Air Commodore SM Sethi was commissioned in the Flying Branch as a transport pilot on 16 Mar 65. He holds the highest transport aircrew category and has more than 8700 hours of accident free flying on various types of aircraft with extensive experience in the difficult terrain of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. He is fully operational on all roles undertaken by transport aircraft including bombing. He has held appointment of Flight Commander, has commanded two transport squadrons and has been a Group Commander in NCC.

His first tenure as a Commanding Officer of an AN-32 squadron was dedicated to the task of providing much needed supplies and mobility to IPKF in Sri Lanka. Air Cmde Sethi was appointed as the Commanding Officer of the only AN-32 transport squadron. Under his exemplary leadership and professional guidance, the squadron achieved all tasks. He improved the categorisation state, ensured a higher serviceability state and maintained a record of zero accidents due to human error and also fulfilled the bombing tasks.

Air Cmde Sethi was the type force commander for battalion group para drop exercises, conducted in May 95 and Apr 96. He led a large formation of AN-32 aircraft by night and achieved excellent results in both exercises without any incident. This was possible due to his extensive preparation with an eye for the minute details and thorough briefings and de-briefings.

For distinguished services of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Air Cmde SM Sethi.