Squadron Leader Kenneth Merals David (1836) GD(P) flew well over 100 hours in the Jammu and Kashmir Operations and throughout displayed supreme courage by attacking enemy targets with utter disregard for his personal safety. He carried out may attacks over Kishenganga Bridge which was heavily guarded by the enemy. By his good flying and precision bombing he damaged the bridge more than once, thus temporarily paralyzing the enemy supply lines.He led his Squadron at every possible opportunity and set a good example to the Pilots of his Squadron.

For the valuable services rendered by him during the Jammu and Kashmir Operations, he was awarded the Vir Chakra.

Flight Lieutenant (Now Wing Commander) Michael Patrick Owen Blake (2630) set a high standard of flying in Jammu and Kashmir Operations as a Flight Commander. Being the first to volunteer for operations in Kashmir, he led the first attack in SKARDU area, flying over difficult and dangerous country.

The officer rendered valuable service in the defence of Poonch. He during critical days in Poonch, gave support to our besieged garrison there and was often responsible for neutralizing enemy strongholds in that vicinity. In almost all of these attacks, he achieved results by pressing home the attacks on the enemy at great personal risks. By his fine example he inspired confidence in other pilots of the Squadron.

For his outstanding leadership as a Flight Commander in Jammu and Kashmir Operations, he has been awarded the Vir Chakra.

The late Flight Lieutenant ALOYSIUS WILLIAM BARRETTE (3172) flew 80 Operational hours with in a short period of two months during the JAMMU and KASHMIR Operations. Tlthough he was hurt on several occasions he carred on cheerfully and showed exceptional courage and high sense of duty. Whilst attacking enemy positions near Poonch, he was injured but immediately after recovery he resumed operational flying.

Again over the MENDAR Valley, he was hit in th face by a shrapnel from the enemy Anti-Aircraft Fire while going into attack. Although he was bleeding profusely, he pressed home the attack with determination and destroyed the enemy post. His love for Operational flying was a source of inspiration ot the other pilots of his Squadron.

For the distinguished service rendered by him during the JAMMU and KASHMIR Operations, he has been awarded the Vir Chakra.

During his operational tour, this officer was shot down twice. On the first occasion, he successfully forced landed in Pooch.

He came back to the Squadron and carried on undaunted. He was again shot down over Tithwal and by his cool courage and resource walked out of “NO MAN’S LAND” after being heavily shelled. He continued to carry out his normal flying duties, undeterred by previous mishaps, thereby setting an outstanding example in high morale to the rest of the unit.

This officer has shown commendable devotion to duty. This determination and courage in carrying on with operational flying after being shot down twice and walking back to our lines on one of these occasions under enemy shell fire set a fine example to all others to follow.

During the recent operations against Pakistan, Squadron Leader Madhukar Shantaram Jatar was the Flight Commander in an operational Squadron which carried out 14 operational sorties. On the 7th September 1965, he led a formation of eight Mysteres on a ground strike mission on Bhagranwala airfield. The raid had to be carried out at a low altitude when visibility was poor. Squadron Leader Jatar inspired is men with courage and tenacity of purpose and the attack on the airfield was pressed home resolutely. As a result one enemy Sabre Jet was destroyed and another damaged. After carrying out the mission successfully, Squadron Leader Jatar brought his formation of eight aircraft safely back to the base.

In this operation, Squadron Leader Madhukar Shantaram Jatar displayed leadership, devotion to duty and professional skill of a high order in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

During the recent operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Pramod Chandra Chopra carried out 14 operational missions and displayed commendable enthusiasm in hunting for the enemy in the sky.

On 11th September, 1965, Flight Lieutenant Chopra flew as No. 3 in a four aircraft formation of Mystere on a ground attack strike mission. The formation encountered heavy and concentrated enemy ground fire. Defying the barrage of antiaircraft fire, Flight Lieutenant Pramod Chandra Chopra pressed home his attack and destroyed two enemy tanks in addition to several gun emplacements and vehicles.

His courage and determination, which inspired other pilots, were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

During the operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Vinod Patney was serving in an Operational Squadron in a forward area. He flew 16 operational sorties within the short period.

On 13th September, 1965, he took part in a ground attack mission in the Kasur-Khem Karan Sector and flew as No. 3 in a four aircraft formation. During the attack, the formation met with heavy and determined ground fire from the enemy guns. One of our aircraft was shot down. Undeterred and undaunted by this, Flight Lieutenant Patney pressed home five effective attacks on different enemy targets and destroying 3 Patton tanks. The courage and initiative displayed by Flight Lieutenant Vinod Patney were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

During the operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Vinod Kumar Bhatia was serving in an Operational Squadron in the Lahore Sector. He flew 18 operational sorties in that Sector. On 8th September, 1965, Flight Lieutenant Bhatia flew as No. 2 in a formation of four Mystere aircraft on a ground attack strike mission. In the face of very heavy and concentrated enemy fire, Flight Lieutenant Bhatia, totally unmindful of the danger, to which he was exposed, pressed home repeated attacks on the enemy tanks and gun positions and destroyed two tanks.

The courage and determination displayed by Flight Lieutenant Vinod Kumar Bhatia were in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Wing Commander Madhukar Shantaram Jatar was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in November, 1954. He has been commanding a front line strike Squadron since March, 1972. His devotion to work has led to successful accomplishment of all tasks assigned to him well in time under difficult and trying conditions. A flier of exceptional merit, Wing Commander Jatar stands out as an officer worthy of emulation, who brought to bear his experience in all his work which has led to high operational efficiency of the squadron.

Throughout, Wing Commander Madhukar Shantaram Jatar displayed courage, professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Vasudevan Vatsalan Nair is the Commanding Officer of a frontline Fighter Squadron.

Wing Commander Nair has always displayed leadership of high order, organizational ability, ingenuity, dedication and devotion to duty. Under his able leadership and guidance the Squadron won many laurels bringing repute to the Wing and to the Command. Under his command, the Squadron maintained a safe environment, carried out 5481 hours of accident-free flying notwithstanding severe and unpredictable weather conditions and extended working hours. In the very first year of his command, the Squadron was rated the Best Categorised Squadron (Supersonics) and won the IAF Instrument Rating Trophy. With his guidance in 1983-84, the Squadron won the prestigious and coveted IAF Flight Safety Trophy for being the Best Supersonic Squadron of the Year. These commendable achievements are attributable to ingenuity, hard work, dedication and exemplary leadership of Wg Cdr Nair.

The success of the ceremony of Colour Presentation to the Squadron on 05 Mar 84 was the result of Wg Cdr Nair's administrative excellence, his meticulous planning, hard work and personal involvement coupled with organizational ability under trying circumstances.

A fighter pilot to the core, Wg Cdr Nair has to his credit 2670 hours of supersonic jet flying.

For his outstanding leadership, unflagging zeal, absolute devotion to duty, unflinching loyalty and professionalism, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wing Commander Vasudevan Vatsalan Nair.

Squadron Leader Chandan Sharda (21026) Flying (Pilot) was authorised to fly an air test sortie on 04 Aug 98 on fighter aircraft. During the descent from 11 Km at 6.5 Km he experienced a loud bang and ducked down instinctively. Soon he realised that the right side upper bubble of the canopy had shattered and he had been hit by a chunk on Perspex on his head. He quickly throttled back to idling rpm and descended to 2 Km with airbrakes out, simultaneously dropping speed to 400 Km/h IAS. During the descent he realised that his visor had broken free, there was blood on his shoulder and blood splattered on the rear view mirror which had also been shattered. He had suffered deep cuts on his cheek and forehead and the bleeding was obscuring his vision. Due to the high noise level in the cockpit, R/T was ineffective, necessitating a U/S R/T recovery. To obviate further injury from loose corners of the shattered canopy he attempted to jettison it, which failed to lift free from the railing. During the base leg turn the canopy finally lifted free and a safe landing was made.

Squadron Leader C Sharda has displayed a high degree of courage and acted gallantly with a composed frame of mind even in an injured state, thereby saving a valuable aircraft.

For devotion to duty in recovering the aircraft in a difficult situation, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Squadron Leader Chandan Sharda.