Wing Commander Vidya Sagar Chadha took over the Command of an Operational Squadron in November, 1969. Under his leadership, the Squadron achieved a very high degree of combat preparedness in a short time. This was demonstrated in mid1970, when the Squadron won the Command Combat Efficiency Trophy. Wing Commander Chadha led a group of supersonic fighters in the Inter-Command Weapons Meet in 1970. His group's results were the best for their category. He has 4,000 hours of accident free, single-engine flying to his credit, out of which nearly 3,500 hours are on Jet aircraft. Throughout his tenure as Squadron Commander, he has displayed exceptional devotion to duty and has set the finest standards in flying and airmanship for the younger pilots to emulate.

Wing Commander Satish Kumar Jain was commissioned in Oct 65. He has flown as many as 3760 hours accident-free on eighteen different types of aircraft.

He was assigned the command of a fighter squadron in Sep 84. This operational squadron also imparts flying training to freshly commissioned pilots. With superior organizational skill and total involvement, Wg Cdr Jain has reorganized and fine-tuned his squadron into a highly efficient and potent organistaion. He has been able to motivate his officers and men and has thus stepped up flying effort by 50%. Wg Cdr Jain has ensured a consistently high standard of training both for staff pilots and the trainees. With exceptional control and organization of maintenance activities, his Squadron established a record of high aircraft serviceability. In 1985-86 the Squadron recorded 100% serviceability on four occasions. No humanerror accident in 5600 hours of flying is the indicator of his direct involvement in all spheres of activities.

For his commendable organistational acumen, operational achievements and exceptional leadership qualities, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wing Commander Satish Kumar Jain.

Wing Commander Adiyeri Chevidichi Rajeev (15215) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a Pilot in the Flying Branch on 28 Dec 77. He has 3850 hrs of accident free flying to his credit. The officer has held the appointments of Right Commander and Station Flight Safety and Inspection Officer. He is an A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Strike Leader and a graduate of Defence Services Staff College. He has been commended by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command and by the Chief of the Air Staff.

Wg Cdr Rajeev is posted as Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron responsible for ab-initio type training. Operational conversion training of ab-initio trainees on fighter aircraft is an unenviable task. Early in his tenure, Wg Cdr Rajeev assessed the demands of his exacting task. Through concerted effort and effective leadership Wg Cdr Rajeev ensured prompt task completion thus enabling all courses to pass out in time. The exceptional flight safety record, the Squadron enjoyed, inspire of the intense training environment, speaks volumes of the Commanding Officer's deep involvement. Staff pilot training was also accelerated to ensure 100% operational and instructional clearances. His innovative training techniques have been adapted by Directorate of Air Staff Inspection for implementation in other Squadrons. Wg Cdr Rajeev himself reached a personal land-mark of 2000 hrs of accident free flying on the MiG21, which is a most creditable achievement by itself.

Driven by the singular aim of improving aircraft availability for his task, he addressed the issue of a large number of aircraft on ground (AOG). Through effective liaison with higher formations and HAL, he accelerated the clearance of his AOG demands. Effec tively utilising his managerial skills and excellent interpersonal relations he raised the productivity of his technical staff. The end result was a sustained high serviceability, touching 100% at times. His genuine concern for his men and welfare orientation has resulted in a large number of welfare measures in his Squadron.

For exceptional devotion to duty and exemplary leadership the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Adiyeri Chevidichi Rajeev.

Wing Commander Ashok Lal (16031) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 15 Jun 1980. He took over the command of a MiG-21 Squadron at Air Force Station, Chabua on 27 March 2000. Throughout his tenure of two years and five months, he not only displayed motivation, dedication and tireless zeal, but also demonstrated exemplary supervisory and leadership skills to derive the same from all the unit personnel.

Under the competent guidance of Wg Cdr Lal, the unit has achieved commendable levels in task accomplishment, flight safety, maintenance and administrative aspects. Under his proficient leadership, the unit flew 4231 h of accident free flying. For timely and effective achievement of the given task and achievement of high operational state, the unit was awarded the 'Best Fighter Squadron' trophy in Eastern Air Command in Sep 2001. For the immaculate practices introduced by him and followed at the Daily Servicing Section (DSS), the unit was also recognised as a 'Centre of excellence'.

The all round excellence of the unit under supervision of Wg Cdr Lal was validated during the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI) visit in Jan 2001. The Unit was assessed as high average in Op (Air), average plus on ground, high average in maintenance aspects, average plus in administration and average plus in activation. He also ensured that very high standards of training are achieved in the Unit. Despite the pressure of the appointment, he has flown 762 sorties/445 h during his tenure.

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

Wing Commander Awadesh Kumar Bharti (18781) F (P) was commissioned in the Flying Branch on 13 Jun 87. In 20 years of distinguished service, the officer has crossed several important milestones. He is a Fighter Combat Leader and a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College. He was the Flight Commander of a Sukhoi-30MK Sqn. He has also held a staff appointment as the Joint Director of Air Defence operations at Air HQ. The officer has been awarded 'Three Stars' for accident free flying (superlative performance). He was also commended by the CAS in 1997 for dedication to duty.

Wg Cdr AK Bharti was appointed as the CO of a Sukhoi-30 MKI Sqn on 16 Aug 05. The Sukhoi-30 MKI Phase III aircraft have been inducted recently and he had the onerous responsibility of making the various weapon systems operational and evolving tactics for the same. In spite of numerous teething troubles that are bound to engulf a nascent fleet, by his effective leadership and innovative approach, he made the weapon systems operational in the shortest possible time frame. Tactics were also evolved to extract the maximum from this very versatile aircraft. Under his leadership, the Sqn successfully participated in an Air Force level exercise called Gagan Shakti and helped prove the evolving concept of 'Air Dominance Force'. The Sqn also won accolades after exercising with the Royal Air Force of United Kingdom during ExerciseIndradhanush 2006 and, with the French Air Force during Exercise-Garuda 2007.

The Sqn was inspected by the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection in Nov 06. The Sqn was assessed in a multitude of missions that the aircraft was capable of. In many of the crucial missions, the Sqn was assessed 'Above Average' and also 'Exceptional'. The Sqn achieved an overall grading of 'Average Plus'. All this was possible because of Wg Cdr Bharati's very high standards of professionalism and his able and dynamic leadership.

For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Awadesh Kumar Bharti.

Squadron Leader Prabhakar Baburao Magdum was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in June, 1962. He served as an engineering officer of a Fighter Squadron before and during the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971.

He established a sound technical organisation in the Squadron for first and second line servicing. His exceptional qualities of leadership which inspired his men to maintain a very high rate of aircraft serviceability which was never less than 92% during the operations. This high rate of serviceability enabled the Squadron to fly over 300 sorties during the short period of operations.

Squadron Leader Prabhakar Baburao Magdum displayed dedication to duty, exemplary leadership, professional skill and distinguished service of a high order in the best tradition of the Indian Air Force. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Man Mohan Sehgal (8390) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force on 18 Apr 64. An above average fighter pilot, he is a fighter combat leader and Graduate of Defence Services Staff College. Wg Cdr MM Sehgal selected to command a MiG Squadron which was performing the role of operational Training Unit. Under his able leadership, the squadron was able to bag the following distinctions during the past year: a. Supersonic squadron of the year in the IAF. b. Best categorized supersonic squadron in the IAF. c. Eastern Air Command Gunnery Meet Championship. d. Champion in all the games in the inter-unit sports championship at the Air Force Station.

The sense of duty and professional competence of the officer had a lot to do with the squadron's winning the above laurels. For the distinguished service that he has rendered in the past year, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr MM Sehgal.