During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Suresh Damodar Karnik served as Flight Commander of a Bomber Squadron. He flew six very important and difficult missions, by day as well as by night in the Western and the Eastern Sector. These missions involved day and night bombing raids over enemy airfields and interdiction of enemy boats by day. The interdiction missions were flown against a large volume of flak, resulting in damage to his aircraft by enemy fire. Despite this, he pressed home his attacks and claimed a number of enemy boats destroyed. He also carried out a day bombing raid over Chittagong airfield in the fact of heavy Ack Ack fire. During this mission, he bombed and destroyed a large P.O.L. dump, which was seen to catch fire, by subsequent aircraft. Throughout the operations, in addition to flying his share of missions, he shouldered the burden of supervision of missions and the administration of the flight.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Suresh Damodar Karnik displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Kalyan Kumar Dutta, as Navigations Leader of a Bomber Squadron played a key role in the successful performance of the Squadron. The entire missions and the route missions for the squadron were meticulously carried out by him. In addition, as Navigator to his Squadron Commander he undertook the most difficult and dangerous missions himself with exemplary keenness and courage. On a special mission to an airfield by night, he executed some of the best and most accurate navigation at extremely low attitude of 100 to 200 feet above the hilly terrain resulting in a successful first run attack over the runway.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Kalyan Kumar Dutta displayed gallantry, professional skill and leadership of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Aspari Raghunath (9122) was serving with a bomber Squadron. He volunteered for every sortie and mission. By virtue of his keenness and ability, he was also earmarked for a special task, which was completed successfully despite enemy ack ack and air defence.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Aspari Raghunath displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Palamadai Sundaram Subramanian was serving as Engineering Officer of an Operational Squadron. He put the Repair and Servicing Section on a sound footing. Throughout the period of the operations, he worked incessantly and maintained a high serviceability rate. He thus made a significant contribution to the operational efficiency and achievements of the Squadron.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Palamadai Sundaram Subramanian displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Joginder Pal worked single-handed and round the clock, supervising rectification, loading and unloading of armament stores, changes of configuration and was generally in charge of the armament operations. The fact, that the Squadron dropped over 4,00,000 lbs. of bomb load and a variety of other miscellaneous stores, within a period of a fortnight, is a tribute to his hard work and dedication to duty.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Joginder Pal displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Purnachandra Madhav Rao Takle was Flight Commander in a bomber squadron from1 February 1969 to March 1972 and assumed the command of Squadron in March 1972. During the period of his stay in the Squadron, he worked most diligently to improve the operational readiness of the Squadron.

During the operations in December, 1971, he carried out seven very vital and dangerous missions, covering both the Eastern and Western Sectors, involving deep penetration into the enemy territory. These missions included night interdiction by the light of flares and bombing raids against heavily defended enemy airfields. Besides carrying more operational missions than any other pilot in the unit, he supervised operational planning and aircraft servicing activities with exemplary keenness and determination. He was killed in a flying accident on 29th March, 1972.

Throughout, Wing Commander Purnachandra Madhav Rao Takle displayed courage, leadership and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Brij Mohan Malik joined a Bomber Squadron and had logged over 700 hours. His navigational skill and bombing performance has been of an exceptional standard. Although young in service, he has always volunteered to shoulder heavy responsibilities and cheerfully undertaken all types of tasks, both in flying and on the ground. During the Indo-Pak Conflict of 1971 he undertook five missions which he accomplished most successfully with precision navigation and accurate bombing. He was selected to fly for project "Storm Exchange" which involved difficult and skilful flying all over India in monsoon conditions. During this tour he displayed exceptional confidence and ability in flying.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Brij Mohan Malik displayed navigational ability, leadership and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Air Force.

Wg Cdr Norman Anil Kumar Browne was commissioned on 24 Jun 72 and has been in command of a Squadron, equipped with the frontline Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft since Dec 90. Wg Cdr Browne is a graduate of Staff College in USA. He has over 3000 hours of accident-free flying.

Immediately after assuming command of the Squadron, he set about enhancing the operational preparedness and potential of the unit. Wg Cdr Browne's personal contribution in development of tactics has been very significant. Recommendations made by him and his team have been accepted by Air HQ and these form a part of the standard tactics for strike squadrons.

During a low level night strike mission in a Jaguar aircraft, he experienced serious controls malfunction followed by controls restriction in the rudders. As worthy professional, he remained cool and analyzed the emergency correctly. He nursed the stricken aircraft to a safe altitude. He had to fly the aircraft extremely close to the limits of the performance envelope. He displayed extraordinary qualities of airmanship in landing the crippled aircraft thus saving invaluable aircraft.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Wg Cdr NAK Browne.

Wing Commander Ramesh Rai (14669) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a pilot in the Flying branch on 29 December 76. He is an A-2 category Instructor and is Staff College qualified. He stood first in the test pilots course and won the trophies for 'Best in Test Flying'. At the flying Instructors' course he won the trophy for being "Best in Ground Subjects". He was awarded commendation by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command in 1979 and by the Chief of Air Staff in 1995.

Wing Commander Ramesh Rai was appointed Commanding officer of a Fighter Squadron on 28 December 95. On assuming command, he devoted himself with selfless commitment to raise the operational capability and performance of the Squadron. He intensified operational training learning and flying, particularly in Armament and Electronic Warfare. As a result, his Squadron won two trophies in exercise "Eklavya" for excellence in marksmanship. The Squadron undertook extensive study and trials of the Electronic Warfare Pod and evolved successful programmes and tactics against enemy Naval and Air Force radars which have now come to stay in the Air Force. Having excelled in all facets of operations, maintenance and administration, the Squadron won the "Best Fighter Squadron" trophy in the Command. These achievements were a result of his total devotion, professional dedication and leadership.

For his exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Ramesh Rai.

Sergeant Mahesh Nath Bhan has been serving with an Operational Squadron for the last seven years. During his stay in this Squadron he has been responsible for the servicing of all ranges of ground equipment required for the aircraft in use. His thorough knowledge and high technical skill has resulted in achieving enviable serviceability of 100%. Thus, his sustained efforts have been instrumental in enabling the Squadron to achieve a high state of operational readiness.

Despite his personal discomfort and handicapped by low medical category, Sgt. Bhan has put in sustained hard work to keep the Squadron always operationally ready. In this he has displayed vast organising ability. He has technical skill, unfaultering devotion to duty and tremendous capacity for hard work. He has rendered invaluable service and has been a source of inspiration to his other colleagues in the Squadron.

Sergeant Syed Muniruddin has been associated with Canberra Squadrons for over a decade. During this period he has been concerned with first and second line servicing of all ranges of armament equipment fitted in this aircraft meant for various roles. He has been instrumental in carrying out almost all modifications introduced by the IAF in this aircraft concerning armament. He has made significant contribution towards the introduction of a release unit which was subsequently used in other aircraft as well with slight modifications. He is a versatile worker, having extreme resourcefulness and devotion to duty. His missionary zeal for work and high standard of discipline has set an excellent example to all men in this Squadron. Sgt. Muniruddin has rendered invaluable service of a distinguished order.

218163 Flight Sergeant Kulwant Singh Kular, Fitter Armourer was enrolled in the Indian Air Force in March, 1954. During his career he has served in a number of operational units.

Flight Sergeant Kular is at presen serving as the Senior Non-Commissioned officer incharge of Armament Section of an operational Squadron. He has been instrumental in analyzing and rectifying several obscure faults in the aircraft armament systems. His contribution to the improvement of the reliability of airborne and ground armament equipment has been significant.

Flight Sergeant Kular has successfully fabricated a very reliable device to test the serviceability of the armament system of an operational type of aircraft, the use of which will drastically reduce failure in the system. He has thus made a significant contribution to the operational efficiency of the IAF. His personal example of dedicated service has been a constant source of inspiration to his men.

By his outstanding work, professional skill, initiative and selfless devotion to wor, Flight Sergeant Kulwant Singh has rendered distinguished service of a hig order. He is awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.