Wing Commander Mandhir Singh, a transport pilot, is posted as Flight Commander of Paratroopers Training School since 27 Aug 90.

Wing Commander Mandhir Singh has to his credit well over 9200 hrs of incident free flying, out of which 3300 hrs has been dedicated to AN-32 aircraft alone. He holds the signal credit of individual average of almost 730 hrs per year, in all types of terrain and adverse weather conditions. He holds the prestigious RHCP qualification on three different types viz. HS-748, C-46 and AN-32. His record of flying for 1300 hrs as Captain of AN-32 in perilous and treacherous terrain of Siachen proves his professional skill and constant pursuit to achieve perfection.

On 30 Jul 87, he commanded the first aeroplane to land at Jaffna airfield in a hostile environment and set up an indigenous Air Traffic Control. Only after this the subsequent fleet of transport aircraft carrying IPKF landed. His matchless skill made him an automatic choice on 9 Feb 90 to be the first pilot to carry out circuits and landings by night on the high altitude Leh airfield on an emergency flare path only. Amongst the numerous firsts to his credit, is also the distinction of being the Captain of the first AN-32 to land in Male airfield in Operation Cactus.

He was posted as Flight Commander at PTS at a time when the unit was bedeviled by unfortunate and avoidable flying incidents, he rose manfully to the onerous task of reorienting, motivating and reco-ordinating the aircrew to the challenging tasks ahead. By personal example, constant and persisted hard work, he resurrected the unit almostsphinx like from ashes and trained a total of 14 new, raw and non-ops pilots on type to be fully qualified on all roles operational and routine within an astonishingly short period of only eight months. Under his meticulous supervision, careful planning and smooth execution the aircrew of the unit achieved maturity and confidence.

As recognition of his stupendous personal flying record, unparalleled achievements and ability to lead and supervise by example in a period of crisis, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Mandhir Singh.