Group Captain Sudhir Asthana was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. He is a qualified flying instructor with an A-2 Category and was deputed to Govt. of Iraq in 1980 for instructional duties. He is a fighter combat leader of repute and has commanded a MiG-21 Squadron. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and has done a successful tenure in Directorate of Personnel (Officers) at Air HQ. Gp Capt Asthana has to his credit over 3200 hours of accident free flying.Gp Capt Sudhir Asthana took over as Chief Operation Officer of a major flying Wing in January 1993. The Wing has six flying units - all equipped with different types of aircraft and two Missile squadrons, each of them also with different equipment. Coordinating their activities, monitoring their training and planning and executing their integrated flying training is an enormous task. Inspite of limited resources, he ensured near perfect environment for flying which was conducive to good operational training. This was amply proven when Directorate of Air Staff Inspection inspected the Station where the standard of preparedness of Base Air Defence and Air Traffic Control were assessed as Above Average.

The base which is co-located with Command Headquarters has a large number of dignitaries and teams visiting the Station. Flying displays have to be organised at a very short notice involving participation of large number of aircraft of different types, missiles and radar units which require minute and fool proof co-ordination. He planned and coordinated these displays in such a fashion that highlighted the professional standard of IAF. His contribution in the field of flight safety have also been significant and has resulted in major reduction in number of accidents and incidents at the Station.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Gp Capt Sudhir Asthana.

Wing Commander Shashikumar Samuel Ramdas, (4930) was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the Indian Air Force in April, 1955. During the Indo-Pak Conflict of December, 1971, he served as the Chief Technical Officer of an operational wing in the Western Sector.

Wing Commander Ramdas was responsible for providing technical services not only to the Wing but also two Care and Maintenance Units in the forward areas. He performed all his duties with high technical skill, ingenuity and initiative and cheerfully met all the demands in the most efficient manner.

During the operations he ensured that all the damaged aircraft coming from forward air bases, were repaired and serviced in record time. He personally supervised the servicing and ensured quick turn around of the aircraft.

Wing Commander Shashikumar Samuel Ramdas displayed initative, technical skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force, and has rendered distinguished service of a high order. He is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing Commander Dasari Jaya Paul (8361) Dental was commissioned on 05 Mar 44 as General Duty Dental Officer. Even when young and relatively junior in service, the officer displayed exceptional professional skill and his consistent endeavour was to enhance the Dental coverage qualitatively and quantitatively. For his exemplary professional standards he was commended by AOC-in-C WAC in Jan 72.

Presently he is commanding a Dental Centre in the Western Sector. The officer, through his cheerful and pleasant disposition, keenness to maintain sound professional standards and dedication to his profession in the form of service to the maximum number of personnel and their families, has built up a very high professional reputation amongst all personnel and their families. He has developed a rare blend of dedication to the service and compassion and sympathy for patients upholding the ethics of Medical profession worth of emulation. Being the only Dental Officer for over 12,000 AF personnel and families, he is often called upon to attend to patients at odd hours. He undertakes this task most willingly.

Wing Commander Dasari Jaya Paul (8631) Dental, for his exceptional dedication to the service, professionalism of a very high order to maintain the ethos of the Air Force community, sustained hard, cheerful and pleasant disposition even under adverse conditions, initiative, enthusiasm and exemplary conduct and behavior and example worthy of emulation has rendered distinguished service of a high order. The President is pleased to award him the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Wing AF is a base where six different types of aircraft operate and hence Senior Engineers (ac) tasks are very demanding and challenging. His work focus and philosophy have provided for a safe maintenance environment that has bettered production from CR & SS to enable enhanced operational task. Under his guidance, the SWAC Comn Flt started its Check I servicing of AVRO aircraft in house whereas previously, this activity was undertaken at A F Stn Palam.

Wing Commander Newlay has designed and fabricated a Compressor Washing Rig facilitating periodic washing of Compressor blades of R-25 engine, which HAL is yet to provide.

In the month of Aug 96, an unserviceable and disused Spiros compressor was located at this base, which was made serviceable within three months.

Wing Commander S K Newlay has developed and fabricated a Micropod for SARPP film reading and is in use at 32 Wing, AF. He is also developing a test equipment for throttle packet flow check for the MIG-21 variant.

His very professional competence often renders him useful to HQ SWAC where he is often summoned to solve complex problems. On one such occasion, he was instrumental in saving three R-25 aeroengines from premature withdrawal saving the exchequer approximately Rs 20-25 lakhs. More importantly, he ensured availability of aeroengines, which are otherwise quite scarce, for operational use.

For distinguished service of exceptional order, the President is pleased to award "Vishisht Seva Medal" to Wing Commander S K Newlay.

Wing Commander Mahaveer Singh Shekhawat (17116) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned in the Engineering Branch of the IAF on 13 Feb 1983. He is a post graduate in Control Engineering from IIT Madras and alumnus of Defence Services Staff College. He has worked as Senior Engineering Officer of a fighter squadron, Senior Production Engineer at 4 BRD, Deputy Director for remote sensing project (DIPAC) and as Senior Engineer (Aircraft) at 32 Wing before taking over as Chief Engineering Officer of this base.

While discharging his duties as SE (AC), he accomplished Aircraft on Ground build up of 13 MiG-27 aircraft and maintained exceptional serviceability during 'Op Parakram'. He was instrumental in implem entation of EW modification of MiG-27 aircraft.

After taking over as CEO, he took up challenging task of setting up of second line servicing facilities for the BISON aircraft. The project was handled by him in most professional manner and the facilities were set up in record time. The existing infrastructure was upgraded to house the test equipment resulting in tremendous savings to the exchequer to the tune of a crore of rupees and the servicing of the aircraft commenced well ahead of schedule. These facilities are being referred to as a model for other upcoming projects. This was well appreciated by AOCin-C HQ WAC and the Maint Branch at Air HQs.

The station was inspected by DASI after a gap of five years. He planned and guided his team to bring about all round improvement which resulted in appreciation by the inspection agency. The Tech Flight was christened as centre of excellence. His total involvement in each activity at the station is praiseworthy. Some of the suggestions rendered by him during construction of a new BPI at base, have been instrumental in making this one of the finest BPIs of Indian Air Force.

He has put in extra effort to bring up all sections under him and kept his subordinates motivated. His involvement has resulted in excellence in all fields of the maintenance and contributed in safe flying environment at the base. During his tenure there was no aircraft accident which is an achievement of high order by itself.

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

Group Captain Pramod Shankarrao Shinde (14784) AE (M) was commissioned in the IAF on 03 Jan 77. During the past 29 years he has held various important field and staff appointments. Presently, he is Chief Engineering Officer (CEO) of Air Force Station Jodhpur since 03 Jun 04.

The officer has rich and varied experience of GW System, Helicopter and Fighter stream of the IAF. He has held many key appointments as SEO of a Fighter Squadron, SPE of MiG-23 overhaul in BRD, CEO of a MiG-21 base, Commanding Officer of a BRD and C Eng O A of HQ MC. The officer a qualified Cat 'A' Flight Engineer on Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters with 1250 flying hours and AF Examiner in AEB. He was the member of the prestigious VIII Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica in 1988-89.He has passed the Technical Staff Officers Course from IAT Pune with Directing Staff grading. He was commended twice by the CAS in 1982 and 2000 respectively and by AOC-in-C WAC in 1992.

During his tenure as CO of BRD, the depot achieved highest production ever and indigenised large number of critical items, thus achieving huge savings in foreign exchange. The depot was adjudged the Best Mini BRD for the year 2000-01 and was granted ISO-9002 certification under his dynamic leadership. The officer is presently posted as CEO of premier fighter Wing and due to his professional excellence has left an indelible mark on every field of technologists' activities of the Wing. The officer inducted upgraded MiG-21 Bison aircraft and set up Bison Tech Flight with a modern avionics lab at the wing. During his tenure as CEO he improved the serviceability and condition of Common user and Specialist vehicles. During annual Command MT inspection in 2004-05 the highest assessment during previous 6 years was achieved. The Wing was also assessed as Best Fighter Station for the year 2004-05, under HQ SWAC.

MiG-27 Squadron at the base has been designated as first MiG-27 Squadron to be upgraded with modern avionics systems. The officer with his meticulous planning, professional excellence and organizational skills has completed training of air warriors on DGM and LRMTS with proper co-ordination with OEM and successfully commissioned the testers. His valuable suggestions for the work services and judicious utilisation of existing labs for installation of I level testers for MiG27 Upgrade has earned savings of approx. Rs. 3 crores. The station has achieved approx 15000 hours of flying during his tenure without any accident and NIL incident due to Human Error (Ground Crew). Under his guidance and tutelage the base has done many innovations like fabrication of tester for HF set and Radio Compass ARK-UD for MI-17, tester for R-864 HF set, tester for KOMAR-2M emergency radio set of MiG-21/27 etc. The innovations were especially praised by the CAS during his visit to base on 24 Dec 05.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Pramod Shankarrao Shinde.

Group Captain Gedela Raveendranath (16985) F (P) was commissioned in 1AF as a fighter pilot in Dec 82. He is a qualified flying instructor, an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and Naval Higher Command Course. During 23 years of service, he has flown over 3800 hrs on various fighter and trainer ac. He was awarded commendation by Chief of the Air Staff and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command for devotion to duty and exemplary service in the years 2001 and 1999 respectively. He commanded a MiG-23 Squadron and has been serving as the Chief Operations Officer of Air Force Station Jodhpur since 06 Sep 04.

Jodhpur is one of the busiest airfields of the Indian Air Force with five flying and three Ground Based Air Defence units permanently based and one to two additional units on detachment. The average flying undertaken in a year by units from the airfield is in excess of 6500 hrs and the air traffic support services remain operational for 18 hours a day to cater to military and civil flights. The officer, owing to his inspiring leadership and keen foresight, was able to ensure safe and smooth conduct of all flying related activities during this period. He was also the Chief co-coordinator for a series of Command and sector level exercises including Army-AF cooperation exercises. He meticulously planned and coordinated these exercises which demanded long working hours and intense work load during the conduct. All detachments at base and flying activity by the units based at Air Force Station Jodhpur were accorded similar professional involvement to ensure that all objectives were achieved. His contribution to the cause of flight safety was immense in ensuring practically nil environment and support related incidents and accidents during his period.

Being the largest Air Force Station of the IAF with a large number of lodger units, foresight and vision were essential in the planning of various work services for modernisation and upgradation of operational assets. The officer efficiently tackled the mammoth task of identifying the key areas and ensuring successful completion of the upgrade. Through his experience, knowledge, leadership and hard work, he provided a very motivating, inter-disciplinary influence on operational, maintenance and administrative environment of the Station and was instrumental in the station winning the best in Operations in South Western Air Command in the year 2004.

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

Group Captain Anoop Kumar Ghosh (15965) AE (M) was commissioned in as Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) in Technical Branch on 07 Jan 1980. He is presently posted at Air Force Station Jodhpur wef 16 Oct 06 and is the Chief Engineering Officer of the base since then. He is a highly qualified officer, with nine years of experience on Chetak/Cheetah heptr inclu ding raising of Army Aviation Corp and fourteen years of experience on Mirage 2000 ac which includes '0' level, setting up of 'D' level at various divisions of HAL, procurement of ten additional Mirage-2000. He is a Post Graduate in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in Air Armament Technology which has broadened his horizons and honed his engineering acumen. He has the distinction of serving for three years in the most sensitive and prestigious Air Project Management Organisation (APMO) cell in the MoD, during which, far reaching decisions were taken to maintain the technological and numerical edge in terms of new acquisitions. He also undertook the onerous position of Director Armament and Safety Equipment at Air HQs. His quest for perfection and for methodical approach to problem solving saw him provide impetus to the fading knowledge level of Air Armament by conduct of Command level Workshop, creating documents like Quality Assurance Service (QAS) instructions, compendium of Escape Aid Explosive (EAX) and Power Cartridges, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) manual and revising the TSI Vol V. This speaks of the dedication and involvement of the officer.

As the CEO of the base, he has marshaled his experience and knowledge and has brought about visible changes in the work ethos and culture. His problem solving/ analytical ability has always led to the micro level fault detection. He, despite being a mechanical engineer has directed rectification on the Radio and Nav aids and brought about a change in its quality of availability. He is highly focused and goal oriented, as a result, three fighters and two heptrs have been built up and made fly worthy within a span of five months. He has also brought in the change of hearts and minds of all personnel where in the armament activities and maintenance activity on the ac underwent a transformation. He is true mirror, which facilitates a detailed and thorough introspection for one and all.

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

Group Captain Richard John Duckworth (17136) F (P) was commissioned in as a Pilot in Flying Branch on 28 May 83. He is presently posted at AF Stn Jodhpur wef 03 Jul 06 as Chief Operations Officer (COO). He has been a Flt Cdr and CO of a Fighter Squadron, Station Flight Safety Officer of a major fighter air base and has held staff appointments as Joint Director and Director in Air HQ and Strategic Forces Command. The Officer has completed the 'All Purpose Flying Instructors' Course' in 1989 and is an alumnus of DSSC Wellington. He has over 3000 h of flying on various aircraft including MiG-21, MiG-29, Kiran and HPT-32.

Being the COO of the largest operational base in the country with five flying Sqns is a big responsibility and Gp Capt Duckworth has shouldered it with sincerity and dedication. Interspersed with flying are a plethora of commitments that include major exercises, trials, detachments and EW capsules. He has meticulously planned and ensured successful completion of all activities where in a large number of squadrons operated from base. His alertness to Flight Safety has ensured that this base has flown considerable amount of sorties of accident free flying with nil FOD and only one bird hit.

It is due to his involvement and sustained efforts that the Bison and MiG-27 Squadrons at base have increased their overall flying by over 20%. The increase in flying and improvement in Op environment has been a major factor that resulted in the station winning all three team event Gunnery trophies during the EX Eklavya 07. He tirelessly interacted with the AAI to complete extensive works on the manoeuvring areas to facilitate first time Airbus operations at Jodhpur. All this work was supervised and did not interfere at all with normal fighter operations. During the floods in Rajasthan and Gujarat in Aug-Sep 2006 large scale flood relief operations were well coordinated which saved life, money and won accolades from both Rajasthan and Gujarat Government. He also involved himself totally to ensure successful Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at Ahmedabad in Nov 06 as well as the successful completion of Surya Kiran, Akash Ganga, Sarang team and Big Boy Republic Day air shows in Jan 07. All these performances were well coordinated and won applause from the public greatly enhancing the image of the Air Force. For his distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Richard John Duckworth.