Wing Commander Harbhajan Singh is presently the Chief Engineering Officer (CEO) of an Air Force Station in the Eastern Sector. This base undertakes intensive flying in support of Army, Paramilitary Forces and civilian population of North East States. The average task is of the order of 4,500 hours of flying to deliver 5,500 mt of load. Operations of such magnitude require harmonised maintenance support to ensure sustained high serviceability. Wing Commander Harbhajan Singh addressed this requirement with utmos t sincerity and professional competence. Using exceptional skills, he re-organised the Central Repair and Salvaging Section into an integrated semi-centralised production system. This resulted in an accelerated monthly turn over of seven to eight aircrafts from second line servicing and in faster build-ups of aircraft on ground. He instituted an effective maintenance safety programme. On three occasions the two helicopter units at this Base achieved 100% serviceability.

The admirable maintenance support enabled the station to achieve a record 5,200 hours of flying and air lift 6,200 mt. The airfield safety vehicles, navigational aids and communication equipment at his Base and at all advance landing grounds were maintained at near 100% serviceability. He was instrumental in fabrication of helicopter loading trolleys, which proved to be force multipliers at the forward maintenance bases.

For his distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Harbhajan Singh.

Group Captain Kumar Krishnachandrasinhji Gohil (14688) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 29 Dec 1976. He is fully operational on Hunter, Avro HS-748 and An-32 aircraft with nearly 4000 hours of accident-free flying. He is presently posted as Chief Operations Officer at Air Force Station Jorhat since 26 August 2002. He has had the distinction of commanding a VIP Communication Flight during 1993-95 and a premier Transport Squadron between 2000-02, apart from holding various staff appointments at Air Headquarters and Eastern Air Command. He is a first class graduate from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and stood first in the Higher Air Command Course at the College of Air Warfare. He has also been Vice-Captain of the Services Cricket Team and participated at the national level in Ranji Trophy from 1982 to 1987.

On 03 Jul 2000, as Commanding Officer of a Transport Squadron, Gp Capt Gohil was given the onerous task of re-establishing the unit with Avro HS-748 aircraft on relocation at Vadodara. Despite several teething problems owing to lack of infrastructure and limited resources, he was able to mould the unit into a close-knit entity and generate the necessary motivation and impetus so as to far exceed the stringent Key Result Areas set by Headquarters South West Air Command (SWAC). During Operation Vayu Sahayata, he was mainly responsible for the sustained and well-coordinated relief operations undertaken from Vadodara during Jan-Feb 2001 in the aftermath of the earthquake in Gujarat, earning appreciation from the Civil and State agencies alike. Under his exemplary leader ship, the Squadron was adjudged Best Transport / Helicopter Squadron in SWAC for 2000-01 and thereafter remained the mainstay of the Command throughout the activation for Operation Parakram in 2001-2002.

As Chief Operations Officer, Gp Capt Gohil demonstrated a tremendous capacity for work and discharged all responsibilities with complete dedication and single-minded devotion to duly. With his meticulous planning and prompt responses, he produced staff-work of a very high standard. By virtue of his perseverance, tireless involvement in coordinating and close monitoring of all flying-related activities at the base, he consistently ensured safe and efficient operations in fulfillment of any task assigned to the station. Within his sphere of influence at the base, the Air Traffic Services unit was adjudged second in the IAF in 2003 and the AN-32 unit declared Best Transport Squadron of the IAF in 2004. He has also been a very reliable second-in-command and ensured continuity in the attainment of set goals and service aims when officiating as Station Commander. He has also participated wholeheartedly in all sporting and social activities of the station, verily setting a worthy example for all Air Warriors to emulate.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Kumar Krishnachandrasinhji Gohil.

Group Captain Anup Kumar Patnaik (15295) AE (L) was commissioned on 04 Jan 1978. In 28 years of distinguished service, he has held several field and staff appointments. The officer w.e.f. 01 Oct 04 is on the posted strength of Air Force Station Jorhat, as Chief Engineering Officer (CEO).

A highly qualified and experienced engineer on aircraft, electronic warfare and signals intelligence, the officer, in his 28 years of service, commanded a Ground Electronic Surveillance Unit, set up the Engineering Faculty for Aeronautical Engineer's ab-initio training at Air Force Academy as the first Chief Instructor and held important appointments at Air Headquarter including Joint Director Operations (Information & Electronic Warfare) and as Director Engineering 'B'for non-Russian transport aircraft and helicopters. The officer interfaced Electronic Cipher Line machines with Personal Computers in 1991 for which he was commended by the CAS in 1992.

On taking over as CEO Jorhat, he focused his attention on building up AN-32 serviceability, which, at that time, was only 44 %. He was able to recover five out of eight AOG aircraft within twelve months from the two AN-32 Squadrons on the base. Through liaison with Base Repair Depots, Equipment Depots, Command Headquarters and Air HQ and non stop effort at the Air Force Station, average serviceability crossed 80% by March 06. By Apr 06, both squadrons had independently achieved 100 % serviceability. The officer then took on a seemingly impossible task. He planned availability of 20 ac out of the 24 from both Squadrons, to enable a record breaking 20 ac fly past, unprecedented for the AN-32 fleet of the IAF. With ingenuity, planning, and relentless hard work, he achieved the unprecedented. On 31 May 06, both the Squadrons flew 10 AN-32s each in two formations, making history for the Air Force Station, Jorhat and for the transport fleet of the IAF.

The officer's achievements extended to all aspects of engineering on the Wing. He was instrumental in carrying out a major BEML wheel dozer repair locally by retrieving spares from a BER vehicle of Air Force Station Kalaikunda saving Rs 11 lakhs to the exchequer. He installed inverter lights on both sides of the main runway, to cater for failure of the commercial power supply until the DG set took over the load. By personal liaison with EAC and Air HQ, he ensured despatch of 300 life expired heavy bombs by road to stock holding depot, a task pending for the last two years due to non-availability of railway wagons. The Instrument Landing System on the Station had been unserviceable since 1998, and all attempts to obtain spares had failed. Using existing components, he ensured that it was made serviceable on 01 May 06 and has remained serviceable since then. Serviceability of navigational aids and communication equipment, vehicles etc were maintained at 98-99% for the past one year despite their vintage. His inspired leadership, sustained hard work and professional pride instilled in his engineering team, made these outstanding achievements possible.

For his outstanding contributions, foresight, personal involvement and distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Anup Kumar Patnaik.