Gp Capt Bhojwani, commissioned in IAF on 16 Oct 65, has held various responsible appointments including Chief Instructor at FIS, CO of two front line fighter squadrons, DS at College of Air Warfare and at DSSC and Chief Operations Officer.

The officer had the distinction of commanding two front line fighter squadrons, both operating MiG-21 aircraft in the operational training role in the Eastern Sector. He ensured a high standard of training and discipline and the squadrons displayed a perfect Flight Safety record. It was due to Gp Capt Bhojwani's leadership that, in Jan 87, when a sudden need arose, the squadron shifted smoothly to the operational role and deployed to a non-flying FBSU in the Western Sector and was declared battle-ready in a matter of 24 hours.

In Sep 88, Gp Capt Bhojwani was posted as COO at a premier IAF base. Displaying a rare combination of academic and practical insight, he helped further streamline the operational potential of the station, with particular emphasis on the integration of the two new SAGW systems introduced into service at that time. He carried out a fresh threat assessment for the Extended BADZ which led to the redeployment of MOFs. Subsequent exercises proved the efficacy of the new deployment.

A significant contribution of Gp Capt Bhojwani has been in updating the existing personnel policies, and making them more comprehensive. The complete overhaul of the policy on operational augmentation of manpower in the event of hostilities, introduction of computerised leave returns for all officers of the service, so as to ensure prompt auditing and payment of retirement benefits and carrying out in-depth studies in the area of manpower planning and their training are examples of this officer's initiative and attention to details.

For distinguished service of a very high order and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt S Bhojwani.

Air Commodore S Bhojwani, VSM was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 16 Oct 65. He has held the appointment of Air Force Examiner and has done instructional assignments at Defence Services Staff College and College of Air Warfare. He commanded two MiG­21 Squadrons and served as Chief Operations Officer at a front line Jaguar base. He has also held staff appointments at Directorate of Operations (Offensive) and Personnel (Officers) at Air HQ. He was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1993. He is an A-1 Qualified Flying Instructor, a Fighter Combat Leader and a graduate of RAF Staff College, UK.

Air Cmde S Bhojwani was appointed as Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Gwalior on 06 Feb 95. Soon thereafter the station was given responsibility for conduct of major Air Force exercises in this sector. He met the exacting demands of induction of a large number of fighter detachments, Missile elements and radar units from other Commands. He worked tirelessly at activating the Singpur Air to Ground firing Range, using only local resources. This range is now an invaluable asset and is being used regularly. He conceived the automation of observation post reports and range firing accuracy with the help of computers and has inculcated wide spread awareness of intelligent use of computers.

All tasks were achieved without compromising on the routine administration of the station, while providing better living and working conditions for the personnel of the station. The serviceability of aircraft and flying effort have both gone up significantly during his tenure.

Air Commodore Subhash Bhojwani has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Subhash Bhojwani AVSM VSM (9734) F(P) was commissioned in the IAF as a Fighter Pilot on 16 October 1965. He has flown over 4500 hours on single engined aircraft, which include 31 combat mission in December 1971 in the Western Sector, for which he earned 'Mention-in-Dispatches'. He is a Fighter Combat Leader and one of only two IAF pilots holding QFI cat A-1. For his distinguished services, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1993 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1997. A graduate of RAF Staff College and Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies, Air Marshal Bhojwani has held prestigious field, staff and instructional appointments including CO of two fighter squadrons, Chief Operations Officer of flying station, instructional assignments at DSSC and College of Air Warfare, Air Officer Commanding of a premier fighter base, Director Ops Offensive and Air Staff Inspection, Commandant Air Force Academy and Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of Western Air Command, before being appointed as AOC-in-C Training Command since Jul 2004.

As Director Operations (Offensive), he systematised WWR management and measures to optimise availability of weapon and fuses (Project Checkmate). During Kargil operations, he was member of Core Group at Air HQ and was nominated as media spokesman for IAF in which capacity he brought into public focus the crucial role of air power in that conflict. During 2000-02, as commandant Air Force Academy, he restructured the training to optimise existing resources and improves training standards.

At the height of Op Parakram, Air Marshal Bhojwani was appointed SASO, WAC, where he was instrumental in bringing the entire operational assets of the Command to a very high state of readiness. During his two year tenure, he oversaw induction and operationalisation of new technology equipment such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Bison, Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR), Mi-35 upgrade and Integrated Command Air Tasking System (ICATS), as well as expansion of operational use of computer and data networks. The smooth conduct of several major exercises and flawless completion of Op Meghdoot tasks bear testimony to his conceptualisation and management skills. His standard of staff work and related activities has set a benchmark for others to follow.

As AOC-in-C Training Command Air Mshl Bhojwani involved himself in the restructuring of training of airmen and the establishment of the AF Engineering College.

Air Marshal Subhash Bhojwani AVSM VSM has throughout rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.