Corporal Phani Raju Kala Venkata AFSO II has been on the posted strength of an operational Wing since March 1973. On 25th September 1975, when he was on Aircraft Crash Crew duty, an AN-12 aircraft landed with heavy smoke and fire in the crew cabin due to the electrical short circuit. Corporal Phani Raju Kala Venkata immediately followed the aircraft with the crash tender. As soon as the aircraft came to a halt, in complete disregard to his personal safety, rushed into the aircraft and started extinguishing fire. Although he felt suffocated due to heavy smoke, he did not lose courage and continued his endeavours to extinguish the fire and was ultimately able to bring the fire under control and thus saved a valuable and irreplaceable aircraft.

In this action, Corporal Phani Raju Kala Venkata displayed exemplary courage, initiative, determination and devotion to duty of a high order.

As Commander of a Bomber Squadron, Group Captain Jaspal Singh led his Squadron in a commendable manner, winning many a laurel in inter­Squadron armament competitions. For five years he was connected with the Flight Safety Organisation at Air Headquarters and by his organising ability and sound technical knowledge implemented various plans. As Commander of a large multi­role station, he has successfully tackled many complex operational, training, maintenance and administrative problems. He has flown over 4000 hours without a blemish.

Throughout, Group Captain Jaspal Singh displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Jatendra Kumar Dhawan displayed profcssiona1 skill and devotion to duty.

The operation of AN-12 aircraft was adversely affected during May-June, 1965 due to non-availability of aircraft accumulators. On finding that inordinate delay was likely in procuring new accumulators from Russia, Squadron Leader Jagdish Mitter Kaushal approached Air stores Park and collected more than hundred Cat 'E' accumulators which had sustained various types of damage during transit between Russia and India. Through hard work and ingenuity, he repaired about 90 per cent of the total number of these accumulators and after a thorough test put them into use. Their actual operation indicated that these accumulators were giving as good a service as the new ones. By his determination and initiative of high order, Squadron Leader Kaushal not only saved equipment worth a large amount in foreign exchange, but made a most significant contribution towards the maintenance of a high rate of aircraft serviceability.

On the night of 15 Sep 65, an aircraft crashed while taking off. The aircraft was carrying a full bomb-load of explosive bombs and caught fire on impact with an obstruction. The fire spread rapidly and threatened two AN-12 aircraft parked on the southern edge of the apron. Squadron leader Kaushal who was the Duty Engineering Officer immediately organised the evacuation of these aircraft with complete disregard to personal danger. Before long both the aircraft were towed away to a safe area. In doing so this officer exhibited exceptional devotion to duty in the face of risk to his own life.

216416 Corporal Ram Kishore Gupta has been serving with an operational wing since February, 1971. On 23rd November, 1971 he was NonCommissioned Officer in-charge of crash crew. At 1650 hours, he observed one fighter aircraft coming overhead carrying out the R/T unserviceability procedure. He immediately alerted his crash crew for any eventuality. The aircraft made a heavy landing. Corporal Gupta noticed that the aircraft did not have the canopy and a little smoke was coming out of the cockpit. He correctly followed the aircraft with crash tenders and other safety vehicles. As soon as the aircraft came to halt, he with his crew reached the scene within seconds. A thick smoke and flame was coming out of the cockpit. As soon as the pilot jumped out of the cockpit Corporal Gupta and his crew extinguished the fire very efficiently. But for this prompt action the aircraft would have been seriously damaged. On 29th November, 1971, another aircraft abandoned take off. Corporal Gupta observed the smoke was coming out from the port tyre. He along with his crew promptly rushed to the aircraft and extinguished the fire before it could do any damage to the aircraft.

During the Indo-Pak operations of December, 1971, one aircraft landed back after the mission with a huge flame from underneath the fuselage was observed by the crash crew. Corporal Gupta and his crew reached the scene immediately and extinguished the fire saving valuable aircraft.

In performance of his duties, Corporal Ram Kishore Gupta displayed great enthusiasm and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Group Captain Vijay Shanker Kapani (12766) F (P) was commissioned on 12 Jun 1971 in fighter stream and is fully qualified on MiG-21 variants with 2800 hrs of accident free flying. He is an A-2 QFI as well as Fighter Combat Leader. He is posted as Chief Operations Officer of a base, which is unique in its operations requirement and has the distinction of operating fighter, Tpt, Hepters and guided weapon elements. He has shouldered this immense responsibility with total commitment, foresight and constructive planning spanning over two years.

This base by virtue of being a nodal point for complete air maintenance of the northern sector demanded expert management of meagre resources. His rational application of experience and effective operational handling yielded commendable results in achieving 100% air maintenance tasks during 1997-98 and 1998-99. VIP commitments, national flypasts and specific operational task assigned to the Station at short notice were also commendably executed under his able leadership. Because of his sincerity, dedication and flawless guidance this base could achieve all operational tasks during his tenure.

Understanding and far sightedness of Gp Capt VS Kapani to appreciate operational requirements provided him the impetus to rejuvenate the loop dispersal area, which housed 17 Blast Pens. This loop dispersal and assets worth crores were lying disused since last ten years and were in a dilapidated condition. Through personal example, grit, perseverance and time bound programs, he managed to retrieve these irreplaceable assets without any MES expenditure, thus affecting savings of crores to the exchequer. The area is now fully fit for fighter operations.

He is also responsible for heralding computer awareness at this station. His personal involvement and dedication has resulted in establishing of LAN and associated training including repair of large number computers which demanded extremely long and sustained quality work, much beyond the normal call of duties.

For his exemplary dedication total commitment and self-less contribution to service, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Vijay Shanker Kapani.

Group Captain Jabali Chandrasekhar (16374) F (P) was commissioned in the Flying Branch on 11 Jun 81. He is an AN-32, B-737 and DC-3 pilot with over 8100 hrs to his credit. The officer is a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College. He has commanded a Frontline Flight, Paratroopers Training School (PTS) and Air HQ Communication Squadron. He is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Air Force Station Chandigarh since 26 Oct 06.

Gp Capt J Chandrasekhar assumed command of Frontline Flight when the flight was shifting to its new location and inducting the Boeing-737. Being the only QFI on type, he converted all new inductees including ASTE pilots and operationalised the system on board. He flew extensively during Op Parakram. As CO of PTS, he led from the front and earned his Para Wing by carrying out five para jumps. The Unit achieved a record number of para jumps in a calendar year during his tenure and was selected for the best transport Sqn Championship from HQ CAC.

As Commanding Officer of the prestigious Air HQ Communication Sqn, he ensured impeccable and on-time operations. The smooth induction of the new executive jets Embraer and the work services and design reviews for the BBJs (Boeing Business Jets) were also planned meticulously. The Sqn flew a record of number of hours during his tenure. He has also been doing the Air Force proud by regularly taking part in the Delhi half marathon.

As COO of the Air Force Station Chandigarh, he actively involved himself in planning and execution of air maintenance operations to the Siachen and the Station over achieved the annual task. He was also instrumental in eradicating the blue bull menace to a large extent. During the Indian Air Force President's Fleet Review in March 2007, he planned and executed the movement of large number of aircraft.

For his distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Jabali Chandrasekhar.