On 9th November 1966, at about 1030 hours, an operational fighter trainer aircraft with two pilots on board crashed while making an emergency landing at one of the forward airfields. Corporal Sukumar Ghosh was working in the dispersal area at that time rushed towards the aircraft. When he reached the scene, the fire had already started to spread. Unmindful of his personal safety, he first rescued the injured pilot in the burning rear cockpit. He then went forward to the front cockpit, and with the assistance of another airman, successfully unstrapped the injured and semi unconscious pilot and carried him out of the cockpit. He then went back to the front cockpit to salvage the parachutes out of the burning wreckage. By this time the rear cockpit was fully engulfed by flames. Despite this, he entered the front cockpit for the second time to salvage the parachutes. It is only when he was ordered by his officers present on the spot to desist from making further efforts that he gave up the attempt most reluctantly

Throughout, Corporal Sukumar Ghosh displayed exemplary courage and initiative.

On 9 Nov 66, Cpl Ghosh observed a MiG-21 U fighter-trainer crash and catch fire on the runway of the airfield. he immediately ran to the scene and rescued the injured pilot from the rear seat unmindful of his own safety. Then he carried the pilot from the front seat in an injured and semi conscious state to a place of safety. Both the pilots recovered safely later on.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Sukrutraj Jayandra was serving with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron in the Eastern Sector. While escorting a formation of four aircraft proceeding of Tezgaon airfield Flight Lieutenant Jayandra was number two in a formation of two aircraft. The formation was attacked by F-86 Sabre aircraft and Flight Lieutenant Jayandra engaged one of the enemy Sabre aircraft in a combat. During the combat Flight Sukrutraj Jayandra outmaneuvered the enemy aircraft and shot it down.

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

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Hemant Sharat Kumar Sardesai was serving with a Fighter Squadron. From 3rd December to 16th December 1971, he flew 11 sorties of counter air missions, 8 sorties of offensive air support missions and 3 sorties of air defensive missions. In one of the offensive support missions, he was responsible for locating and later directing an attack at well-camouflaged enemy headquarters bunkers between Rajinderganj and Mahenderganj which resulted in the capture of the enemy Headquarters and about 160 enemy personnel. In counter air operations, his contribution was unique. On 6th December, 1971, he was in the first bomb strike mission of the Squadron over Tezgaon Airfield, rendering it inoperative. On the night of 12th December 1971, he attacked a ghost Airfield at Narsingdi and followed the attack by day Bombing and rendered the airfield unusable. He was also in the formation that struck a vital military target in Dacca on the 14th December, 1971. He was also in the first formation that stricke enemy troop concentrations in Dacca University, which accelerated the surrender of Pakistani forces in Bangla Desh.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Hemant Sharat Kumar Sardesai displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Robert Arnold Weir has commanded Fighter Squadrons of the Air Force for nearly eight years. Through his efforts, young pilots have learnt to fly supersonic aircraft on most complex missions. In 1969, his Squadron had the lowest accident rate of all fighter Squadrons of the Air Force. Due to his excellent leadership, his Squadron maintained a high state of operational readiness at all times. Wing Commander Weir is a qualified Flying Instructor, has a Master Green Instrument Rating and has flown over 3,000 hours on single­engined aircraft.

Throughout, Wing Commander Robert Arnold Weir displayed professional skill and devotion to duty

Squadron Leader Lawrence Menezes was a Flight Commander in a supersonic fighter Squadron from April 1967 to June 1970. He carried out a total of over 2,100 hours of flying on jets, of which over 500 hours were on supersonic fighter aircraft. He is one of the experienced supersonic fighter pilots who has played an outstanding part in training younger pilots to a high degree of professional efficiency. He has achieved a Master Green Instrument rating. As the Pilot Attack Instructor of his Squadron, he has been instrumental in the achievement of high standards of gunnery by the pilots.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Lawrence Menezes displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Keith David Kingsley Lewis has been a Flight Commander in a fighter squadron for over three years. He has carried out a total of over 2,100 hours of flying on jet aircraft of which nearly 450 hours fire on supersonics. He has had an accidentfree record. He has achieved a Master Green instrument rating and has also been awarded the Instrument Rating Instructor's endorsement. He has had the onerous task of training and familiarising pilots of his unit in flying in all-weather conditions. Inspired by his example, the officers and airmen under him have worked cheerfully to maintain the Squadron at a high state of operational readiness.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Keith David Kingsley Lewis displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty,

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Pradip Kantilal Gandhi was serving with a Fighter Squadron. He flew 11 sorties of offensive Air Support missions, 6 sorties of counter Air Operations and 3 sorties of Air Defence missions. Out of these he led 9 missions. In offensive support missions, he carried out four strikes at Brigade Headquarters at Jamalpur, of which two were led by him. He carried out bombing attacks on Lai-Mai Army position and destroyed four bunkers. In counter Air operations, he carried out 3 sorties of day and 2 sorties of night bombing over Tezgaon and Kurmitola airfields which were heavily defended by Anti-aircraft artillery. He was the first person to carry out night bombing sorties in the type of fighter aircraft he was flying. He carried out two strikes on the troop concentrations in Dacca and destroyed the target despite heavy ground fire.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Pradip Kantilal Gandhi displayed courage, leadership, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Karan Singh Chhina has been commanding a fighter squadron since 06 Jul 87.

On 20 Feb 89, he was authorized to fly a handling/aerobatic sortie. This aircraft had come out after snag rectification of the cone system.

While lowering the undercarriage on downwind for a landing, he noticed that though the main wheel indications were showing green, there was no light indication of the nose wheel. Wg Cdr Chhina decided to fly past the Air Traffic Control (ATC) and get his undercarriage position confirmed visually. The ATC confirmed that the main wheels were down but the nose wheel was flushed up.

Disregarding all dangers to himself, Wg Cdr Chhina decided to put the aircraft with nose wheels up and landed the aircraft with the nose wheel up. This action on part of Wg Cdr Chhina was beyond the call of duty.

For his exemplary courage and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Karan Singh Chhina.

Group Captain S Mani, VSM was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 22 Dec 73. An experienced Qualified Flying Instructor, he has over 3600 hours of accident free flying. He was awarded VSM in Jan 1993 and was appointed Commanding Officer of a MiG 21 Squadron in Sep 94.

He led his team from up front and motivated the Squadron personnel to excel in their duties. He personally led the Squadron in a Fire Power Demonstration at Pokhran, a 6 Aircraft Fly Past for President's Standard Presentation at Jodhpur and all the exercises and numerous detachments to other stations. Inspite of extreme climatic conditions at Uttarlai and the Squadron Maintenance Flight being located at Jodhpur, he not only sustained the tempo of fighter flying training but also enhanced it. The Squadron flew over 6000 sorties amounting to 3750 hours during his tenure, which was far higher than ever flown before. Eight pilots were declared fully operational and many others were trained for both day and night flying so as to enhance the operational status of the Squadron. The Unit was inspected by Directorate of Air Staff Inspection and assessed as high average. Considering that the Squadron had to operate from different bases these achievements are noteworthy.

Gp Capt S Mani showed unique determination, steadfastness, physical and mental endurance and flew over 400 hours while in command of the Sqn.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Group Captain Shankar Mani.