Air Marshal Kanwar Iqbal Singh Chhabra, AVSM, was commissioned in the Indian Force in April 1950. During his long service career, he had distinguished himself not only by professional competence but also by outstanding administrative ability. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and also the National Defence College.

His command appointments include the command of a TAC during Indo-Pak conflict in December 1971, where he displayed exceptional skill in planning, supervision leadership. He achieved outstanding results by blunting the massive enemy attacks ChhambJaurian sector and contributed to the destruction of ground forces and elimination of enemy air opposition in the theatre.

In recent years, Air Marshal Chhabra, has held with distinction the important appointments of Senior Officer Administration at Central Air Command and Air Officer Commanding, HQ Maritime Air Operations where he achieved excellence in cooperation with the Navy and with connected civil agencies.

In his present appointment as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command which carries out overhaul and repair of aircraft, aero-engines, and ground equipment and specialist vehicles, Air Marshal through effective and efficient management of manpower and material resources brought about significant improvements in the output. This has directly contributed in improving serviceability and output of operational units.

Air Marshal Kanwar Iqbal Singh Chhabra has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Minoo Jehangir Dotiwalla was commissioned in the Flying Brand of the Indian Air Force in April 1950. During the earlier years of his career he has been deputed for courses such as the Pilot Attack Instructors' Course in the UK, the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. In his subsequent assignments, he had brought the full measure of his knowledge and experience to bear on the performance of duties entrusted to him, thereby enhancing the quality of his output.

Air Marshal Dotiwalla has successfully held a variety of field as well as Staff appointments. He commanded a Wing with distinction and, later, as Director of Air Force Works and Director of Personnel (Officers) at Air HQs, he had displayed a perception of the nuances involved in directing activities of these administrative Directorate. His tenure as Director of Personnel (Officers) coincided with a period when various studies and decisions were required to be taken in relation to the career profiles and promotion prospects of officers of different branches. By virtue of his analytical prowess, foresight and able direction he successfully paved the way for several proposals relating to personnel. He continued to display outstanding qualities of leadership and professional competence in the execution of important projects as Senior Air Staff Officer Training Command, Commandant National Defence Academy and Senior Air Staff Officer Eastern Air Command.

Air Marshal Minoo Jehangir Dotiwalla has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order

Air Marshal Satish Chandra Lal was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Technical Signals Branch, now Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics), in the year 1950.

A competent Technical Officer and a versatile field Engineer, he has excelled particularly in Installation and System Engineering activities. He served with distinction first as Director of Plans Air Defence Ground Environment System and later as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Systems).

In 1981 he was specially selected to join the Radar and Communication Project Organisation, a Systems Engineering Group entrusted with the responsibility of planning, installation and commissioning of reliable and secure tropo, micro-wave and Radar Facilities in the Air Defence Ground Environment System. By displaying a high degree of initiative backed by sound technical knowledge and experience, he was able to complete the task of site survey and system engineering of far flung, remote and inaccessible mountainous areas of our country as per prescribed time schedule. Similarly in the selection, installation and commissioning of High Power Radars and associated peripherals, he effectively organised the installation and maintenance teams to undertake activities in the field.

Air Marshal Satish Chandra Lal has thus rendered distinguished service of exceptional order.

Air Marshal Kapil Dev Chadha, VM, was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1950 and has held important Command and Staff assignments. He commanded with distinction an operational squadron and a Flying Station. His important staff assignments at Air HQ included Director of Operations (Transport and Maritime) and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans).

Air Marshal Chadha, himself a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, has held the prestigious assignments of Chief Instructor at Defence Services Staff College and Senior Directing Staff at National Defence College. To both these appointments be brought a high degree of practical wisdom and expertise based on his vast fund of experience and knowledge.

As Director of Operations (Transport and Maritime), Air Marshal Chadha was responsible for formulation of policy, planning and control of the entire air transport, helicopter and Maritime Operations. He was instrumental in the formulation of plans to achieve optimum utilisation of the transport fleet.

Air Marshal Chadha while holding the appointment of Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans) was responsible for forecasting, planning and formulating Air Staff Requirements for new aircraft and equipment for the Indian Air Force. His contribution in the areas of 'Long Term Financial Plans for the IAF', 'Induction of Medium Transport Aircraft', 'Aircraft for VVIP duties' and 'Control of Air Force Projects' has been particularly noteworthy.

On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, he was posted as Air Officer in-charge Administration at Air Headquarters. This sphere of responsibility covers a broad spectrum like organisation, Ceremonials, Medical Services, Work Services, Administration and financial control of various Air Force Welfare Funds and schemes, law and order, security of Air Force installations and management of Public Funds of the Air Force. In each one of these areas, Air Marshal Chadha has made a mark by his exceptional professional competence and qualities of leadership.

Air Marshal Kapil Dev Chadha has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal (now Air Marshal) Shri Krishna Chandra Gupta, VSM, was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in March, 1949. He has held a wide variety of command and staff assignments during his long meritorious service in the Air Force and distinguished himself not only by professional competence but also by outstanding administrative ability and today, he has the singular distinction of being not only the senior most in his branch but also the most experienced in the field of Administration.

He commanded with distinction an NCC Group and an Air Force Station where he accomplished very high standards of training and enhanced all round efficiency. His important staff appointments include Command Air Traffic Control Officer of Central Air Command, Deputy Director of Personal Services, Director of Organisation at Headquarters and Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration of Eastern Air Command and Western Air Command.

Air Vice Marshal (now Air Marshal) Gupta has the distinction of holding coveted appointments of SOA of two different major operational commands one after other. In both the commands he applied himself with total involvement to the task improving the general administrative standards and welfare activities. With his drive, imagination, leadership and exceptional organisational ability, he was able to achieve very high standards in multifarious spheres within very short tune.

Air Vice Marshal (now Air Marshal) Shri Krishna Chandra Gupta has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.