Wing Commander Kulbhashan Raj Bali has functioned as the Chief Technical Officer of a Signal Unit from 24 Oct 83 to 03 Apr 88.

This unit was first to be equipped with a new type of Radar and it went in for its first major overhaul in Aug 87. As the overhaul started in Aug 87 it was evident that the unit would have to shoulder the major portion of the overhaul task.

The potain Crane used to lift various components of the antenna drive system was not available for the overhaul. Wg Cdr RK Bali, and his technical officers of the unit designed and fabricated a lifting device that served the purpose extremely well. The heaviest component that the device lifted was weighing 2.3 tonnes. This igneous invention eliminates that total dependence of such units on the expensive imported cranes.

Wg Cdr Bali has been instrumental in saving foreign exchange and weeks in the availability of such an important radar.

For his professional competence, rare degree of innovative skill and a very high level of human endurance and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Bali.

Air Commodore KR Bali, VSM was commissioned on 30 Oct 66 in the AE(L) B ranch of the IAF. The officer has held various staff and key appointments like Chief Technical Officer of a premier radar unit, Chief Engg Officer of a fighter Base and Joint Director/ Director at Air Headquarters. The officer is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College. He was commended by the CAS in 1986 and awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1989.

As the Chief Engineering Officer of Air Force Station, Srinagar (Nov 92 to Apr 95) the officer had organised all activities in this very important base extremely efficiently and during the most troubled times in the valley. Always leading by the front, the officer gave near 100% result in vast spectrum of activities despite tremendous environmental and climatological problems. He also helped in operationalising high altitude air to ground range as well as in evolving a unique plan for Air Defence of the valley. The station had picked up trophies of the best Fighter Squadron and best maintained Station in Western Air Command during his tenure. In his present appointment as Director Plan ADGES, the officer is required to look after one of the most demanding systems concerning Air Defence Radar and Communications network of the IAF. He helped to evolve a new overhaul policy for radars resulting in saving of approx Rs. 15 crores per radar alone without compromising assured availability. Similarly, the officer has made concerted efforts for indigenization resulting in saving of crores of rupees yet ensuring enhanced operational availability. His participation in complex state-of-the-art futuristic projects has helped extract better dividends from numerous PSUs/organisations, The officer has also done pioneering work in a large number of studies like rationalisation of the IAF manpower, revised Air Defence Plan, trifurcation of AE Branches and trade restructuring etc. The officer has brought to bear his very matured thinking and exceptional foresight In all these vital areas which will result in tremendous long term benefits to the IAF.

Air Commodore KR Bali, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.