Wing Commander (now Gp Capt) Tilak was posted to an important Air Force Establishment after successfully completing the Masters Degree in Technology from Princeton University, USA. Realising quite early in the career that in a modern Air Force the flying ability must be backed by sound technical knowledge, he completed B. Tech course successfully. He was offered a scholarship by the Princeton University USA for the Master's Degree Course in technology. This two years Master's degree course he completed in 15 months by virtue of his tenacity of purpose and unwavering determination.

Wing Commander Yubraj Singh Pal (3703) Accounts was commissioned on 4th November 1949 and since then has held several important appointments.

He was posted to Air Force Central Accounts Office in September, 1971. As Officer in-charge Officers' Pay Section he has organized the Section and streamlined its functions so well that audit objections were brought to nil by June, 1974. Through his efforts, he has made it possible for officers/ civilians retiring from service to draw their fund balance immediately after retirement from DSOP Fund and General Provident Fund accounts. He has done extensive research into the causes of delay in the finalization of non-effective accounts and has introduced certain bold and effective measure to counter them.

In the field of computerization, he has carried out detailed system studies which helped in reducing the mistakes. At the time of take over of more than a lakh provident fund accounts he was responsible for compiling a correct membership list and reconciling the subscription rate with the ledger cells.

He has been responsible for the fast, accurate and efficient implementation of the new Pay Coder. He took on himself all the burdens of refixation of pay of officer and calculation of arrears thereby relieving the units of a heavy load of work. This involved the fixation of pay of about 8500 effective and 500 non-effective accounts, reassessment of about 1,40,000 rent bills and recalculation of income tax for every officer. This work was finalized under his direction in a record time and every officer was paid his arrears by February, 1975.

In all assignments, he has worked with devotion and exceptional efficiency.

Wing Commander Shalgram Parhee was commissioned in the Technical Branch of the IAF in August 1951. By his exceptional intelligence and application, he proved an asset in various appointments held by him.

As Senior Technical Officer in of the Radar Stations, he was instrumental in arranging and compiling detailed maintenance and training instructions on the main Radar and other ancillary equipment. He was an instructor in the Fighter Controllers Course where he with his deep understanding of the equipment, he was able to provide the maximum operational training for the pilots. At an operational Command, by careful planning and innate forethought, he was able to provide communication facilities to the far flung units under the Command inspite of limited resources in equipment and manning.

In Signals Base Repair Depot, he was entrusted with responsibility of organizing repair and overhaul of Signals and Navigation Aids and he discharged this responsibility with thoroughness and professional skill. He successfully carried out the evaluation of one of the indigenous developed light portable Radars in inclement weather conditions and at great heights. As in-charge of design and development electronic warfare equipment at a Signals Unit, he displayed exemplary leadership, devotion to duty, dogged determination and organizing ability in fabricating and quickly proving the equipment so that these are operationally available at the shortest possible time.

Wing Commander Parhee joined a special project in November, 1970. He has shown rare insight in planning and developing the proposed sophisticated system, evaluating impact of the system on existing communication network and determining the support requirements. He applied himself with unparalleled devotion to duty, untiring zeal and accomplished the task resulting in considerable savings in the overall cost of the project. By his initiative, meticulous planning and excellent leadership backed by technical knowledge, he was able to complete the task of site survey and system engineering of far flung sites in inaccessible mountainous areas on schedule. In 1974, Wg Cdr Parhee was deputed to a post abroad which called for technical knowledge, maturity and tact. In accomplishing the tasks Wing Commander Parhee showed extreme competence, rare judgment and technical skill, qualities which have been the hall-mark of his long and distinguished career.

Wing Commander (now Gp Capt) Puri during the early years of his service participated extensively in supply dropping missions in NEFA and Nagaland. Thereafter, he did a Night Fighter Course abroad and served in Night Air Defence Role in two operational squadrons. During his tenure as Staff Officer (Air) in the Cabinet Secretariat (Military Wing), he has distinguished himself in rendering excellent staff work for the conduct and deliberation of various committees of Higher Defence Organisation. He has written a number of papers on strategic issues, defence production and personnel problems in the Air Force.

Wing Commander Ashok Sarkar was commissioned in the Logistics Branch in March 1953. Since then he has held many important staff appointments and also served as member of Air Force delegations proceeding abroad.

In January 1972, he joined the staff of a composite supersonic aircraft cell at Air Headquarters. He has been primarily responsible for effecting the reorganization of this important cell. By dint of his sustained hard work much beyond the call of duty, perseverance, personal example, ingenuity, skill and considerable man-management techniques, he has particularly instrumental in streamlining the provisioning the entire range of spares and equipment for the first line aircraft. The high serviceability rate of this aircraft fleet and its consequent operational preparedness own in no small measure to his untiring efforts, high professional zeal and competence. Besides, it was solely due to Wg Cdr Sarkar's wholehearted energy and enthusiasm that a beginning has been made in the compilation of the alphanumeric catalogues of spares which is already bearing fruit in proper identification of items, quick clearance of demands, regulated and rationa lized holdings and in servicing of aircraft.

During April-May 1974, Wg Cdr Sarkar was hand picked as a member of the high powered Defence Delegation that visited USSR. His penetrating insight and clear concept of out logistic requirement vis-à-vis the intricate knowledge of the Russian supply set up and system, coupled with his capacity for mastering all relevant details was mainly responsible in rendering the Delegation's task simpler and easier. By arduously working long hours with sustained zeal and enthusiasm, totally unmindful of his own personnel inconvenience, Wg Cdr Sakrar had been instrumental for the significant achievement and success of the Delegation's mission.

Notwithstanding many odds and constraints like limited manpower resources, Wing Commander Sarkar has now upon himself the onerous responsibilities of logistics management of two of the supersonic aircraft weapon system.

Wg Cdr Sarakar has displayed exemplary leadership, professional skill and competence and has thus rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Hardip Singh Goraya was commissioned in the Flying (Pilot) Branch in November, 1954. During his distinguished career, he has held a number of flying and staff appointments in which he has acquitted himself credibly.

He has been holding the appointment of Staff Officer in the Air Staff of an operational Command since Feb 1973. The officer has discharged his responsibilities with great vigour and vitality. His willingness to probe deeply into problems and go into the minutest detail, combined with his readiness to put in long hours of hard work resulted in formulation and execution of perfect plans and programmes. He has single-handedly produced a number of papers on the future plans of the Command. He has also been responsible for the planning of 1973, 1974 and 1975 Annual Command Exercises. Especially with regard to the planning of the 1975 exercise, his contribution was almost total. In the conduct of these exercise also the officer up a great load on himself earning the appreciation of his superiors.

Wing Commander Goraya has proved himself to be an outstanding officer of unusual ability and has rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Srinivasan Krishanaswamy (4948) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned in the IAF in 1956. He had a brilliant academic career and passed out first in his Technical Course from Air Force Technical College. As a member of design team in the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited working on an advanced high performance fighter aircraft, he undertook the responsibility of designing supposed aerials and advanced instrumentation system. Though basically an electronic engineer, he spared no effort in mastering the Airframe and Stress Analysis techniques.

He also specialized in vibration analysis studies, which is a very important consideration for the safety of aircraft and of special interest to system designers. With great confidence, competence and outstanding professional knowledge, he was able to introduce new airborne navigational systems so as to increase the operational capability of our front line aircraft.

He successfully completed the installation of a sophisticated electronic equipment on a maritime aircraft in record time and personally undertook extensive flying to give 'On the Job Training' to Navigators. He carried out 100 hours of test flying on Maritime Reconnaissance Operational sorties as system instructor and Electronics Engineer.

On the formation of the system engineering organization under Ministry of Defence, this officer was one of the few to join the organization. He was a member of the team charged with the responsibility of preparing a comprehensive document (Statement of Works) covering all aspects of a reliable and sophisticated communication system. This officer displayed great deal of initiative and competence in a variety of filed both theoretical and practical.

In 1973, this officer was selected to represent the country at an International Conference on Telecommunication. He made significant technical contribution at this conference which was attended by the top-most experts in this field. For the past one year this officer has been engaged in the planning and design of a fully automatic per formance monitoring system. He has with his characteristic brilliance and foresight succeeded in designing a system which is amongst the most advanced in this field.

By his personal example and leadership he groomed the young officers under him systematically and methodically. His selfless devotion to duty earned him the admiration and affection of the officers and staff who worked with him.

Wing Commander Srinivasan Krishanaswamy, by his superior professional skill, hard work and dynamic leadership has rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Cecil Barretto (5232) Dental was commissioned in the Dental Corps in February, 1945. After having had his basic training, he was posted to No. 4 Army Dental Centre at Rawalpindi. After a short spell as a Dental Officer there, he was posted as OIC of 35 Ind Army Dental Centre and served till end of the war in that Dental Centre which was attached to 14 Ind Div. During his stay with 14 Ind Div he carried out dental inspection and treatment of among troops with the exceptional sense of duty and ensured that there was no man day lost among them. After the Second World War he served as Officer Commanding Military Dental Centre at various stations with devotion and selflessness.

Immediately after independence, he was posted to J&K as Officer in-charge No. 8 Military Dental Centre when Indian Army troops were inducted to fight the Pakistani Marauders in J&K State. He performed his duty during the course of his stay there with extreme devotion and unparalleled efficiency.

After he was seconded to the Air Force, he has served at different Air Force Stations with an exceptional good record of service. His professional skill and noteworthy manners of treatment are highly spoken of by all Air Force personnel and their families. At present this officer is commanding Military Dental Centre Panaji which is giving cover to a large number of army troops stationed there. Besides, he is called upon to look after the troops of the other services as and when stationed there.

Throughout, Wing Commander Cecil Barretto has rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Raj Kumar Mahajan (5251) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned in the IAF in September, 1956. He has held many important appointments both in operational units and on the staff at Air Headquarters. He took over the Command of a Technical Squadron of a Surface to Air Guided Weapons Complex on 19th March, 1973 and set to work with missionary zeal in determined effort to raise the standard of his unit to an exemplary level to enhance maintenance of technical equipment and vehicles of the Complex. Faced with numerous problems of unserviceability of equipment, shortage of spare parts and lack of experienced personnel, Wg Cdr Mahajan with outstanding leadership, initiative and personal example inspired his men to bring up operational readiness of his unit and accomplished the difficult task of training his crews to very high standard of efficiency thereby winning the best Technical Squadron Trophy for the year 1973-74. He continued to work with commendable energy, single minded devotion and perserverence and further improved the operational preparedness of his Squadron to an excellent standard. By active involvement, guidance and ingenuity he has also made significant contribution in the attainment of a very high standard of maintenance and serviceability of technical equipment and specialist vehicles in the Complex.

Wing Commander Virendra Nath Bhargava (5288) Medical was commissioned on 7th January, 1957 and within two and half years of service was graded as a medical specialist. Since then he has been working in various Hospitals and Establishments.

A classified specialist who has distinguished himself in academics with specialization in Cardiology in the United Kingdom, he has been an asset wherever he has been posted.

As a Staff Surgeon to the Chief of the Air Staff, he has shown considerable initiative and zeal in modernizing the treatment of diseases and bringing his medical unit to a high level of efficiency. He has displayed professional skill of a very high order, and carried out his duties with credit and dedication beyond the normal call of duty. This has resulted in high morale and a sense of well being among the Air Force personnel.

Wing Commander Virendra Nath Bhargava is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for rendering meritorious and distinguished service of a high order.

Wing Commander Raghavan Gopalaswamy (5826) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the Engineering Branch of the Air Force on 1st December, 1959.

Wing Commander Gopalaswamy was responsible during November 1961 to August 1975 for pioneering, guiding and directing the work of development of liquid propulsion systems for guided weapons in India. The bulk of this work has been taken up by him in the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad. This work which is entirely indigenous has laid down the foundation for the development of range of liquid rocket power plants for short and long range guided weapons and rockets.

Wing Commander Gopalaswamy is today one of the top Rocket Propulsion technologists in India. By his pioneering and dedicated efforts of an exceptional order over a long period of 13 years and in the face of unsurmountable difficulties he has estab lished a vital breakthrough and competence in our country in the design, development and testing of the entire spectrum of liquid propulsion engines for rockets and missiles.

Wing Commander Raghavan Gopalaswamy is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for the distinguished service of a high order and for self-reliance and propulsion technology in rockets and guided missiles.

Squadron Leader Birendra Kumar Nigam (5155) Education was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in April, 1956. He is one of the few trained Psychological Officers in the Air Force and has served as a Psychological first in No. 1 Air Force Selection Board and later as Senior Psychological Officer in No. 2 Air Force Selection Board. When serving as an Education Officer at No. 2 and 5 Ground Training Schools in 1956 and 1960, he imparted instruction in English to the first batch of Afghan and Indonesian airmen sent to India. The officer devised a special syllabus and at considerable pains prepared training notes and aids. He was the founder member of No. 2 Air Force Selection Board, Mysore where he served from 1962 to 1966. As the Senior Psychological Officer, he set up the Psychological Section from the scratch. In addition, he imparted practical training to the newly appointed Psychologists besides attending many administrative problems associated with the formation of a new Unit.

As Senior Education Officer of Air Force Station, New Delhi from 1966 to 1970, he with his initiative successfully expanded the educational facilities for the Air Force children. As Secretary of three Air Force Schools in Delhi he improved the standard of education of all the schools as well as the state of finances to a great extent. He also successfully officiated as the Principal of Air Force Central School for a short period. At another Air Force Station, finding that the Station Central School was not in a position to accommodate all the service children he developed the Station Nursery School into a recognized middle school.

In December, 1972, Sqn Ldr Nigam was posted to Headquarters No. 1 Operational Group as Officer in-Charge 'P' Staff. With hardly any past experience in this sphere, he took up his assignment as a challenge. Single handed, with inadequate staff he set about the task of setting up the administrative branch in right earnest and with enthusiasm. By his personal example and hard work, he has in a short time organized the section on sound footing. In addition, the responsibility of carrying out duties of Group Education Officer also fell on him. It is to his sheer hard work and dedicated work, without adequate staff, that the Group has been able to maintain an efficient control over the educational activities of the units. He is an example of a mature, dedicated and highly efficient officer and thus has rendered distinguished service of a high order.

Squadron Leader Janak Kapur (5585) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 29th May, 1958. Since then he has served in five different air defence squadrons. He is fully operational on subsonic and supersonic fighters and has done a large number of flying hours.

In carrying out his flying duties over the last 16 years, he has displayed great abilities as a fighter pilot and commander. He possesses courage, determination and professional competence of a high order. He is an example which has been emulated by his juniors.

Squadron Leader Janak Kapur is also a keen, disciplined and dedicated staff officer. He accepts responsibilities entrusted to him cheerfully and carries them out efficiently. With his qualities, he has proved to be of a very good pilot and an excellent administrator.

Squadron Leader Janak Kapur with his high sense of dedication to duty and great professional competence in the air and on ground has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Ranganath had a brilliant and distinguished academic career, which included two gold medals in the LLB Examination. As Officer-in-Charge Personnel-1 at Headquarters Training Command, he has handled the duties and jobs entrusted to him with utmost cheerfulness, diligence and competence. He was trained on aerial photography and has made significant contributions in the modi fication of two aircraft for aerial photographic roles. With his deep and clear knowledge of Air Force Law, Civil Law and various rules and regulations affecting personnel, he has been performing the duties connected with Courts Martial as well.

Squadron Leader Verma was posted as Assistant Director of Flight Safety after attending a specialist course in West Germany. In a short span of six months, he created and built up a truly professional Fight Safety magazine which has become a powerful tool for accident prevention in the Air Force. Through his efforts and selfless devotion to duty, aircraft accident rate has been considerably reduced.

Squadron Leader Jnan Ranjan Chatterjee (5851) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) joined the Air Force as a Wireless Operator in the year 1944. He was selected for flying duties as a Signaller (Air) in the year 1948. He stood first in the Signallers' (Air) Course and was detailed for instructional duties for Signallers from 1953 to 1958. As a Signaller he has flown 3829 hours on various operational and VVIP flights in a variety of transport aircraft. He was awarded Transport Aircrew Category 'A' which he has held for eight years. After successful completion of training at Air Force Technical College, he was granted Commission in the Technical Signals Branch in the year 1958.

He was posted as Senior Technical Officer at an operational unit in February, 1974. On taking over, he found that the radar set of his unit was due for major overhaul and replacement. The normal time estimated for this major task was 18 days. By applying management techniques, this officer planned, organized and executed the task in a remarkably short time of six days. During this period, the officer showed outstanding professional knowledge and exceptional administrative abilities and meticulous care for details.

On 25th March, 1974 the radar set became unserviceable. Though this repair task was beyond the normal scope of a front line unit, the officer with great confidence organized and accomplished the repair task within the unit resources. On 30th June, 1974 the set again became unserviceable. Though the task was beyond the scope of the unit, the officer with great zeal and single minded devotion got the repair carried out within the unit resources within six days.

The officer also displayed great ingenuity, professional skill and originality of thought by fabricating a cheap substitute component for which the foreign make Very High Frequency Radio Vehicle was lying unserviceable for about 18 months. The officer is also responsible for enhancing the life of a filter in a foreign make generating set. This has helped in saving of Rs. 200 per month in this unit alone.

Squadron Leader Jnan Ranjan Chatterjee, throughout his service career has displayed qualities of originality, leadership, innovation, capacity for hard work, consummate skill and thoroughness for details. He has thus rendered distinguished service of high order.

Squadron Leader Lath resolved the identification problem of stores of foreign make by hard work and study in depth. He established all the detailed information required in respect of the stores indented and then with the assistance of the staff built up a system whereby the required information is collected and suitably recorded. He also planned and put into effect a system of thorough scrutiny of 'Production Holds Up' demands and diligently progressed procurement action on them. He also evolved a method to ensure that locally procurable stores are always available by resorting to their purchase well in time. He has established a sound provisioning system at a big and very important Base Repair Depot of the Air Force.

Squadron Leader Sharma was posted to a Base Repair Depot after completing the post graduate course in Electronics and Control Engineering from Cranfield, U.K. He has not only performed the allotted functions of Industrial Engineer but has solved a large number of production problems thus helping maximise production. He developed a layout plan for the abinitio installation of Navigation System in a bomber aircraft. He was also associated with the development of a warning, radar system where he was responsible for design and fabrication of essential components of the system, fitment in the aircraft and flight trials. He has successfully designed and fabricated Antenna lifting jacks for surveillance radar of an Air Defence Complex.

Squadron Leader Man Mohan Singh Ahluwalia (6809) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in November, 1962. He was posted to an Operational Squadron in September, 1973. In the capacity as the Senior Technical Officer of the Squadron, this-officer set out to reorganise the technical section of the squadron to achieve maximum productivity with minimum manpower utilisation. He also undertook the direct responsibility of training all technical tradesmen to achieve a proficiency standard that was essential in the maintenance of the sophisticated aircraft that the Squadron had recently acquired.

Ever since Squadron Leader Ahluwalia took over Senior Technical Officer of the Squadron, aircraft serviceability state started to show marked improvement. With careful planning and scheduling of inspection, correct fault diagnosis and speedy snag rectification he was able to sustain a high percentage of aircraft serviceability which is now considered as a record among supersonic squadrons in the Indian Air Force. Due to his earnest and tireless effort the Squadron was able to meet the flying task regularly every month. Squadron Leader Man Mohan Singh Ahluwalia has displayed exemplary qualities as a manager and organiser and his professional skill and devotion to duty are praiseworthy. He has rendered distinguished service of a high order, for which he is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Mohinder Singh (6870) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned in the January, 1963. He is commanding a Repair and Salvage Unit since 21st February, 1972, which provided 3rd line servicing cover for aircraft of units in Western and Rajasthan sectors.

The officer worked out repair schemes for aircraft having structural damage due to accidents or fatigue which at times is beyond the normal scope of the unit. Some of the items for repairs, which would have taken a long time to materialize ex-India at a high cost, were improvised due to his ingenuity and repairs were executed in the shortest possible time. The officer with his initiative, organizational ability, high technical skill and leadership has been instrumental in developing the unit into a very proficient and well knit team thus enabling it to carry out repairs much beyond the normal task for a Repair and Salvage Unit. The prompt action by the unit has cut down the aircraft "ground time" to a very large extent which in turn has helped the Squadrons to sustained high serviceability and grater aircraft utilization. His leadership and guidance in evacuating a category 'B' Helicopter from Keylong Helipad in Lahul and Spiti Valley to a Base Repair Dept through hazardous and difficult roads, has been extremely praiseworthy.

Throughout his service career, Squadron Leader Mohinder Singh has displayed a very high degree of initiative, resourcefulness and perseverance. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for rendering the distinguished service of a high order.

Squadron Leader Sivalingam has been incharge of repairs of a particular Fighter aircraft at a Base Repair Depot. For the task year 1973-74, when he was there production registered an all time record of 27 aircraft. During the months preceding the Indo-Pak Conflict of 1971, he succeeded in completing production of nine aircraft in one month, again an all time record. He has done pioneering work in several projects concerning this type of aircraft, which includes successful modification of the aircraft for installation of a new Navigation system, Camera and coloured smoke emission system. Besides, he carried out a feasibility study of important modification to improve the operational performance of the aircraft.

Squadron Leader Reddy is currently holding fighter controller's category 'A'. While on the strength of an operational Signals Unit, he was entrusted with the challenging job of Unit Training Director. He was able to impart theoretical and practical knowledge to all fighter controllers posted to the Western sector as also a number of fighter controllers from other sectors and Commands. Thus he has brought about a marked improvement in the operational standard of all the fighter controllers in the sector. He has also been actively associated as Sector Operations Officer, Sector Director or Intercept Director in all the Air Defence exercises conducted since his posting to the unit.

A severe cyclone hit Jamnagar from the evening of till the early hours of 23 Oct 75 during which the wind went upto 180 km/hr. Squadron Leader Ramakrishna was officiating as Chief Operation Officer, right from the tine of receiving the initial warning personally supervised picketing of aircraft and himself got down the task along with various parties. During the hours of heavy gale, rain and darkness the officer went round from aircraft to aircraft and continued his supervision by walking in knee deep water in total darkness. The Officer's supervision of and guidance to gale parties was instrumental in saving a number of aircraft.

Master Warrant Officer Chandran was enrolled on 1 Nov 42. He was posted to Air Force Academy where he was in-charge of Harvard second line servicing. It was largely due to his efforts that inspite of the age of the Aircraft, the training targets could be adhered to and courses passed out on schedule. Notable amongst his achievements is elimination of Counter Weight shaft failures. In 1974 there were incidents of the front cowling of Harvard aircraft fouling with the propeller. With his professional knowledge and personal participation he evolved suitable servicing instruction to prevent recurrence of such incidents. His contribution to make flying safe is substantial.

Warrant Officer Sambasivan was enrolled on 3 Apr 44. He has taken active part in a large number of flight trials for evaluation of modern avionics systems. As Warrant Officer in-charge Project Team, he was required to participate in the installation of these sophisticated systems on a variety of aircraft under trial. He executed these tasks with the highest degree of proficiency. He also trained other airmen of the Avionics Test Laboratory for this type of work and played a major role in the successful conduct of Avionics Evaluation trials.

Flight Sergeant Varada Rajulu was enrolled in the Indian Air Force on 17 Aug 48. He is a very efficient and capable Senior NonCommissioned Officer with extreme personal involvement in the maintenance and servicing of the Squadron aircraft. He has undertaken all round responsibility as the Senior NonCommissioned Officer in-charge Repair and Salvage Section and Daily Servicing Section at the base and at detachments away from the base. His high sense of duty, thorough professional knowledge, zeal and pride in his job have inspired his subordinates to match his professional excellence and devotion to duty.

209286 Flight Sergeant Jagat Ram Sharma Fitter/Armourer was enrolled on 3rd July, 1951. Since then, with his thorough technical knowledge and extreme devotion to duty, he has rendered valuable service to the Indian Air Force.

He was posted to an operational Squadron in March, 1972 at a time when this Squadron was being re-equipped with latest fighter aircraft. He was appointed as the Senior NonCommissioned Officer in-charge of the Daily Servicing Section. With the associated teething problems of a re-equipped Squadron and with only a few trained hands available, it fell upon him to undertake the task of training and organizing his section to help commence conversion training of pilots. He devoted himself to this task with zeal and determination and in a few weeks, he was able to train a number of unit tradesmen to undertake all servicing tasks of this section. Flight Sergeant Jagat Ram Sharma kept up this tempo of activity and the Squadron was Fully Operational within a short period.

Ever since re-equipment of the squadron with new aircraft he has maintained a high standard of aircraft serviceability.

Flight Sergeant Jagat Ram Sharma is a very fine example of a highly devoted and responsible Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in a Flying Establishment. For qualities of management, dedication to duty and high professional skill, he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Flight Sergeant Sharma was enrolled on 1 Mar 58. He is one of the most outstanding technicians of his Squadron. He is consulted by technicians of all trades for unusual snags. He played an important role in servicing 6 Dakota engines awaiting major repairs on clutch assemblies by the overhauling agency at HAL, thus performed valuable service to the country and Air Force by saving transportation and overhauling cost and making available these engines for immediate use. His professional competence, devotion to duty and capacity for hard work have been a source of inspiration to others.

207827 Sergeant Jagtar Singh Athwal Fitter II Airframe was enrolled on 29th August, 1951. For the past 12 years he has been continuously working in front-line squadrons. He was Mentioned-in-Despatches for his performance in September, 1965 conflict with Pakistan. He also took active and creditable part in 1971 conflict with Pakistan in the Western Sector. He has been continuously working on supersonic aircraft for the past 8 years.

He was instrumental in maintaining a high standard of serviceability and maintenance efficiency in his trade. His technical skill and professional knowledge along with Practical, methodical and dedicate approach to maintenance activity enabled quick and accurate diagnosis, analysis and rectification of malfunction of aircraft systems.

Sergeant Athwal was one of the five SNCOs posted to a supersonic squadron who formed the nucleus of trained and experienced technicians when the squadron was re-equipped with the latest type of fighter aircraft in December, 1974. He immediately put his undiluted attention to the commitments facing the unit. He was detailed SNCO i/c Daily Servicing Section in January, 1975. It is to his credit that, within a short time, from collection of personnel with diverse experience from different units, he formed a well-knit, hard working and competent team. His cheerful disposition, even in the face of overwhelming odds, without ground equipment and adequate manpower, his Herculean capacity and willingness for hard work, and his faultless personal example, have been a great source of inspiration to all who have come in contact with him. Due to his initiative, organizational ability and professional competence the Squadron has more than adequately met its flying commitment inspite of the odds, achieved a high standard of maintenance and flight safety.

Throughout, Sergeant Jagtar Singh Athwal has constantly displayed professional ability, dynamic drive, organizing ability and dedication. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for rendering distinguished service of a high order.

Sergeant Pandey was enrolled on 11 Jun 57. During his tenure he has carried out structural repairs of helicopters in difficult areas under field conditions despite limited facilities. He was responsible for the repair of one helicopter which had main shell and the stub boom damaged in a crash in a snow covered valley beyond a forward base. There were no jigs available to align the shell, stub boom and tail boom. Yet he carried out the repair by fabricating a new stub boom with frames and strings. He was also called upon to undertake the structural modification of a helicopter for mineral survey purposes which he carried out in a very short time.

221343 Sergeant Tulsi Parthasarthy Medical Assistant was enrolled on 5th December, 1957. During this period of about 18 years he has rendered invaluable service to the Indian Air Force. Wherever he worked, he set an example for others to emulate. He has been on deputation to the Aviation Research Centre since 15th February, 1971. This hard working, energetic and intelligent Senior Non-Commissioned Officer has shown exem plary behavior, exceptional courage and devotion to duty during an air crash on 3rd May, 1975. Sergeant Tulsi Parthasarthy rushed to the scene of accident and rendered invaluable assistance in administering first aid and subsequent evacuation of one of the pilots who was very seriously injured. He then set forth to trace the bodies of other victims of the crash from the burning and fuming wreckage. With determination and courage he assisted the fire fighting and survival crew tremendously to extricate the bodies of other crew members from the blazing debris. But for his utmost sincerity, concerted and timely action some of the bodies could not have been recovered. Sergeant Tulsi Parthasarthy placed service and devotion to duty above self and displayed most exemplary service during an emergency.

For his exemplary courage and devotion to duty Sergeant Tulsi Parthasarthy is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Corporal Matharu was enrolled on 13 Jan 64. He has been on the posted strength of a Helicopter Unit and he has displayed extraordinary skill In the rectification of very complicated snags. This, he has achieved through intelligent application of snag diagnosis and rectification procedures requiring a high degree of patience and hard work. In the absence of scaled test rigs, he has displayed initiative in locally fabricating alternative means to meet the test require ments for the aircraft components. He was earlier com mended by the Chief of the Air Staff in 1970 and again in 1973.