Warrant Officer Surat Singh Yadav [Flt Engineer] has been operating as a Flight Engineer Leader of a heavy transport Squadron in Jammu and Kashmir area. After the declaration of the emergency, he sometimes flew as many as seven hours a day and completed ten landing sorties at Daulet Beg Oldi, in addition to several other missions which carried him over dropping zones in areas under enemy attack. Being a very experienced fitter in the Jet modified Packet aircraft, he was always in great demand for such assignments. On more than one occasion, with his exceptional professional knowledge, he was able to rectify defects while in the air.

Warrant Officer Surat Singh Yadav always volunteered for difficult missions nad thus set a fine example of dedication to duty, courage and enthusiasm to his men.

Squadron Leader Conjeevaram Rajaratnam Mohanraj took up flying as a Flight Engineer in early 1963 when he was posted to a transport squadron in Jammu and Kashmir. Although new to his job, he worked steadfastly to master operational flying and techniques and from his experience a number of data were formulated for the safe operation of the transport aircraft of the squadron in Jammu and Kashmir. During his short career, he has flown about 2000 hours which include a number of sorties in hazardous areas. Once, his aircraft caught fire during ground testing due to mechanical defects. With complete disregard of his personal safety he got the cargo in the aircraft unloaded and also the other aircraft parked nearby removed to a safe place and, thereafter, opened the engine panels of his aircraft and saved it from burning by draining out engine oil from the crank case.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Conjeevaram Rajaratnam Mohanraj displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Krsihnamurti Srinivasan has been on the strength of the Aircrew Examining Board as Navigation Examiner Leader since 1963. He has all along discharged his duties exceptionally well and has always met the demands for additional tasks beyond the normal call of duty. He has flown 4800 hours including those as an instructor on different types of transport aircraft. He was engaged in the task of categorisation, of navigators, instructors and pupils. Squadron Leader Srinivasan implemented the set tasks and enhanced the categorisation state by careful planning and hard work. He has been responsible for re­orientation of categorisation and increasing it to a very high percentage.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Krishnamurti Srinivasan displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty,

During his eleven years of service, Squadron Leader Narayana Iyer Venkataramani has flown 5,900 hours, including 2,400 hours on instructional duties on four different types of aircraft. He has flown a total of 950 operational hours in NEFA, Nagaland and Mizo Hills. He was responsible for converting a large number of under training pilots to fully operational status capable of undertaking hazardous missions. After joining the Aircrew Examining Board as Air Force Examiner, he has been instrumental in achieving a phenomenal rise in the categorisation/instrument rating state of the Air Force. Throughout, Squadron Leader Narayana Iyer Venkataramani disp layed professional skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Squadron Leader Qaiser Ali during his fourteen years of service has flown a total of 3,550 hours including 1600 hours as an instructor on jet fighter and bomber aircraft. He spent four years as flight commander at a Bomber Conversion Unit and was responsible for training a large number of bomber pilots, who displayed a very high standard of professional skill during the 1965 conflict. He served as an instructor in the United Arab Republic with distinction for two years. After his posting to Aircrew Examining Board in August 1966, he has carried out the duties of aircrew instrument ratings and recategorisation tests of instructors with dedicated zeal and thoroughness. He has also been responsible for standardisation of bomber operating procedures.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Qaisar Ali has displayed professional skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Surendra Sahney has been closely associated with planning of Transport Support Operations in the Eastern Sector, training of paratroopers and examining IAF aircrew. He has flown nearly 5,000 hours on various types of aircraft, of which 2,000 hours have been on instructional sorties and 700 hours on operational flying over hazardous terrain. During 1965­66 in the Eastern Sector, he organised the airlift of supplies and evacuation of casualties with great success. He also arranged transport support operations in the Mizo Hills and was responsible for selection of many Dropping Zones in use today. As Officer Commanding the Paratroopers Training School, he was instrumental in introducing night formation flying on transport aircraft for the first time In the Indian Air Force. As Officer Commanding the Aircrew Examining Board, he set a high standard in examining aircrew.

Throughout, Wing Commander Surendra Sahney displayed professional skill and devotional to duty.

Squadron Leader Narayana Kestur Sastry joined the Indian Air Force as an airman in November, 1943. With meritorious noncommissioned service of over 15 ears behind him, he was commissioned in the Technical/ Signals branch in January, 1963. During his service, he has served as an Air Signaller in a transport squaron, Air Headquarters Communications Squadron and Aircrew Examination Board. His tenure in a transport squadron involved flying to the far flung airfields and dropping zones in Kashmir and Ladakh, over very inhopsitable terrain. During his service in the Air Headquarters Communications Squadron, he had the privilege of being a crew member on numerous imporant flights. In the Aircrew Examining Board, he was responsible for judging the efficiency standards of the Air Signallers throughout the Air Force, for which task he was eminently suitable, for having set the highest standards himself. In the performance of his duties as an Air Signaller in various units, he has logged a otal of 7325 hours of flying, which is a noteworthy achieveme nt. During the operations in December, 1971, he was attached to one of the important forward operational bases of the Air Force. He served there is a member of a team responsible for conducting certain special operations of great significance to the Air Force. He worked with unremitting zeal which enabled the team to achieve the aims of the special operation in full measure.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Narayana Kestur Sastry displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Pamidi Ramalingeswara Prasad Rao has been employed in operational flying duties in Jammu and Kashmir, since 1963. From 1968, he has been employed as a Navigation Instructor and currently is an Air Force examiner. During the Operations in December, 1971, he readily volunteered to undertake hazardous missions and rendered great assistance in their detailed planning. He was the leading navigator in three of the missions undertaken by him. On 15th December, 1971, he led the formation to a vital installation located deep in the enemy territory; under extremely difficult conditions he

successfully bombed target undeterred by the ground fire. In all missions undertaken, he displayed tenacity, courage and a very high order with complete disregard to his personal safety. His courage and extreme devotion in the face of enemy fire was exemplary and a source of inspirationl to others.

Squadron Leader Pratap Rao was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in August, 1956. He has been on the Aircrew Examining Board since July, 1972. He has flown over 4000 hours on single engine aircraft and out of these over 2100 hours are on instructional or examining duties on 10 different types of aircraft. He holds an A-2 Instructional Category on 8 aircraft and Master Green Rating on 5 types of aircraft, which is an achievement of an exceptional order. As a Flying Instructor, he has carried out his duties with the utmost devotion and dedication. He has helped in improving the categorisation state of the Qualified Flying Instructors in the Air Force to a very great extent.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Pratap Rao displayed courage, professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Master Warrant Officer Aaron Patrick was enrolled in the Service in April 1950 and was remustered to the trade of Flight Engineer in 1961. Since then, the Master Warrant Officer has flown over 6760 hrs (inclusive of 1320 hours operational) on six different types of aircraft.

Master Warrant Officer Aaaron Patrick has faired extremely well, professionally by achieving the transport category 'A' on three different type of aircraft viz. C-119L, AN 12, L-1049 in a matter of 14 years prior to being posted to the Aircrew Examining Board on 18 May 75. As an Air Force Examiner, Master Warrant Officer Patrick has displayed a high degree of professionalism and made significant contribution towards maintaining high standards of proficiency among Flight Engineers in Indian Air Force. By his extra ordinary zeal and dedication to duty, the categorisation state percentage of Flight Engineers in Transport Squadrons remained high. During his tenure as an Air Force Examiner, in the last 20 months, the Master Warrant Officer has flown over 1060 hours in aircrew testing on as many as six different types of aircraft. On many an occasion he has handled a large number of categorisation tests in different types of aircraft single handedly, working often beyond the call of duty. The fact that the Master Warrant Officer has done over 677 tests of aircrew and remained out of base over 675 days in his tenure at Air Crew Examining Board is testimony of his sustained hard work and dedication to duty.

For his exceptional professionalism and dedication to duty of highest order, the President is pleased to award VAYU SENA MEDAL to Master Warrant Officer Aaron Patrick.

Wing Commander Nirmal Thusu was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in December, 1964. To date, he has accumulated 4700 hours of total flying as well as 2700 glider launches, all of them accident­free. He has 2411 hours of operational flying on the Canberra, both in the Eastern and the Western sectors. He has been and outstanding A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor with over 1900 hours of instructional flying in India and abroad on such varied aircraft types as Canberra, Kiran, HT-2, HPT-32, and L-29. He has held the Master Green Instrument Rating on Canberra and Kiran aircraft since 1974.

Wg Cdr N Thusu has done two eminently successful tenures of duty as Air Force Examiner with the Aircrew Examining Board. As a 'C' Flight Air Force Examiner during these tenures, he has made remarkably significant contribution to the maintenance of a very demanding and high standard of Qualified Flying Instructors. A very keen, perceptive and analytical flier, this officer is endowed with a very rate sense of commitment to flying standards in the IAF in general and to standards within the Aircrew Examining Board, in particular.

For his exceptional qualities as a flierinstructor­examiner, he has been commended by AOsC-in-C on four different occasions and was also commended by the Air Chief of a friendly country for his performance while on deputation to that country as a Qualified Flying Instructor.

For his outstanding professional acumen and his exceptionally outstanding contribution to the maintenance of high standards of flying training, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wing Commander Nirmal Thusu.

Group Captain Nasib Singh Kadian (15025) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 10 Jun 1977 as a fighter pilot. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor with 4500 h of accident free flying. He has been Flight Commander of a MiG-21 Sqn and Squadron Commander of MiG Operational Flying Training Unit. He commanded a fighter Sqn and Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), wherein, he was instrumental in resurrecting both these units on MiG-21 in a record time. During his tenure of two years as Chief Operations Officer (COO) of a major airbase operating fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters, he was largely responsible for an all-time record airlift of 50,000 ton load for forward area maintenance and ensuring accident free flying. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College.

Gp Capt Kadian took over as Commanding Officer of the Aircrew Examining Board on 29 Jul 2002. It is the custodian of professional excellence of the IAF. He has given a new focus to it's thrust areas. In the last ten months, he has reoriented the examining system to an operational role specific pattern, thereby ensuring high professional standards in the IAF. The amendments in the existing instructions on instrument flying conceived by him would go a long way in enhancing operational proficiency and flight safety. Through his personal involvement and commitment, the Board has undergone a paradigm shift in terms of its working environment, computer cum edit room, computerised auto-generation of question papers, archives and library. He has been responsible for the conceptualisation of a very high-class training infrastructure for conduct of courses by the Board.

For his exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Group Captain Nasib Singh Kadian.

Flight Lieutenant Amarjeet Singh Kullar (5854) VrC General Duties (Pilot) has flown over 2,200 hours during his service of about nine years. He also holds the highest Q.F.I category 'A-1'. He was posted to the Aircrew Examining Board in 1966. During this tenure he has been employed on the categorization of Q.F.Is. Standardization and instrument rating of A.O.P. pilots, standardization of pupil pilots training and the testing of the jet pilots for instrument rating. By his dedication, enthusiasm for flying and hard work beyond the call of duty he has contributed greatly in enhancing the number of A2/A1 Q.F.Is. and in initiating and finalizing the categorization scheme for helicopter pilots.

Flight Lieutenant Kullar has had a brilliant career in the service all along. He stood first at the N.D.A winning the Gliding Trophy. Later, during the flying training period he won the President's plaque and the Air Chief's Medal. He kept up this high performance during his Squadron service and at the Flying Instructor's School by winning a number of competitive awards. He proved his mettle again by winning the Vir Chakra in the Pakistan conflict of 1965.

Master Warrant Officer Phool Chand Sharma has been in the Air crew Examination Board since Jul 79. He had stood "Best All Round" in the Radio Fitter course on remustering to the aircrew trade of Flight Signaller. He obtained transport category 'B' much before he completed in the requisite flying hours. Once again, he was awarded transport category 'A' on Packet, Super constellation, Dakota and HS-748 aircraft in the first attempt and as soon as he had the minimum required flying experience. For his outstanding performance, he was commended by the CAS in 1978.

The Aircrew Examining Board was still operating Dakota aircraft in 1984 when MWO Sharma was sent to Sulur to identify, locate, select and retrieve as many serviceable spares as possible from the life expired Dakotas stored there. He did a masterful job and as a result, the unit had no spares problem till it was finally sent to storage in 1986.

For his substantial and outstanding contribution as Flight Signaller on a variety of aircraft, his exceptional performance as an Air Force Examiner for nine years and his sustained professional excellence in flying and allied activities, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to MWO Phool Chand Sharma.

Wing Commander Om Kumar was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in May 1968.

He has flown over 7000 hrs on four different types of aircraft. He was awarded Cat 'A', the highest professional category, when he was only a Flying Officer with four years of service. In view of his professionalism and high standards in flying, he was selected for the Advance Navigation Course which he qualified with distinction.

In Sep 77, as an Air Force Examiner, he made tremendous contribution towards maintaining high standards of navigation in the transport fleet. He was then selected to undergo conversion on IL-76 aircraft in USSR before his induction into IAF. A distinguished A-2 Qualified Navigator Instructor, he has vast instructional experience on IL-76, AN-12 and HS-748 aircraft. In recognition, he was once again appointed an Air Force Examiner and Navigation Leader at Aircrew Examining Board in Jan 87.

For his exceptional professional achievments and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Om Kumar.

Sqn Ldr Ajay Gautam was on the posted strength of AEB as an examiner before proceeding to Antarctica along with XI Antarctica Expedition.

Sqn Ldr A Gautam, besides looking after the job of Flt Engr, he was actively involved in rendering full assistance to the technical crew in day-to-day flying operations. Since he had represented Air Force in IX Antarctica expedition successfully, his assessment of situations in the air and on the ground were of tremendous help. His knowledge of Nav and allied systems being exceptional, he rendered full cooperation and support to other organisations participating in the expedition. Despite so many additional responsibilities, he flew a total of 99:35 hrs during the expedition.

On 01 Feb 92, the stablised engine of Mi-8 helicopter was not getting switched off as the HP link rod came out of spline shaft. Sqn Ldr Gautam, Flt Engr on board, switched off the engine with the help of LP Cock by timely ON/OFF operations, without allowing the HP Pump to run dry, showing apex of his professional capabilities and saving the fuel pump. The helicopter flew eight more sorties same day after rectification.

For his dedication, professionalism and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr Ajay Gautam.