Air Vice Marshal Shiva Krishna Verma was commissioned in the Technical Branch of the Indian Air Force on 7 September 1953. He had held a number of, important appointments in the Air Force. He has been Chief Engineering Officer of a large Air Force Base; Commandant, Air Force Technical College; Director of Armament and Safety Equipment at Air Headquarters and Senior Maintenance Staff Officer Western Air Command.

The Officer has worked as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Engineering) for more than a year. He has performed these duties with total dedication and exercised good managerial capabilities to improve the maintenance of the Aircraft fleet. During the last one year, the aircraft fleet has shown a continuous and sustained rise in serviceability. This was only possible by the officer's alert directions on progression of demands and maintenance of equipment. He also kept control on new induction of aircraft and equipment and ensured their smooth operation inspite of the variety and multiplicity of aircraft inducted. The Officer exercised special initiative in planning and holding regular meetings with HAL and other production agencies to ensure that aircraft and maintenance spares were delivered to the Air Force in time. This resulted in definite improvement in the input of equipment from production agencies, thus placing the maintenance on a more sound footing.

Air Vice Marshal Shiva Krishna Verma has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Debabrata Choudhury was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 2 June 1955. During his long career in the Air Force, he has held a variety of appointments with distinction. These include appointment of Air Officer Commanding of a big Equipment Depot. Since 01 May 1986 he is holding the appointment of Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration of a major operational command.

As Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration Western Air Command for over a year, AVM * Rank erronusly mentioned in the Gazette as Air Marshal Choudhury has contributed significantly to the enhancement of quality of life of personnel at WAC by executing a number of work­services and welfare measures. His contribution to the operational preparedness has been equally significant. Through remarkable understanding of operational needs, coupled with high administrative acumen, Air Vice Marshal Choudhury has initiated a large number of measures to provide the necessary infrastructure for enhanced level of operational preparedness.

During recent alert and for a number of major exercises Air Vice Marshal Choudhury personally made sure that administrative support for all operational requirements was provided in time. It is because of his untiring efforts, detailed planning and quick reactions that the Command was able to absorb large scale induction of manpower at extremely short notice, as per operational dictates. The smooth and timely induction greatly enhanced the operational potential.

Air Vice Marshal Debabrata Choudhury has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Pondicherry Jayarao Jayakumar was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force on 14 January 1956. He has held with distinction various field, staff and command appointments.

Air Vice Marshal Jayakumar was directly involved in the formulation of the new promotion policy and the new appraisal system during his tenure as JDPO at Air Headquarters. These have become the basic policy documents for Personnel Management of the Indian Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Jayakumar is posted at Air Headquarters, as Director Joint Operation (Planning) since 1 September 1986. In this assignment, he has had to interact closely, and co­ordinate several operational matters with the other two Service Headquarters, at the highest, level. His total understanding and knowledge of Air operations, higher level of concept ional thinking, coupled with meticulous attention to detail, has not only resulted in improving the operational effectiveness of joint service operations, but he has enhanced the image of the service he represents.

In June 1987 he was involved in the planning and monitoring of mercy mission in Jaffna Peninsula. Working continuously, he was always available to render the right advice and take decisions. Later, during the operation in Sri Lanka, he set up and controlled the Operations Cell at Air Headquarters. With complete disregard for personal comfort, he stayed at his post, night and day. It was due to his selfless devotion to duty, presence of mind and indepth knowledge of all the issues involved, that during both these operations he could ensure safe, expeditious and totally successful completion of all tasks given to the Indian Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal Pondicherry Jayarao Jayakumar has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Manjunath Sadanand, an alumnus of prestigious National Defence Academy, was commissioned in the year 1955 in the Flying Branch and has held various important assignments. His outstanding performance during “Operations Vijay" (Goa Operation) was rewarded with CAS Commendation for dedication and a very high level of professionalism. Subsequently, he became a qualified Flying Instructor and distinguished himself as qualified Flying Instructor.

Having gone through a gamut of highly skilled and specialist appointments, he has been now commanding Air Force Station, Bidar since 29 March 1986, one of the most challenging and prestigious appointments he has held so far. During this period, the Station has gone from strength to strength and become one of the premier flying training establishments our Air Force. His single minded devotion to duty, total involvement, personal example and dedicated effort are greatly responsible for the allround achievements of the Air Force Station Bidar.

Air Commodore Manjunath Sadanand has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Keith David Kingsley Lewis was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in April 1956. He has over 4500 hours of flying to his credit and had taken active part in the 1965 and 1971 operations as a fighter pilot. During his effective flying career, he has been a flying instructor, Senior Flight Commander in fighter squadrons, commanded the legendary Tiger Squadron with distinction and was the first Group Captain Chief Operations Officer of a forward base. Subsequently, he graduated from the National Defence College.

As Air Officer Commanding of one of the most potent fighter bases in the Air Force, he applied himself to enhance its operational potential. During the period of “Operation Alert" in 1987 all fighter deployments in/out and operational tasks were undertaken with vigour and enthusiasm. The entire station willingly undertook long periods of continual watch necessary to guard against a pre­emptive enemy attack on the airfield, which would have been a prime target had war broken out. Additionally, he ensured a guaranteed ability to retaliate quickly and with precision using the offensive power of the deep penetration strike forces placed under his command. Also during this period some of the hardest flying training ever conducted was carried out by strike, air defence and missile squadrons in accurately simulated war scenarios. His own personal conduct during this period was exemplary and he strove to his utmost to ensure an instant state of operational readiness.

Air Commodore Keith David Kingsley Lewis VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Venkataraman Shankar was commissioned in August, 1956. He has held several important field appointments at major transport flying stations. He is a graduate of National Defence College and was awarded Vayu Sena Medal for his operational capabilities while commanding a Transport Squadron. He has to his credit 7800 hours of accident and incident free flying experience.

Being presently Director of Operations (T&M) at Air Headquarters, by meticulous planning of resource and pragmatic management, he has ensured the most economic and optimum utilisation of the limited resources and maintained a high operational state of the transport fleet. By his dedicated and pragmatic approach, backed by a sound professional knowledge, understanding and drive, he brought about a near total error free success into the operation “Poomalai" and subsequent AVSM 1988 deployment and maintenance of Indian Peace Keeping Forces at Sri Lanka. This, he achieved and maintains, inspite of multiplicity of aircraft, roles and demands.

Air Commodore Venkatararaan Shankar, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Arun Kumar Roy, after successful completion of Engineering studies was commissioned in the IAF in 1956. During the last 31 years the Air Officer has held various important field and staff appointments including Instructor at Air Force Technical College, Commanding Officer Guided Weapon Squadron, Joint Director Signals Air, Station Commander Tropo Staion and Senior Maintenance Staff Offcer of a newly raised operational Command.

The Air Officer is in command of No. 7 BRD since Dec 85. This depot is responsible for overhaul of guided weapons and Air Defence Radar Systems. During his tenure he has brought in a new sense of motivation among technical officers who are ever ready to provide all possible assistance to operational units. The depot has achieved 100% production of the task 86-87. During exercise 'LIVE WIRE' the leadership and inspiration exhibited by the Air Officer, won appreciation from AOC-in-C WAC for the depot. Once again during alert from 23 Jan 87, till completion of Exercise Brass-Tack, 7 BRD under the able command of this Air Officer, rose to the occasion to provide valuable round­the­clock assistance to undertake additional load inspite of the fact that 20 technical officers from the depot and lodger units were attached to augment manpower of operational commands. All along, the Air Officer with his dedication, initiative, example and dynamism contributed significantly to enhance the operational preparedness of IAF.

Air Commodore Arun Kumar Roy has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Pooran Dev Adlakha was commissioned in the Accounts Branch in November 1956. An MBA from Delhi University, during his 31 years of service, he has held a variety of important assignments, within the branch and outside.

After graduating from the National Defence College, he took over the command of Air Force Central Accounts Office in November 1984. He applied himself to his duties great sense of responsibility and dedication and with skillful management brought remarkable improvements in the accounting services provided to both serving and retired Air Force personnel.

With his originality of approach, he launched a massive programme of computerisation of all accounts. The task is expected to be completed two years ahead of targeted date and ultimately reduce pressure on manpower. This has also enabled him to issue pre­calculated arrears of pay statements for all airmen in respect of Fourth Pay Commission, which reached every unit well in time and ensured full payment to every airman. With commendable precision and thoroughness, he has also completed the second phase, through computer, where 1.3 lakhs pay fixation statements, for audit as well as issue to all airmen, have been printed.

With his downright keenness to get down to the brasstacks, he launched two exercises - “Exercise Credibility" for reducing the debit balances and “Exercise Samtushti" for clearance of outstanding non­effective accounts. In both these areas, he achieved near total success.

The reconciliation of Provident Fund Accounts of all Air Force personnel, a stupendous and mind boggling exercise, was faced by him head­on and accomplished, bringing credit to the organisation. This achievement bears an eloquent testimony to his result oriented, and not procedure­oriented approach.

Air Commodore Pooran Dev Adlakha, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Shiv Nath Rathour was commissioned in December, 1958. In his span of 29 years, he has held with distinction varied appointments, both in the field and at higher formations. He is a highly qualified navigator and has maintained a high professional standard throughout.

Air Commodore Rathour has been the Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, New Delhi since 01 July 1985. The Station is established to provide administrative service to Indian Air Force personnel posted to Air Headquarters and scores of other units spread over Delhi. Besides, there is a heavy commitment for providing administrative service to personnel arriving on temporary duty at Air Headquarters. Station has also to cater for the highly sensitive and important task of providing helipad facilities for heli-lifts of VVIPs. The wide ranging and demanding task involves providing inputs for very important ceremonial functions like Republic Day Parade, Independence Day Celebrations, Guard of Honour to foreign dignitaries, etc. All the aforementioned duties involve tremendous administrative responsibility and challenge.

Air Commodore Rathour by his exceptional level of dedication, initiative and resourcefulness in performance of duties, provided a high level of motivation to his staff for putting in sustained and hard work to meet the challenge posed and has been able to bring about improvements in the output of Air Force Station, New Delhi, during his command.

Air Commodore Shiv Nath Rathour, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Viney Kapila was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1958 has flown over 3,300 hours on modern jet fighter aircraft and participated in the 1961 Goa Operations and the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak conflicts. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry in the 1965 war.

As a Flight Commander of a frontline squadron, he was responsible for the smooth and rapid change over to MiG­21s. He carried out successful trials for induction of MiG 21 aircraft into the Kashmir Valley and thereafter laid down operating procedures which are still applicable. Because of his perseverance, profound analytical approach and expertise in tactical doctrines, he was responsible in large measure for optimising the night employment techniques and tactics on the MiG­21 and S­22 aircraft.

In his present appointment as Air I of an Operational Command, the officer has through penetrating foresight, ingenuity and application of sound tactical precepts, introduced and formulated advanced training schedules, enhancing the operational potential of the fighting units. With his positive and dynamic approach, he designed realistic operational details for three major exercises, namely, Eagle-Ranvijay, Brass Tacks and Live Wire, which employed massive strike forces, hitherto unheard of in earlier exercises.

Air Commodore Viney Kapila, VrC has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Mohan Dharamdas Lalvani was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in February, 1959 and over the years has distinguished himself in all important appointments held by him, which were many and varied.

He was among the first pilots to be assigned to the Mi­4 helicopters. For his outstanding performance in the hazardous terrains of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in January, 1965.

In 1970, Air Commodore Lalvani was cross streamed to the Air Defence System. He evolved syllabi and application systems which laid a solid foundation for training. Under his command, a star sapphire unit, which prior to his stewardship carried the label of 'unfit for war', its status raised from the dubious distinction to an above average capability in just six months. As commander of an operational station in the Western Sector, his base was adjudged 'Best in Operations' and 'Best in Maintenance'.

Air Commodore Lalvani, because of his instructional crafts, was deputed as a Directing Staff at the Institute of Defence Management. Here, he so excelled himself that he became a regular guest lecturer to organisations like Administrative Staff College of India, NITIE and even the Iraq Defence College at Baghdad.

In staff work again, Air Commodore Lalvani displayed outstanding perception and analytical skills. He made a very significant contribution in the drafting of the joint document relating to transfer of AOP assets to the Army. As Air II of Eastern Air Command, he displayed discernment, ingenuity and an innovativeness which not only enabled optimum utilisation of resources but a qualitative improvement in operational employment.

Air Commodore Mohan Dharamdas Lalvani, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Naresh Kumar was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 14 January 1956. He has held various appointments including command of two helicopter units and staff appointments at Command Headquarters. He graduated from National Defence College in 1986.

While commanding one of the helicopter units he was assigned the task of flood relief in North Bengal and in recognition of his services, act of courage, initiative and devotion to duty, he was awarded 'Vayu Sena Medal'.

Presently he is posted as Air Officer Commanding of a forward Air Base located at high altitude. His base is responsible to provide infrastructure for successful operation of helicopters and large scale operation of transport aircraft. Because of skirmishes at Siachen Glacier, he has been burdened with additional responsibilities of ensuring availability of supplies and casualty evacuation. Himself a diligent and dedicated officer, Air Vice Marshal Naresh Kumar has been able to motivate the personnel under his command to work with zeal, enthusiasm and single mindedness of purpose. Because of his inspiring leadership, the personnel under his command have been able to achieve their task despite heavy constraints of adverse weather conditions, high altitude and limited flying resources.

Air Vice Marshal Naresh Kumar, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order