Wing Commander Suresh Sitaram Sane has a total of 4,765 hours of flying to his credit, of which a large number has been flown on operational sorties in the Eastern Sector. In January 1969, he assumed Command of a transport squadron and set out to improve its already high operational potential. This he succeeded in doing with a short period of time. By his efforts, a large number of aircrew also obtained their transport categories. Noteworthy amongst his achievements is the recovery of a damaged aircraft from an advanced landing ground where it had met with on accident. In the absence of adequate maintenance facilities at the Advance Landing Ground, the aircraft was only partially repaired but Wing Commander Sane flew it out successfully.

Throughout, Wing Commander Suresh Sita Ram Sane displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Rudra Krishna Bishnoi was serving with a Transport Squadron in the Eastern Sector. On the 10th December, 1971, he was detailed to undertake a supply dropping mission in support of our forward troops at Sylhet, he took off with full load of ammunition and on arriving over the target faced heavy ground fire. In spite of intense firing from the ground he continued his drop run and delivered the urgently required ammunition to the troops. During the process of drop, his port fuel tank was hit by ground fire in three places and fuel was streaming out and the engine was spluttering. He controlled the crippled aircraft, feathered the engine and carried out a safe single engine landing at a forward base. This emergency drop enabled our troops to overcome the enemy opposition and gain vital advantage. On previous night, he had undertaken three bombing missions in an unarmed transport aircraft over enemy airfields.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Rudra Krishna Bishnoi displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty

Warrant Officer Chandra Gopal Shukla Flight Engineer has rendered 26 years of distinguished service and is an asset to the Indian Air Force. He is a highly motivated flier and has always performed his duties as an aviator with great professional zeal, enthusiasm and fervour.

As a Flight Engineer Warrant Officer Shukla has many a firsts to his credit. In the year 1970, when he crossed 1000 hours of operational flying on Caribou aircraft, he was the first Flt Engr to achieve this coveted figure on Caribou in the Eastern theatre. To date, he is the first and only Flt Engr in the Indian Air Force who has the distinction of flying 2000 operational hours on Caribou aircraft in the Eastern sector. In addition he has 1000 operational hours in the Rajasthan sector on Mi­4 helicopters. His tally of 750 hours of flying on Caribou during the year 1981 was a record in itself. He has thus 3000 operational hours to his credit. His airmanship and professional competence are par excellence. He is always cool and confident in the air. His sense of duty and complete respect for discipline are worthy of emulation by his subordinates. His diligence, hard work and sound professional approach have earned him admiration from his superiors.

For his willingness to be ever ready for flying, devotion to duty and the record amount of operational flying, the President is pleased to award VAYU SENA MEDAL to Warrant Officer Chandra Copal Shukla.

Wing Commander Dinesh Chander Bhardwaj (9545) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force in May 65. He is an experienced pilot with over 4,800 hrs of accident free flying. He holds the highest transport Category and Rating.

He was in Command of a transport squadron from Oct 83 to Dec 84. His Squadron equipped with aircraft which had been in service for over two decades. When he took over command, the aircraft were having several incidents and failures and the reliability was low. Wg Cdr Bhardwaj, in consultation with his Squadron Engineers, devised preventive maintenance which greatly improved the aircraft reliability. During his command of the Squadron met, and even exceeded, the allotted airmaintenance and flying tasks. He also took keen interest in the training of his officers. It is because of his efforts that over 85% of the crew in the Squadron are categorized and large number are holding above the average categories. This could be possible only by his close and active involvement, dedicated and sustained efforts, outstanding managerial and organizing ability and skill, professional capability of a high order and capacity to ensure great personal discomforts for the sake of service. He was able to infuse a high degree of enthusiasm and dedication in his officers and men.

For dedication to duty, high professional standards, and exemplary leadership, the President is pleased to award the Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Dinesh Chander Bhardwaj.