Group Captain Brijendra Mohan Bali (8438) Flying (Pilot) is posted as the officer commanding of a fighter Reconnaissance Squadron since Sep 86.

He has over 3400 hrs of flying to his credit. He is graduate of Defence Service Staff College and has vast experience of staff and operational appointments. He had taken part in 1965 and 1971 indo-Pak conflict and had flown a number of Air Defence Close Support and Counter Air Operational missions.

To ensure his effectiveness in the Squadron, he converted himself onto the new type of aircraft and attained fully operational status within two months as against a normal time frame of six months. Through meticulous planning and personal involvement he raised the performance of his squadron to unprecedented levels not withstanding the constraints of manpower and equipment. During his tenure the Squadron had been tasked for maximum operational deployment.

During 1987-88, he personally led several photo reconnaissance and Elint Missions deep into operational areas with significant results. Gp Capt Bali and his Sqn undertook these missions with total disregard of the inherent risks and thus provided invaluable information for ensuring national security.

For his professionalism, exceptional qualities of keenness, determination and a very high degree of leadership displayed by him in the face of enemy, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to GP Capt BM Bali.

AVM Brijendra Mohan Ball VM (8438) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a fighter pilot, on 18 Apr 64. He has over 3800 hours of accident free flying to his credit on different fighter aircraft variants inclusive of over 600 hours on the MiG-25R. He has flown several operational missions during the Indo­Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971 and commanded the Air Force element at Jaffna during the IPKF operations in 1990. He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for personally leading several strategic reconnaissance and elint missions deep into operational areas,

AVM Bali is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and as a Fighter Combat Leader served as an instructor with the Iraqi Air Force. As Director of Plans at Air Hqs, he was personally involved in the procurement of important aircraft and radar equipment.

AVM Bali was appointed as Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Pathankot on 28 Aug 95. During the ensuing period he has progressively optimised maintenance and operational performance on the base to unprecedented levels with significant results. The base recorded an average increase of twenty percent in flying effort with corresponding improvements in the operational status of the fighter squadrons. During August 1996, the station was tasked with the airlift of over 9000 para­military personnel and equipment into J&K and the base responded to meet this special

commitments well

within

specified time

frames

and without impediments.

During his tenure, the station has been amongst the best administered wings of Western Air Command. During the induction of forces for Exercise Trishul, the station was able to effortlessly absorb additional strike squadrons and air defence elements comprising 600 officers and men. The exercise was also the proving ground for certain innovative measures and concepts which were successfully tried out under his guidance.

AVM Brijendra Mohan Ball VM has thus rendered distinguished service of exceptional order.

Air Marshal Brijendra Mohan Bali AVSM VM (8438) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 18 Apr 64. He has over 4200 hours of accident free flying to his credit on different fighter aircraft variants Inclusive of over 600 hours on the MiG-25R. He is a qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. He has flown several operational missions during the Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971 and commanded the Air Force element at Jaffna during the IPKF operations in 1990. In addition, during his distinguished service of over 38 years, he had held several challenging field, staff and instructional appointments, which include Instructor with Iraqi Air Force, D Plans, ACAS (Insp), IG and SASO HQ CAC, IAF. Presently, he is AOC-in-C, CAC since 01 Feb 03.

During 1987-88, Air Mshl Bali personally led several photo-reconnaissance and ELINT missions deep into operational areas with total disregard of the inherent risks, providing significant results and valuable information for national security. He was awarded VM (G) for his determination and courage. As Director of Plans at Air HQs, he was personally involved in the procurement of important aircraft and radar equipment. As Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Pathankot on 28 Aug 95, he progressively optimised maintenance and operational performance on the base to high levels with significant results. The base recorded an average increase of twenty percent in flying effort with corresponding improvements in the operational status of the fighter squadrons. During his tenure, the station had been amongst the best-administrated wings of Western Air Command and was able to absorb additional strike squadrons and air defence elements comprising 600 officers and men during exercise Trishul. As the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, which is geographically the largest operational command of the IAF, Air Mshl Bali has relentlessly pursued achievement of high levels of operational capability. With his inherent ability of visualizing task requirements towards attainment of future goals, timely analysis and planning towards critical requirements, he has ensured the highest operational capability of Mirage and Jaguar fleets. The smooth induction of IL-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft in Central Air Command coupled with relevant training of modern generation fighter aircraft has been a major achievement during his tenure. During his tenure as IG, the accident rate in the IAF was amongst the lowest recorded for the several years. The Air Mshl through his efforts has given the requisite thrust to computerisation and networking. He has taken deep Interest in the welfare and growth of the personnel.

Air Marshal Bali has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.