Flight Lieutenant Geerpuram Nadathur Sundar as Engineering Officer of an operational squadron produced indigenous know-how for the servicing of a complicated component which was earlier serviced outside the country.

Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for making a significant contribution towards improved maintenance in the Air Force.

Sqn Ldr Raj Karan Singh Shera has been on the posted strength of a fighter squadron in the IAF.

Sqn Ldr Shera is one of the few engineers trained in USSR on MiG-29 aircraft. He was posted to a combat Sqn, the first squadron to get converted to MiG-29. With his professional approach, he efficiently handled the complex task of setting up the first MiG-29 Squadron DSS. The proof of his efforts, especially in terms of planning and organising, was evident from the fact that within no time the squadron could commence operations in an organised fashion. He also was instrumental in the pioneering work of making 1st line servicing schedules and ORP procedures.

Due to inadequate spares support from USSR, the unserviceability of avionics spares had been affecting the serviceability of MiG29 Fleet, which had come down to 45%. At that stage, repair of avionics LRUs was thought of. The task was very challenging as no expertise, publications, circuit diagrams etc. were available. Inspite of these handicaps, Sqn Ldr RKS Shera accepted the challenge and started the repair work which was a total pioneering effort at field level. His dedicated effort resulted in recovery of LRUs. He also ventured into indigenisation of certain critical spares, thus saving huge amount of foreign exchange.

For his distinguished services of very exceptional order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr RKS Shera.