Dec 1997 - 31 Oct 1999 | Air Marshal | Central Air Command | Allahabad | Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief | |
01 Nov 1999 - 31 Jul 2001 | Air Marshal | South Western Air Command | Gandhinagar | Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief | |
01 Aug 2001 - 28 Apr 2002 | Air Marshal | Western Air Command | Delhi | Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief | |
29 Apr 2002 - 31 Oct 2002 | Air Marshal | PSO: Inspection & Safety, Air HQ | Delhi | Inspector General (Inspection & Safety) | |
Incomplete Information? Additions? Corrections? Please download Template File and follow instructions. |
Vir Chakra | ||||
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Flt Lt | Vinod Kumar Bhatia | 6497 GD(P) | Award Date 08 Sep 1965 | Announced 01 Jan 1966 |
Details : | ![]() During the operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Vinod Kumar Bhatia was serving in an Operational Squadron in the Lahore Sector. He flew 18 operational sorties in that Sector. On 8th September, 1965, Flight Lieutenant Bhatia flew as No. 2 in a formation of four Mystere aircraft on a ground attack strike mission. In the face of very heavy and concentrated enemy fire, Flight Lieutenant Bhatia, totally unmindful of the danger, to which he was exposed, pressed home repeated attacks on the enemy tanks and gun positions and destroyed two tanks. The courage and determination displayed by Flight Lieutenant Vinod Kumar Bhatia were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. | |||
Unit : 8 Sqn | ||||
Reference : Gazette of India , 12th February 1966 - No.15 - Pres/66 dated 1st January 1966 |
Bar to Vir Chakra | ||||
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Sqn Ldr | Vinod Kumar Bhatia | 6497 F(P) | Award Date | Announced 26 Jan 1972 |
Details : | ![]() During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Squadron Leader Vinod Kumar Bhatia was a flight commander of a Fighter Bomber Squadron. He flew a large number of missions deep inside enemy territory and brought back useful information. He also led three deep-penetration counter air strikes against enemy airfields, which were heavily defended by Anti Aircraft Guns. On his subsequent missions, notwithstanding heavy ground fire and patrolling by enemy aircraft, he pressed home his attacks. He was responsible for the destruction of three enemy aircraft and numerous other military installations on the ground. He also carried out interdiction missions disrupting enemy lines of communication. In addition, he provided close air support to our ground forces. Throughout the operations, Squadron Leader Vinod Kumar Bhatia displayed gallantry, determination and professional skill of a high order. | |||
Unit : 32 Sqn | ||||
Reference : Gazette of India , 17th June 1972 - No.76 - Pres/72 dated 1st June 1972 |
Ati Vishist Seva Medal | ||||
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Air Cmde | Vinod Kumar Bhatia | 6497 F(P) | Award Date 26 Jan 1992 | Announced 26 Jan 1992 |
Details : | Air Commodore Vinod Kumar Bhatia has been Air Officer Commanding of one of the Air Force Wings since the 5th March, 1990. Since the officer assumed command of the station, the internal security situation in J&K has been precarious and a cause for grave national concern. Consequently, the station has been functioning constantly under threat of subversion to the extent of direct attack by the numerous militant cadres operating in the State of J&K. Under the circumstances, security of personnel, equipment and other assets of the station has been vitally important. Air Cmde Bhatia husbanded all his resources, established a close liaison with civil and military authorities in the State and succeeded in creating a secure environment for conduct of air operations from his base. Often internal/external compulsions have necessitated air bases under HQ WAC, to maintain a very high state of operational alert. Srinagar, being one of the forward most bases, has to be specially vigilant. Air Cmde Bhatia has kept his base at peak operational preparedness to meet any contingency. The Air Officer has also provided inspired leadership to the flying and other units based at his wing. Due to geographical location, the fighter squadron at Srinagar cannot utilise the air to ground range facilities as frequently as most fighter squadrons of WAC. Despite this handicap, No. 51 Sqn, located at his base succeeded in winning 'InterÂÂSquadron Weapons Meet' for 1990ÂÂ91. Due to extremely trying circumstances of virtual isolation from the civil amenities of Srinagar, personnel of the base have had to undergo considerable amount of hardship. Despite the difficulties, Air Cmde Bhatia has organised the Wing's administrative resources skillfully to provide all possible amenities to the personnel. The high morale of the station is a testimony to the officer's concern for the welfare of all personnel placed under him. Air Commodore Vinod Kumar Bhatia VrC* has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order. | |||
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Reference : GoI19920126 |