The services of Wing Commander Subramanyan Chenna Keshu were loaned from the I.A.F. to H.A.L in May, 1960, as Prototype Production Engineer. When the programme for building H.F.-24 prototype production began, this officer was given the task to study the best method of production based on an examination of the drawings of this indigenous supersonic fighter. He was also to study the latest method of manufacture and to produce the parts in the shortest possible time. This officer contributed in a significant manner to the flying of the first Prototype in June 1961 and brought to bear on his task technical and organizational ability of a high order. In addition, in the past 2 ½ years of his service with the H.A.L., the officer has built up a team of engineers and technicians, which is now engaged in the preparation of quantity production of H.F.-24.

Wing Commander Chandrakant Sridhar Naik was appointed, on deputation from I.A.F. as Officer-in-Charge, Flight Test Group HF-24 Project on 1st June, 1960. The officer's task was to create facilities for flight development of the HF-24 Prototype. Such facilities did not exist in the country as this was the first time flight development of a high performance aircraft was undertaken in India. The task involved planning of flight test, working our the most optimum flight test techniques, design and installation of automatic recording equipment in the prototypes, working out the methods of analysis of results, training of raw personnel, etc. Being a completely new field of technical activity no trained personnel were readily available. The time available for creation of facilities was barely nine months. Starting with these severe handicaps, this officer executed his task in a commendable manner and managed to undertaken flight development of Supersonic aircraft. The voluminous data obtained and analysed during the flights of the prototypes have proved to be very accurate and extremely valuable. In the absence of such data the development of the HF-24 aircraft would have been a difficult task. Wing Commander Naik, in executing these tasks, has shown very high engineering skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Wing Commander Bal Krishan Dhiman (4332) was commissioned in the Flying Branch (Pilot) of the Air Force in August, 1952. After service in several fighter squadrons, he was given training as a flying instructor, and served in that capacity at a flying training unit. Thereafter, following another period of service in operational squadrons, he was given training as a test pilot. He has since been serving as a test pilot in the Air Force, and since December 1965 with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Wing Commander Dhiman was the first Indian Air Force Pilot posted to the Nasik Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, where he is actively associated with test flying of MiG-21 FL aircraft in different phases of production. The initiative, courage and dedication to duty shown by him in the discharge of his duties have been of high order. His contribution towards the different phases of production of MiG-21 FL aircraft have been most valuable. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has been so highly impressed by his professional skill that they were able to return a foreign Test Pilot much earlier than scheduled.

Throughout his career, Wing Commander Bal Krishan Dhiman has rendered distinguished service of a high order, for which he is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.

Squadron Leader Anand has been serving as a Project Officer with Hindustan Aeronautics. He was responsible for coordinating and organizing various facilities required for para-trooping trials conducted in a foreign country. By his personal efforts and initiative he developed an automatic aerial delivery system. Awarded Vishisht Seva Medal for determination, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Dharam Singh Gupta (4643) was commissioned in the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force in November, 1953. During his service career, he has filled a wide variety of appointments creditably. He served as Staff Officer to Air Officer in-Charge Maintenance prior to taking up his assignment of Staff Officer to Chairman, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. At Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, he was additionally handling the duties of Assistant Commercial Manager in the Commercial Department at the Head Office. In all these appointments, he has been intimately connected with the policy issues connected with maintenance, operations and the plethora of problems arising with a highly sophisticated industrial complex like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

While performing his onerous duties, he has, through his own efforts, obtained a Master's Degree in Business Administration, with distinction, from Delhi University. He has unmistakably demonstrated that he is capable of hard work under conditions of stress without allowing the quality of his work to suffer.

Wing Commander Dharam Singh Gupta's day-to-day work as an Aide, personal example, tact, utmost discretion, selfless devotion to duty and the commendable manner in which he has always handled extremely sensitive issues are worthy of emulating by others. He has rendered distinguished service of high order.

Group Captain Arvindra Singh Butola VM (16789) F (P) was commissioned on 04 Jun 1982 in the Flying branch of the IAF. During 22 years of distinguished service, he has held important appointments which includes Flying Instructor at Basic Flying Training School (BFTS) and Helicopter Training School (HTS), Senior Test Flight Instructor at Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Senior Flying Instructor at Namibian Defence Force and Commanding Officer of a Cheetah Unit. He is a Qualified flying Instructor, Experimental Test Pilot and graduate of Defence Services Staff College. He has more than 6100 hrs of accident/incident free flying of which 800 hrs have been flown towards test flying various types of helicopters in last three years. He has been awarded Vayu Sena Medal for displaying exceptional professionalism and devotion to duty. Presently he is on deputation to HAL as Deputy Chief Test Pilot since 21 Jul 2001.

As a QFI and Test Pilot, Gp Capt Butola converted user pilots on ALH on its induction into the three Services during 2002-03. Concerned with sudden increase in the accident rate of Cheetah helicopters including several fatal accidents, a project was taken up by HAL to re-engine the Cheetah with Turbomeca TM-333-2M2 to increase the reliability of the helicopter and resolve other problems affecting the indispensable Cheetah fleet. This was important as no other existing helicopter could meet the stringent requirements to operate in "Siachen Glacier". Group Captain Butola as a project pilot for the reengining of Cheetah involved himself with the project from the design phase and progressed it to first flight and thereafter single handedly undertook the flight-testing of the helicopter, at Bangalore and Leh, up to certification. He used his knowledge as a test pilot and experience of having operated Cheetah extensively at high altitudes to drive the project successfully and ensured that all problems were addressed and a solution found. Subsequent to certification by CEMILAC, Group Captain Butola successfully inducted re-engined Cheetah into the "Siachen Glacier" in May 2004.

The officer has not only displayed exceptional professional aptitude but has also been an epitome of sincerity and dedication while handling the project. The success of the re-engined Cheetah and its induction into the service would not only improve the reliability and safety of Cheetah but will also significantly improve the high altitude performance and reduce the cost of operation substantially. This will give a new lease of life to the Cheetah fleet and enhance operational capability.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Arvindra Singh Butola VM.