Air Commodore Prithvi Singh Brar was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in December, 1960. Since then he has held various flying and command appointments.

During his tenure as Air Officer Commanding of a wing in South Western Sector, there have been remarkable all round improvements, not only in the operational capabilities of all fighting elements at the Station, but also in the quality of life enjoyed by base personnel. The Station provided safe and very highly organized operational environment for the squadrons to operate in.

In the training field, with the innovative ideas and improved training programmes, he was able to fully optimize the man-power resources. To overcome the shortage of qualified officers in the newly raised Pechora Squadron of his Station, he organized specialized training of some selected airmen to perform the duties of Guidance Officers of the Combat Flight. This singular experiment of his has not only ensured the operational availability of the combat flights but has also become an example to other Pechora Squadrons. Air Cmde Brar has involved himself in every activity of the Station. His innovative ideas have resulted in remarkable economy of manpower utilization. Welfare measures introduced in educational, cultural and other fields have brought about a motivational change in the Station.

Air Commodore Prithvi Singh Brar AVSM VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Om Prakash Suri was commissioned in the Medical Branch of Indian Air Force. A graduate of both Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, he has also completed all the courses in Aviation Medicine. He holds a Post­Graduate degree in Hospital Administration from Indian Institute of Medical Sciences as well.

Since 1954, he has worked in different capacities both in Air Force and Army with singular distinction. Twice he held staff appointments at Air Headquarters which capacity he carried out planning and liaisoning of Hospital Services in entire Air Force. His organisational skill and foresight in planning was largely responsible in the growth of commendable hospital services. During his stint with Army as Asstt Director of Medical Services with one of the Infantry Divisions and Mountain Divisions, he carried out the health care facilities for the Divisions both during peace and operational situations with exceptional zeal and dedication. He is presently employed as Principal Medical Officer at HQ Training Command. His present tenure is marked by close supervision of Health Care System in respect of all personnel and families and an all­round improvement quality of patient care with increased facilities for investigation and treatment, excellent rapport with civil medical agencies helped immensely in initiating early and timely preventive action for control of communicable diseases. His innovative ideas and pragmatic approach resulted in streamlining medical evacuation procedures particularly those affecting cadets. The expertise he gained in Hospital Administration found full expression in control and supervision of three major hospitals under his command. His expert guidance and advice on matters relating to Aviation Medicine is well sought after resulting in qualitative and quantitative improvement in training at Flying Stations in respect of Aviation Medicine and Flight Safety.

Air Marshal Om Prakash Suri has, thus, rendered distinguished service of exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Keshava Chander Sharma was commissioned in the Technical Branch of Indian Air Force on 4 April 1955. An Honours Graduate in Mechanical Engineering, he passed creditably from the Air Force Technical College and has since held important field and staff appointments both command and Air Headquarters.

He has also undergone the post graduate course in Industrial Engineer and Operational Research at Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and staff course at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

In 1972, he was chosen to be on the Directing Staff in the College of Defence Management as Head of Operational Research Department. As Directing Staff, he guided a number of project studies and was acclaimed as an excellent instructor.

In 1980, he took over as Command Engineering Officer at one of operational commands and after a successful tenure of two years, was posted as Deputy Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Maintenance Command on promotion. In both these appointments, he directed and controlled the technical activities effectively and exhibited his managerial capability and expertise. In 1984, he was posted to Air HQ as Director Maintenance Plans and Inspections. Backed by his knowledge in the field of quantitative management, a number of plans regarding storage and overhaul of aircraft, setting up of Technical Type Training School etc., were finalised.

On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal in 1986, he took over as Director of Engineering and subsequently moved into the post of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff.

He continues to hold the appointment of Assistant Chief of Air Staff and in this assignment, he has displayed a high degree of leadership and astute analytical ability and managerial competence. His contribution in improving the effectiveness of the Soviet fleet and planning and organising the setting up of the overhaul facilities has significantly improved the operational preparedness of the Russian fleet.

Air Vice Marshal Keshava Chander Sharma has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Pratap Rao was commissioned in the Air Force on 2 August 1956. Throughout his career spanning over 32 years, he has held number of important field, staff and instructional appointments which include command of an NCC Air Sqn, Air Force Examiner at Air Crew Examining Board, command of a Fighter Squadron, Deputy Director Air Staff Inspection at Air HQrs Military, Naval & Air Attaché at Bangkok and command of two operational air bases. He has also held the post of Planning Officer (Air) in the Department Defence Production in Ministry of Defence. He has flown over 2100 hrs instructional/examining duties on 10 different types of aircraft. He has also participated in 1965 Indo-Pak Conflict. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College.

In July 1977, he was specially selected as Deputy Director Air Staff Inspection at Air Headquarters. During this tenure, he formulated inspection guidelines that, even today, form the basis of inspection procedures and standards at Air For operational wings and squadrons.

In February 1986, Air Vice Marshal Rao was appointed as Air Officer Commanding of a fighter air base. Under his leadership, the Maintenance Wing the station was made more efficient and flying effort of the locally based Fighter Squadrons almost doubled as a result of improved aircraft serviceability. The base, thus, attained a very high standard of operational preparedness.

Air Vice Marshal Pratap Rao, VM has thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Hamid Muhammad Shahul was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 24 December 1957. In his long career, the Air Officer has held with credit important assignments both at the command and staff levels. He has to his credit a total of 6,100 hrs of flying. He was commended by the Chief of Air Staff for professional zeal and competence in August, 1966. He was specially select to evaluate the Nimrod and the IL 38 maritime aircraft in 1973-74. He has successfully completed National Defence College Course.

During 1980-83 as Station Commander, Air Force Station, Begumpet, he brought about several improvements which resulted in the Station having a record of safe air operations. In March 1985, the Air Officer took over command of Force Station, Tambaram. His significant achievements were introduction semester system for conversion trainees, maintenance of ab­initio pass percentage at around 90% and preparation of fresh syllabi for new aircraft. In the area of administration, his personal involvement resulted in contentment and high morale. He organised the Air Force Sports Festival at Tambaram in 1986 so well that it was highly appreciated by the then Chief of Air Staff.

Air Commodore Hamid Muhammad Shahul, VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Manmohan Waman Desai was commissioned in the Accounts Branch in June 1958. During his career spanning over thirty years, he held with distinction varied appointments within the branch and outside. He successfully completed the Long Defence Management Course and the National Defence College Course.

On promotion to the rank of Air Commodore in May 1985, he took over as Joint Director of Accounts at Air Headquarters. Immediately on taking over, he applied himself wholeheartedly to the task of improving the accounting services provided to serving and retired Air Force personnel. By his pragmatic and resultgeared approach, backed by excellent professional competence, he undertook and accomplished the task of review and streamlining of the existing accounting procedures contained in various Air Force orders and policy directives, with a view to revamp the way of working and wipe out avoidable irritants. With his originality of approach and eye on professionalism and efficiency, he initiated plans for computerisation of various accounting areas which are now coming to fruition.

He was the pivotal force behind clearance of large outstanding audit objections and huge airlift recoveries.

Air Commodore Manmohan Waman Desai, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Harjit Singh Ghuman was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 29 May 1959. In recognition of his professionalism, at various stages of his career, he has been commended by Air Officer Commanding­in­Chief and Chief of Air Staff and was also awarded Vayu Sena Medal.

After having ably commanded a prestigious operational transport squadron, he was selected and appointed as Air Attaché in Iran where he performed most competently and professionally. On his return in February 1980, he took over as Air Officer Commanding of one of the largest combat wings. The Wing was passing through a very critical phase when Air Cmde Ghuman assumed its stewardship. The Packets were in the process of being phased out and in their place the most modern transport aircraft, the Gajraj and Sutluj, being inducted. The Wing had the twin responsibility of not only creating the necessary infrastructure for full operations of the new aircraft in a very short time but also keeping the old aircraft flying and meeting the operational commitments. Through his personal supervision, meticulous advance planning and timely decisions, the Air Force was able to quickly assimilate the new aircraft and become ready to take on some of the most important airlift operations which the Air Force was called upon to execute.

In 1987, the flying task of the Wing increased manifold due to Sri Lank operations. Under the leadership of Air Commodore Ghuman, immediate step were taken to gear up servicing and maintenance facilities to keep up the temp of airlift operations.

For providing, healthy and adventurous recreation, he was instrumental starting the first Sky Diving Team in the country. The team, named Akash Ganga has already won high praise for the Air Force on each of its displays.

Air Commodore Harjit Singh Ghuman, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Dalip Singh Dahiya was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 28 May 1960. As a young pilot, he saw active service in the 1965 Conflict with Pakistan. He qualified as a flying instructor in January 1967 and was sent on deputation to Government of Iraq for two years. He graduated from Defence Services Staff College in December 1973. He commanded Jet Bomber Conversion Unit from February 1976 to July 1977. He was Directing Staff at Defence Services, Staff College for almost 3 ½ years. He has also worked as Joint Planning Staff in the Cabinet Secretariat for three years.

As Officer Commanding Car Nicobar, he was instrumental in converting this staging post to a full fledged flying station capable of day and night operations. During this period, he planned three amphibious exercises in the A & N Islands which have helped in evolving new tactics for such warfare. As a result of his untiring efforts, Car Nicobar can now offer full protection to these far flung territories.

Air Cmde Dahiya took over as Air Officer Commanding of a transport Wing in January 1987. In a short span of 1½ years, he has transformed this station into a fine fighting outfit. Sutluj aircraft based at this Wing has surpassed all previous air maintenance efforts. The Squadron based at the Wing has won the “Best Transport Sqn Trophy" for two consecutive years. The Wing also won the “Best Administered Wing Trophy" for the command for 1987-88. During his tenure, the operational status of aircrew has shown considerable improvement and the Wing has been readied to undertake all tasks at short notice.

Air Commodore Dalip Singh Dahiya has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Vinod Kumar Verma was commissioned in the Air Force in May 1962. An outstanding fighter pilot, he was specially selected to lead the Air Force team undergoing the Advanced Fighter Weapons Course in the USA. His exemplary performance made him a natural choice to be one of the founder members of Tactical Air Combat Development Establishment. During Indo-Pak War in 1965, he brought back a badly crippled aircraft with total disregard to personal safety. For this, he was awarded 'Vayu Sena Medal'.

On assuming command of a fighter squadron, it was his efforts which resulted in the Squadron getting the best Operational Squadron award for two years in succession. After a deputation in Iraq, he took over command of Tactical Air Combat Development Establishment. It was here that he excelled in developing and disseminating fighter tactics countering state of the art air/ground threat scenarios. These tactics are currently in vogue in our fighter squadrons.

During his present appointment in the key Directorate of Operations (Offensive), initially as the Joint Director and currently as the Director, he has been actively associated with all aspects of the formulation and execution of Op Plans and other allied matters. He has been instrumental in conceiving, planning and coordinating major Air Force exercise that was conducted flawlessly for the very first time in the country, covering all gamut of air operations.

Air Commodore Vinod Kumar Verma, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Commodore Philip Rajkumar was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in November 1962. During his career, span of 26 years, he has held various appointments both in the field and at higher formations. These include command of a fighter squadron and fighter wing as also various tenures as a Test Pilot. During the Indo-Pak War inl965, he was awarded Mention­in­Despatches and later in 1976 he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for his contribution to Flight Testing.

Trained as Test Pilot in France, he was appointed as OC, Test Pilots' School and later as Chief Test Pilot at Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). During his tenure as OC Test Pilots School, he was assigned the responsibility of running two ad hoc courses for training Flight Test Instrumentation Engineers and Flight Test Engineers at ASTE. On taking over as the Chief Test Pilot, he continued to steer the ad hoc courses to successful completion.

In his capacity as Chief Test Pilot at ASTE, he has effectively coordinated the activities AVSM 1989-90 of the Flight Test Squadron and the Maintenance Wing of ASTE to achieve an unprecedented increase in the trial work load, thus, providing a much needed boost to various indigenous development programmes. It was at his behest that Armament Research and Development Establishment developed 250 kg. counter weight bomb which will result in significant cost savings during annual squadron armament training. He also guided and successfully steered large number of weapons and systems integration programmes thereby enhancing the operational capability of front line aircraft of the IAF. He has also bee instrumental in a major avionics update programme of a front line fighter aircraft reaching its final operational standard.

Air Commodore Philip Rajkumar, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.