Group Captain Surinder Singh Chauhan (7853) AE (M) has been functioning as the Chief Engineering Officer of an operational wing since 20 Nov 86. This wing is the base for two Vajra Squadrons, one Chitra Sqn and a Chetak Flight.

Gp Capt Chauhan took over charge which the Vajra force was in the process of consolidation. To ensure that the force was able to carry out its frequently operational and training commitments outside its home command, it was essential that the second line maintenance back up at base for the airframe, engine and other components was geared up for immediate response for the needs of the detachments. He played a key roll in improving the serviceability of Vajra & Chetak aircraft based at his base. In addition, he has carried out modification roll on all Vajra aircraft and its engine in a most professional manner.

Gp Capt Chauhan has been a dynamic Chief Engineering Officer who has, through deep involvement, correct direction and excellent man management, established an exceptional standard of maintenance at the wing.

For his exceptional devotion to duty, outstanding dynamism and professional competence of the highest order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt Surinder Singh Chauhan.

Air Vice Marshal Surender Singh Chauhan VSM (7853) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Oct 63. The officer held various staff and other key appointments, including that of Senior Test Engineer at Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment, Chief Engineering Officer at Mirage base, Command Engineering Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command, and Director Engineering 'A' and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Engineering 'B') at Air Headquarters (VB). The officer is a Graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College. As Chief Engineering Officer of Mirage base, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 1989.

During Dec 95 to Jul 96, as Director Engineering 'A' responsible for the maintenance of Russian combat fleet, he carried out a composite study defining the future maintenance needs of all MiG Variants and finalised provisioning contracts to the tune of Rs. 292 crores, accepted and executed by the MOD. This included the contract enabling setting up of indigenous overhaul facilities for MiG­29 aircraft.

In Jul 96, the Air Officer was promoted and appointed as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Engg 'B'), responsible for the maintenance of complete Indo-Western aircraft fleet. During his tenure, there has been a marked uptrend in serviceability state, attributed to the extraordinary perception of the Air Officer in resolving the production bottlenecks in HAL/IAF. He also completed a vital study on restructuring of the Aeronautical Engineering branches in the IAF.

Air Vice Marshal Surender Singh Chauhan VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Surender Singh Chauahan AVSM VSM (7853) AE (M) was commissioned in IAF in Oct 1963. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering, he successfully completed his conversion course in Aeronautical Engineering and Engineering Management in IAF from Air Force Technical College at Bangalore in 1964. During his 37 years of meritorious service in IAF, he has qualified on a number of Fighters, Transports and Helicopters of IAF including modern front line aircraft like Mirage-2000. He was trained abroad on Jaguar aircraft and jet engine testing procedures on test bed. He is an alumni of National Defence College, New Delhi and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

A renowned Aeronautical Engineer in the aviation circles of the country, Chauhan has held various appointments in IAF. The most coveted of these have been as Chief Engineer in Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) where he was involved in instrumentation and modification of various aircraft systems for flight testing and evaluation and as Chief Engineer of the only Mirage-2000 base in IAF. He was Director of Engineering at Air HQ and was in charge of the entire Russian fleet of fighters, transports and helicopters. He also served as Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of Eastern Air Command.

In the present appointment as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Engineering) at Air HQ, AVM SS Chauhan has been in charge of maintenance of Western origin fleet and basic trainers. The sustained records of high serviceability and healthy flight and maintenance safety records of the fleet under him are a reflection of his foresight and managerial skill.

Air Vice Marshal Surender Singh Chauahan has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.