Group Captain Satish Kumar Sofat was commissioned on 20 Dec 69 as a fighter pilot. He has held the appointment of Flight Commander of a Jaguar Squadron, Commanding Officer (CO) of a Jaguar Squadron and staff officer in Operations Branch at HQ Western Air Command. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and Higher Air Command Course.

Group Captain SK Sofat was appointed CO of Air Force Station, Awantipur in J&K on 18 Oct 93. Immediately on taking over, he was given the challenge of increasing the activation of the base with Fighter Squadron detachments from two to 10 in a year. The security problems were studied by him and the security organisation was restructured to meet the task. He ensured that 10 separate Fighter Squadron detachments were able to operate from his base per year. Thus, the task given to the base was achieved without any extra cost. In addition to increasing the operation potential of the base, he also undertook additional tasks of repair and modifications in airfield lighting system, communication facilities and electrical support systems. All these tasks were achieved without any addition in manpower or other resources.

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

Gp Capt Swaran Singh Banga has been commanding an Air Force Station since 28 Nov 88. During his tenure as Station Commander, the officer showed high leadership qualities resulting in significant enhancement in the operational potential of this base.

Being a Forward Base Support Unit, it has been planned to have limited manpower and material resources commensurate with its envisaged tasks. However, due to overall shortages in the Air Force, the station suffered further cuts in its manpower placing its already meagre resources under considerable strain.

This base is one of the most important forward air fields of WAC. Due to the prevailing Indo-Pak tension over the last 7-8 months, the base has had to be activated operationally a number of times. Detachments of various types of aircraft have operated from this base on a number of occasions. Despite the serious constraints, Gp Capt Banga had harnessed the resources placed under his command admirably well and provided support of a very high order, thereby contributing to the operational preparedness of the IAF. His management and re-organisation of resources to strengthen, the defences of his base against internal security threats have been most effective and praiseworthy.

For the outstanding leadership qualities displayed by him, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt SS Banga.