During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Anadi Shankar Sarkar was serving as Chief Technical Officer at an Operational Wing. With his personal example, man management, he ensured a very high rate of serviceability of air craft inspite of staggering number of sorties flown and the damage caused to the aircraft by enemy action. He was responsible for the expeditious repair of five aircraft which were unserviceable. Under his supervision and guidance, a very high rate of serviceability of specialist vehicles was ensured resulting in quick turn around of the aircraft. He had so geared up the station workshop that it manufactured certain items which were earlier considered beyond local capability.

Throughout Wing Commander Anadi Shankar Sarkar displayed initiative, professional knowledge and devotion to duty.

Group Captain Inder Singh (14082) Flying (Pilot) has been functioning as the Chief Operations Officer of an Air Force Base in the western sector since 12 Apr 99. Within a few weeks of taking over this appointment the Base was faced with a war like situation with Operation Safed Sagar. Apart from ensuring speedy launch of the local fighter squadrons to their Op locations he personally supervised the induction of over forty fighter aircraft of four different types. The Herculean task of loading and offloading men was handled under his supervision in an exemplary manner. With little regard to personal comfort he relentlessly ensured that the task on hand was completely expeditiously.

On taking over as Chief Ops Officer, Gp Capt Inder Singh voluntarily took up the task of office computerisation and automation on war footing. With his knowledge and experience he motivated and guided his subordinates to achieve a systemic IT network within 'operations' that included daily flying programme, weather forecasts, e-mail and web sites among others.

Both, on and off work, with his energetic attitude and management skills, Gp Capt Inder Singh has cohesively bonded officers of all branches working under him to achieve synergetic results.

For his devotion to duty, dedication to service and consistent results, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Group Captain Inder Singh.

Flying officer Ved Prakash Mehta has been posted as the Station Adjutant at an Air Force Wing in Punjab since January, 1964. During the recent operations against Pakistan, the administrative work load increased many times owing to rapid influx into this Station of army troops, Punjab Armed Police, Punjab Police, Central Reserve Police and additional

Air Force personnel. Fg. Offr. Mehta, by his excellent organizing ability and high degree of professional knowledge and exceptional devotion to duty carried out his task most efficiently. Inspired by his personal example, his staff, at times at very odd hours and under the threat of enemy bombing, worked cheerfully as well knit team. Despite heavy influx of troops into the airfield and recurring visits of Very Important Persons and Staff Officers from higher formations, Fg Offr Mehta catered for their requirements adequately.

This officer always stood by the side of the Station Commander and executed his orders smoothly and efficiently. At times this officer, with complete disregard to his personal safety, carried out rescue work also. On the night of 9th September, 1965 during air raids, he, with the assistance of army personnel, removed a number of causalities from the debris and caved-in-trenches caused by enemy bombing and rushed them to the Station Sick Quarters. Again on the night of 13th September, 1965, under a RED WARNING and with enemy aircraft strafing, he with the assistance of airmen, removed a number of casualties from the debris near the Equipment Section and rushed them to the Station Sick quarters. On 14th September, 1965, under orders from the Station Commander, he promptly organised a rescue party and rushed to Daulatpur, a place at a distance of about 50 miles from Adampur, where one of the Air force helicopters had force landed. He reached the spot at 2215 hours and after ensuring that the crew and the aircraft were safe, returned to the base at 0145 hours the same night.

Throughout the operations he displayed praiseworthy qualities of leadership, a high standard of professional knowledge and an untiring zeal for work.

Wing Commander Har Mohan Singh Chatwal during Indo-Pak war of 1971 planned the working of airfield services in an exemplary manner and ensured the smooth launching and recovery of aircraft. He also effectively coordinated and controlled defensive measures in the air and on ground. Awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for excellent coordination and distinguished service of a high order.

Gp Capt KB Kurup has been Chief Engineering Officer of a Wing since Sep 88. He is an outstanding Tech Officer with a brilliant academic and professional record. With his rich and varied experience, he has been able to revamp the Maint Organisation at the base. As a result, the serviceability of MiG-21 and MiG-23 Sqns at the base showed significant improvement.

By setting personal example of dedication and hard work, Gp Capt Kurup could galvanise his subordinates into a motivated and result-oriented team. During his tenure as C Eng O, the Wing bagged WAC Trophy for Best MT in 1989 and Best Wing in Maintenance in 1990 and a Sqn was adjudged Best Fighter Sqn in WAC in 1991. His foresight and planning skills resulted in smooth induction of MiG-29 ac at the base in Apr 90.

Gp Capt Kurup, with his keen initiative, single-handedly designed, developed and installed a maintenance information package which processes data not only for the field managers but also generates periodic returns for higher formations.

For his outstanding achievements and total dedication to Air Force, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt KB Kurup.

Group Captain Aravinda Agrawal was commissioned as an engineer in the Engineering branch on 01 January 1968. He has been associated with aircraft maintenance since his commission. He has been posted as the Senior Test Engineer of Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment and at Air HQ in the Mirage Induction Cell.

Gp Capt Agrawal was the Chief Engineering Officer of Air Force Station, Adampur. During his tenure, maintenance activities of the base have been steadily im proved. Over and above his normal day-to-day commitments, he has personally inspired his officers and technicians to innovate and modify rigs and aircraft subsystems for the benefit of service. There are four innovations for MiG-23 ac, two for MiG-29 ac and two for general purpose which merit recognition. The most noteworthy are the test rig for checking the Laser Range Finder without removing the components from the ac and the Radar Test Bench for MiG-29 ac. The local fabrication of both these saved 80 man-hours per laser testing procedure and approximately Rs. one crore in foreign exchange for the Radar Test Bench.

For distinguished service of high order the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Gp Capt Arvinda Agrawal.

Group Captain Arun Kumar Tiwari was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the flying branch of the Indian Air Force on 20 Dec 69. He has flown over 4100 hrs as a fighter pilot. He is a qualified flying instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, he also served in the Aircrew Examining Board. He had been a Flight Commander in a MiG-21 Sqn and then had the distinction of being one of the early commanding Officers of a MiG-29 Squadron. He was appointed Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Air Force Station Adampur in Jan 94.

As a COO, GP Capt Tiwari has successfully overseen the creation and sustenance of an environment wherein Fighter and Guided Missile Squadrons can maximise utilisation of their resources towards effective training. During Command exercises in 1994 and 1995, the meticulous planning done by him ensured smooth and efficient achievement of objectives. In his capacity as Base Air Defence Officer, he has trained his team to a very high level of skill and cohesion.

For distinguished service of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain AK Tiwari.

Group Captain Lov Kumar Vig (14732) Administration was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the IAF on 29 Dec 1976. In over 28 years service he has held several key appointments at Operational Wings, Directing Staff at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) and Staff appointments at Air HQ. At AFAC, besides being an efficient directing staff, he compiled a 'Law Guide' to help Administrative Officers in effective discharge of legal aspects of administration. Presently, he is functioning as Chief Administrative Officer at Air Force Station Adampur since 05 April 2004.

He is a highly motivated Administrative Officer, who has constantly exhibited a very high degree of professionalism. Through judicious use of NPFs, Work Services & Public Funds, he has renovated and created various facilities for Personnel Below Officer Ranks (PBOR) that have enhanced the quality of life of all Air Warriors. Numerous administrative measures introduced by him have helped save precious man-hours. While improving quality of life and providing good administration he has been very cost conscious and maintained a healthy growth of Non Public Funds.

Through implementation of various administrative measures and installations of electricity saving devices the station has been able to save electricity tariff to the tune of over Rs. 12 Lakhs in the last one year. The Doaba region is very fertile and wild vegetation growth is rapid & rampant. With his personal involvement and effective utilization of all available resources the station could keep regular check on growth of wild vegetation. This has contributed significantly towards creating a clean and good environment conducive for safe flight operations.

Gp Capt Vig provides proactive Administrative Supports to all personnel at AF Station Adampur. He is a good event manager. Under his guidance the station conducted Air Force Best Physique Championship 2004 & various WAC Inter Area Championships. A security software 'SECUREMM' was developed to automate all data/records regarding functioning of Guard Room to help the duty security staff in identifying/verifying the movement of men & materials. This software has since been implemented in other Stations in WAC. He leads by example and accomplishes time bound tasks through team work and personnel commitment. His contributions helped Adampur win the coveted "Pride of WAC" trophy.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Lov Kumar Vig.