Wing Commander Kapil Kak was commissioned in the Flying (Navigator) branch of the Indian Air Force in Nov 62. He served with distinction as a Navigator in transport and bomber Squadron and lastly in Air Headquarters Communication Squadron where aircrew with proven merit are posted. Till date he has flown 4580 hours and for his flying proficiency he had held transport category 'A' an exceptional achievement for a transport aircrew.

He successfully graduated from Defence Services Staff College in Nov 75. In view of his excellent record as VVIP/VIP aircrew, in Jun 78, he was selected to take up the duties of DD OPS (VIP) in the Dte of Ops (T&M) at Air Headquarters. In this appointment he was assigned an exacting task of complete reorganization of the VIPs' Cell with a view to streamline its functioning. By dint of sheer hard work, resourcefulness and deep professional knowledge, he rose to the occasion and in short span of time he was able to give a face-lift to the VIPs' Cell.

Planning and coordination of VVIP/VIP Flights involve liaison with civil/service agencies at various levels. It is largely a measure of his personal tact, organizing ability, purposeful intelligence and dedicated hard work that all VVIP/VIP commitments were carried out to complete satisfaction of his superiors. The officer had to put in 15 to 18 hours of work a day to organize VVIP/VIP flights, particularly during Lok Sabha/Assembly elections held in the last two years. To arrange a VVIP flight involving both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters and entailing activation of as many as 15 to 17 helipads on a single day. With cool determination, exemplary zeal and unflinching devotion to duty, he was able to accomplish the task creditably. Some of his noticeable achievements in the Dte are appended below:- a. During the last three years, flying effort devoted towards VVIP/VIP flights has increased by 20%. From 3100 in 1976 the effort increased to 3900 hours in 1979. Wing Commander Kak handled the increased commitments with requisite professional skill and utmost confidence. b. The entire procedure for obtaining, processing and forwarding the special flight return for the VVIP/VIP flights has been rationalized. c. He has made significant contribution in identifying suitable replacement for TU-124 aircraft in Air Headquarters Communication Squadron and also in determining the Standard of Preparation for AN-32 (the proposed METAC). *Name as it appears in the Gazette is Kapila Kak - the original name of the Officer. d. Considerable staff action has been put in by him to have the necessary modification done on Mi-8 helicopters for undertaking VVIP/VIP flights.

Throughout, Wing Commander Kapil Kak has displayed remarkable sense of duty, singular intelligence and professional competence of a very high order. By his personal example and relentless enthusiasm he has won for him the confidence of his superiors and willing support of his subordinates. For his distinguished service of a very high order, Rashtrapati is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Kapil Kak.

Air Commodore Kapil Kak VSM (6784) F (N) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in November, 1962. He served with distinction as a Navigator in Transport, Bomber and Air Headquarters Communication Squadron. He has flown over 5000 hours and has held the highest transport category. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and National Defence College (NDC). The Air Officer has held a number of important and sensitive Staff and Command appointments wherein he always displayed rare professionalism and dedication. He was awarded VSM for distinguished service in 1981.

The Air Officer was specially chosen as a Directing Staff at DSSC in 1981, where he served for three years. In 1984 he was appointed as the Commanding Officer of a Missile Combat Wing in Central Sector. It was due to his relentless hard work and sense of motivation that he was able to effectively integrate the Wing into the total Air Defence network. During his Command of the wing, one of the 'Combat' Squadrons and a 'Technical' Sqn were adjudged the best in the Air Force.

In recognition of his outstanding service profile, the officer was selected as Military, Naval and Air Attaché (MN&AA) in Indian Embassy at Bangkok in 1986. The officer lost no time in coming to the grips with the realties of his new assignment and with his extraordinary abilities he performed superbly in the field of diplomatic domain. This is evident from the fact that the Thai Govt proposed the award of “Most Exalted Order of White Elephant" (Third Class - Commander) to Air Cmde Kapil Kak but this award could not be received by the officer as Service rules do not permit the same.

For his proven professional capabilities and remarkable mental stamina, the officer was chosen as Air Assistant to Chief of the Air Staff in Dec 90. His natural ability to interact most effectively with bureaucracy and interservices at the highest level has been the hallmark of his professional excellence. He has now worked as Air Assistant with two Chiefs of the Air Staff and has displayed unusual capacity to withstand the implicit stress of this assignment.

Air Commodore Kapil Kak, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.