On 4th December 1971, Flying Officer Harish Masand was No. 3 in a 3 aircraft strike mission for attacking an enemy airfield. Just short of the target the formation was intercepted by two Pakistan Air Force Sabre aircraft. In the ensuing dogfight, he shot down one Sabre aircraft. He also undertook a number of Fighter Reconnaissance missions in the enemy territory and completed the tasks assigned to him.

Throughout, Flying Officer Harish Masand displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Kuldip Singh Bajwa was serving with an operational Squadron in the Eastern Sector. On the 4th December, 1971, he was No. 4 of the formation which attacked a heavily defended airfield. Short of the target, he was the first pilot who noticed that his formation had been attacked by three Sabres. He immediately took appropriate steps and saved the threatened aircraft. In a subsequent strike on Tejgaon on the same day where he was No. 2 in a two aircraft formation, he found his leader being attacked by a Sabre. He again exercised effective control and informed his leader to execute a timely Break. At this stage he was fired upon by the enemy. His aircraft was damaged and it went out of control close to the Ground. Rather than abandoning the aircraft over enemy territory he brought his aircraft under control, a few feet off the ground and decided to make an attempt to take the aircraft to base. He flew the damaged aircraft over a distance of 150 nautical miles and landed it safely at the base. Subsequently, he executed several highly effective missions in the face of heavy ground fire. He attacked and damaged a number of enemy ammunition dumps, many gun positions, tanks, ferry boats, trains, bunkers, buildings and effectively straffed enemy concentration areas.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Kuldip Singh Bajwa displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Chandra Nath Ghosh (10124) Flying (Pilot) has been on the posted strength of a front line fighter Squadron since 03 Jul 78. During this period, he exemplified himself by his outstanding performance in flying and training of pilots in the Squadron. A pilot with above average flying cability, Sqn Ldr Ghosh won the individual championship in Rocket Firing during the Western Air Command Gunnery Meet in Mar 81. Squadron Leader Ghosh in his capacity as a Flight Commander was mainly responsible for updating the squadron operational status by successfully completing the Operational Training syllabus for 8 operationa pilots and 2 Operational Day pilots in just one year (1981-82).

During the period under consideration, Sqn Ldr Ghosh has flown a total of 1410:00 hours/2115 sorties on S-22 and MiG-21 (MF &M) aircraft. This is an exceptiona feat, considering the fact that in the same period, the officer has undergone some major service courses like staff college, FCL, Photo Interpreters Course. He has also done ground tenure as DS in Air Force Intelligence School at Poona.

Squadron Leader Ghosh is an officer with very high integrity and moral fortitude, who does not get dettered by the task assigned to him. Sqn Ldr Ghosh is truly an example of hard work and dedication who at every step inspires and motivates those placed around and below him.

For his excellent professional performance, hardwork, motivation, unflinching loyalty and integrity, the President is please to award VAYU SEVA MEDAL to Squadron Leader Chandra Nath Ghosh.