Air Marshal Anil Kumar Trikha AVSM VSM (8436) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 18 Apr 1964. He has 3238h of flying to his credit. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor arid Fighter Combat Leader (FCL). He is an alumnus of Defence Service Staff College. During his 38 years of career in the IAF, he has held a number of challenging command, staff and instructional appointments, which include CO of a fighter Squadron, flying instructor in a friendly foreign country, Chief Operations Officer of a Jaguar base and Comdt of College of Air Warfare as well as National Defence Academy. Presently, Air Mshl Trikha is AOC-in-C Southern Air Command since 01 Jan 03. While serving as Ops 1A at HQ WAC, Air Mshl Trikha revised the Op Plans of WAC based on threat perception and latest tactical concepts. This involved intensive planning as regard to deployment of forces, updating of strike plans and co-ordination with other branches to ensure prompt and appropriate logistic support. He had also participated in the 1965 and 1971 operations as a very young pilot, for which he was mentioned in despatches in 1972. He was specially selected to undergo a specialist operationally oriented course abroad. Thereafter, he served on the operational staff at Air Headquarters and in the Military Wing of the Cabinet Secretariat. For his distinguished service, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 1992 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1995.

As Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of an operational base, Air Mshl Trikha used his vast experience in the field and on staff to train the personnel of his station, demanding all round excellence. He associated himself closely with efforts and trials to upgrade the air defence environment of the Base. In Mar 95, he was appointed Air Advisor in the High Commission of India, London and later Commandant of College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad. During his tenure as AD Commander in Southwestern Air Command, Gandhinagar, he was instrumental in redrafting the existing Op instructions based on the current requirement of deployment and Air Defence philosophy. As Commandant, National Defence Academy in 2001-02, he rejuvenated the training syllabi based on current Military scenario. He revolutionised the IT scene at NDA by introducing the LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network). The entire Academy were connected on LAN/WAN, which never existed before. With his personal initiative he ensured the construction of a double perimeter wall around the 9000 acres to enhance security of the Academy.

As AOC-in-C, Southern Air Command he has brought about all round improvements in the field of Operations, Maintenance, Administration and welfare of the personnel. Under his leadership and guidance SAC is ever willing to shoulder heavy responsibilities and additional tasks.

Air Mshl AK Trikha has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Brijendra Mohan Bali AVSM VM (8438) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 18 Apr 64. He has over 4200 hours of accident free flying to his credit on different fighter aircraft variants Inclusive of over 600 hours on the MiG-25R. He is a qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. He has flown several operational missions during the Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971 and commanded the Air Force element at Jaffna during the IPKF operations in 1990. In addition, during his distinguished service of over 38 years, he had held several challenging field, staff and instructional appointments, which include Instructor with Iraqi Air Force, D Plans, ACAS (Insp), IG and SASO HQ CAC, IAF. Presently, he is AOC-in-C, CAC since 01 Feb 03.

During 1987-88, Air Mshl Bali personally led several photo-reconnaissance and ELINT missions deep into operational areas with total disregard of the inherent risks, providing significant results and valuable information for national security. He was awarded VM (G) for his determination and courage. As Director of Plans at Air HQs, he was personally involved in the procurement of important aircraft and radar equipment. As Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Pathankot on 28 Aug 95, he progressively optimised maintenance and operational performance on the base to high levels with significant results. The base recorded an average increase of twenty percent in flying effort with corresponding improvements in the operational status of the fighter squadrons. During his tenure, the station had been amongst the best-administrated wings of Western Air Command and was able to absorb additional strike squadrons and air defence elements comprising 600 officers and men during exercise Trishul. As the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, which is geographically the largest operational command of the IAF, Air Mshl Bali has relentlessly pursued achievement of high levels of operational capability. With his inherent ability of visualizing task requirements towards attainment of future goals, timely analysis and planning towards critical requirements, he has ensured the highest operational capability of Mirage and Jaguar fleets. The smooth induction of IL-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft in Central Air Command coupled with relevant training of modern generation fighter aircraft has been a major achievement during his tenure. During his tenure as IG, the accident rate in the IAF was amongst the lowest recorded for the several years. The Air Mshl through his efforts has given the requisite thrust to computerisation and networking. He has taken deep Interest in the welfare and growth of the personnel.

Air Marshal Bali has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Bijoy Krishna Pandey AVSM VM (8990) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot on 25 Dec 64. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. During his distinguished service of over 38 years, he had held several challenging field, staff and instructional appointments, which include Director DICOST and Director Joint (Ops) Planning at Air HQ and Deputy Commandant NDA. He has also served as the Air Attaché, Embassy of India at Kabul during the three most turbulent years in the recent history of war ravaged Afghanistan. Presently, he is the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, IAF since 14 Feb 03.

AirMshlPandeyhasrendereddistinguished service in several important appointments. He has successfully commanded Air Force Station, Agra, one of the largest operational bases in the IAF, which sustains high intensityflying operations throughout the year. During his tenure as Deputy Commandant NDA, the Academy celebrated its Golden Jubilee, an infinitely complex exercise during which the NDA hosted the Vice President of India as the Chief Guest, a large number of dignitaries and thousands of alumni of NDA. As Operations Manager in Aviation Research Centre (ARC), he initiated many reforms/measures, which had a positive impact on the work ethos of the Air Wing. The fleet modernisation and other futuristic projects were handled by him very systematically and efficiently which have ensured smooth implementation of various projects of importance to national security. Air Mshl Pandey was awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) in 1971 for displaying superb professional skill and courage in saving valuable lives and an aircraft. He was awarded AVSM in 2001 for distinguished service of an exceptional order.

As AOC-in-C, Training Command he has implemented several measures directed at qualitative changes, having positive impact on the training philosophy and professional standards in the Air Force. He was also responsible for the conduct of the prestigious International Air Show 2003 at Bangalore as also, a number of other major exercises to promote awareness of the IAF amongst the youth in South India.

Air Mshl BK Pandey has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Raghu Rajan (8997) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot on 25 Dec 64. He has 3091h of accident free flying to his credit. He is an alumnus of Defence Service Staff College and National Defence College. He is a fighter combat leader and also a test pilot. During his distinguished service of over 38 years, he has held several challenging field, staff and instructional appointments, which include Chief Operations Officer at AF Station Srinagar, Commandant TACDE and SAASO at HQ MC. Presently, he is the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air Headquarters since 05 Jun 02.

As Chief Operations Officer, AF Station Srinagar during 89-91, when militancy gained ascendancy resulting in deterioration in the internal security scenario, he effectively integrated training of AD systems, Interceptor aircrafts, Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs), Radars and Mobile Observation Flights (MOFs) to maintain very high operational state. He also arranged integrated training for interdiction and Offensive Air Support roles for Airborne FAC and Army elements. Under his leadership, AF Station Srinagar was adjudged the best in operations in WAC in 1990. As Comdt, TACDE, he carried out a review of Op and annual training syllabi of all fighters units of IAF and also evolved tactics of strike aircraft for beyond visual range (BVR) engagements. It was during this time that the first ever night firepower demonstration was conducted at Sarmat Range involving fighters, tpts and heptrs. He commanded AF Station Jodhpur, which is one of the largest fighter airbases. During his tenure one of the fighter Sqns was adjudged the best fighter Sqn in IAF and two other Sqns based there were judged first and second in the SWAC inter Squadron Gunnery meet. The Mi-8 Sqn, Chetak were also adjudged the best helicopter Sqns. He encouraged local modification of Chetak, Mi-8, MiG23 and SAM units, thereby saving money and manhours. As Head of Air Wing training team at DSSC, he enhanced the quality of syllabi, introduced lectures and exercises on strategy and tactics and Capsules on Leadership and Logistics Management.

As Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, he is responsible for the planning, processing and progressing of the procurement of weapon systems and allied items for Air Force besides acting as a nodal authority for the Indian Air Force for the interface between the IAF, Ministry and Civil agencies in order to expedite the acquisitions. Under his able guidance, a concerted effort was made towards identification of infrastructural improvement in the Air Force and their staggered execution planned. Similarly, special emphasis has been given to planning and coordinating the medium and long-term requirement of Radar & Navigation Aids to improve the operational efficiency.

Air Marshal Raghu Rajan has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Narayan Menon, UYSM, AVSM, (9005) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned In the Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot on 25 Dec 64. He has 3147 h of accident free flying to his credit. He is a qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader. He has commanded a fighter squadron and two operational bases and a Flying Training Establishment. He is an alumnus of College of Defence Management and National Defence College. During his distinguished service of over 38 years, he had held several challenging field, staff and instructional appointments, which include Head of OB Faculty at CDM, AOC J&K and ACAS (Ops). Presently, he is Air Officer in-charge Personnel (AOP) at Air Headquarters since 01 Feb 02.

As Director Operations (Air Defence), he displayed considerable foresight and a deep sense of involvement in the management and optimisation of resources for the defence of our skies. For his distinguished service of exceptional order, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1998.

As AOC J & K during Kargil Operations, he was personally involved in planning and execution of all joint missions with the Army. As a result, the Air Force successfully dislodged the enemy and facilitated early cessation of hostilities. For his leadership, initiation, strategic planning and tactical innovation he was awarded Uttam Yudh Seva Medal in 1999.

As Asst Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) at Air Headquarter, he was responsible for formulation of war plans and conduct of major exercises. When mobilisation was ordered after an attack on the Parliament on 13 Dec 01, he ensured that squadrons were deployed at Op locations on 14 Dec 01 itself. Despite long deployment of the personnel, he ensured that they remained at the highest level of preparedness, ready to launch an attack at shortest possible notice.

As Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel, Air Mshl Menon has been responsible for all aspects of personnel planning, induction, training, recognition and rewards to all the personnel in the IAF. During his tenure a number of policies and innovative measures, which will go a long way to enhance the motivation and morale of the IAF personnel have been initiated. These include revival of SNCOs Commission to provide better career prospects to the serving airmen, improvement in the promotion ratios of the officers in the ground duty branches and more transparency in the decision making process. He and his team have been able to set IAF Training Institute recognised by the AICTE as also civil aviation recognition for military aviation qualifications.

Air Mshl N Menon has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Air Marshal Prakashchandra Khandubhai Desai AVSM VSM (10078) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in Indian Air Force on 03 Jan 66. During his career laced with academic brilliance at various civil and service courses he has achieved number of milestones on professional and administrative fronts.

His leadership qualities, professional acumen, academic & research orientation has helped in achieving excellent results in tasks like indigenisation, life extension and operational modifications. He had held several important assignments like Weapon Test Engineer at Aircraft-and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Dy Air Attaché, Moscow, Chief Engineering Officer Air Force Station Tezpur, and Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Kanpur during his service career bringing out his skills in contract negotiations, civil admin and legal matters besides the technical expertise. During his tenure as ACAS Eng 'A', he managed the technical and logistics of large fleet of Russian fighters, transport ac and helicopters under adverse circumstances of poor product support from OEM, both during peace and during Op Parakram. He was IAF representative in several important delegations to Russia and Ukraine and was instrumental in successfully concluding large number of contracts for critical equipment and spares. He has also been appointed on Scientific Committees at NAL and Indian Society of Non Destructive Testing.

In his present assignment as SMSO HQ MC since 12 Jun 2002, with his vast technical and logistics experience, he has provided new impetus to production, modification, provisioning and indigenisation efforts of various BRDs/EDs. Under his guidance, most of the BRDs have not only managed to complete their assigned task, but also provided excellent support to operational units in AOG clearance, in-situ repairs and rectifications. He has been instrumental in bringing about change in orientation and priority at the Maintenance Command units in favour of supporting operational units. His close association with R & D, HAL, certification and academic institutions has resulted in enormous saving of Foreign Exchange and resolution of number of problems affecting availability of aviation equipment,

Air Mshl PK Desai AVSM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.