On 21st May, 1977, while on an instruc tional sortie in local flying area on an aircraft, Squadron Leader Swaran Singh Banga experienced a flame out at a height of 2500 meters as a result of technical failure. Relighting efforts were not successful. There was sufficient height for safe ejection by both occupants of the aircraft. But in older to save the valuable aircraft, Squadron Leader Banga decided to force land on a runway under construction at a critical distance. He remained fully composed throughout the emergency and executed a well judged forcedlanding against heavy odds which included manoeuvering skillfully to avoid bulldozers playing on the runway just seconds before touchdown.

In this action, Squadron Leader Swaran Singh Banga displayed outstanding courage, professional skill and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.

Gp Capt Swaran Singh Banga has been commanding an Air Force Station since 28 Nov 88. During his tenure as Station Commander, the officer showed high leadership qualities resulting in significant enhancement in the operational potential of this base.

Being a Forward Base Support Unit, it has been planned to have limited manpower and material resources commensurate with its envisaged tasks. However, due to overall shortages in the Air Force, the station suffered further cuts in its manpower placing its already meagre resources under considerable strain.

This base is one of the most important forward air fields of WAC. Due to the prevailing Indo-Pak tension over the last 7-8 months, the base has had to be activated operationally a number of times. Detachments of various types of aircraft have operated from this base on a number of occasions. Despite the serious constraints, Gp Capt Banga had harnessed the resources placed under his command admirably well and provided support of a very high order, thereby contributing to the operational preparedness of the IAF. His management and re-organisation of resources to strengthen, the defences of his base against internal security threats have been most effective and praiseworthy.

For the outstanding leadership qualities displayed by him, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt SS Banga.