Immediately on posting as CEO, Wing Commander Bhattacharyya faced three major challenges. Firstly, 12 transport aircraft were inducted into the Station for a specific requirement for the first time in the IAF. Secondly, the entire responsibility of maintenance of transport aircraft was taken over from M/S Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Both these tasks demanded methodical planning, and great degree of involvement. It also required continued hard work round the clock to train all newly inducted personnel, to streamline maintenance procedures and to meet the large flying task. In addition, as CEO, he was overall incharge of the entire technical management activities related to Aero-India '96 the first ever international air show organised by the Ministry of Defence, at this station. His meticulous planning professional excellence and organisational skill enabled this Station to meet all the challenges of the air show with great success.

Wing Commander T Bhattacharyya by his untiring efforts and total dedication has optimised all resources and succeeded in conducting all technical activities with limited number of subordinates. His total involvement has richly contributed in completing successive flying training courses without any accident or major incident. In addition, all the support services have been maintained in the finest possible state.

For having rendered distinguished service of a very high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander T. Bhattacharyya.

As Chief Administrative Officer of Air Force Station Yelahanka, Gp Capt N Verma was extensively involved in the conduct of the prestigious international aerospace exposition Aero India-98. He was entrusted with various challenging responsibilities including planning, construction and maintenance of infrastructural facilities, security and crowd management, Fire Fighting and safety arrangements and beautification of the exhibition area. He was also involved in extensive co-ordination with various State Government agencies, MOD and PSUs. Despite the enormous responsibilities associated with providing admin support to this premier training base, Gp Capt N Verma, by his exceptional professional competence, indefatigable enthusiasm, conceptual skill and untiring efforts achieved all tasks assigned to him to perfection. His contribution proved to be one of the decisive factors in the resounding success of this much acclaimed air show.

Gp Capt N Verma was the first Director of Air Force Auditorium, New Delhi. Starting from a scratch and with sustained efforts he not only made it a sound financial venture but also a pride of IAF.

During his tenure as C Adm O of a fighter Base the officer was responsible for the acquisition of land for Diu airfield. With his untiring concerted efforts, the Herculean tasks connected with the acquisition of land, liaison with State Administration officials, tactful dealings with the private land owners of Diu, approx. 450 Kms away from the parent Base resulted in the completion of the proceedings in a record time. He also significantly contributed in the completion of various projects such as ACMI and resurfacing of Runways systems. His dedicated efforts resulted in improving the operations and flight safety of this premier fighter Base.

For his consistent high performance, relentless spirit of achievement and distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Naresh Verma.

Group Captain Surya Narayana Murti (15945) Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) was commissioned on 07 Jan 1980 in the Engineering branch of the IAF. During his career of 24 years he has held important appointments including that of Deputy Director of Maintenance at Air HQ Computer Centre, Senior Production Engineer (Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopter Assy) at a premier Base Repair Depot, Chief Engineering Officer at Carnicobar and Commanding Officer of 75 RMU. He has been commended by the Vice Chief of the Air Staff and AOC-in-C. Presently, he is posted to Air Force Station Yelahanka as Chief Engineering Officer (CEO) since 19 Aug 02.

Air Force Station Yelahanka has the important time bound task of conducting training flying for ab-initio Transport Pilots on Do-228 aircraft AN-32 aircraft and for abinitio Helicopter Pilots, Flight Engineers and Flight Gunners on Mi-8 aircraft. Ever since assuming charge Gp Capt Murti has exhibited creativity and ingenuity in improving the serviceability of all type of aircraft held at the Base. His relentless efforts have assured sustained high serviceability of over 80% for Do-228 aircraft, over 65% for Mi-8 and over 60% for AN-32 aircraft for the last one year. This has facilitated completion of all flying training courses on time without augmentation of aircraft from other units.

Gp Capt Murti is highly innovative and accepts each new thought and project as a challenge and has the capacity to show results of his efforts. With his keen involvement and vision to appreciate the importance of standard markings on AN-32 and Do-228 aircraft he has produced aircraft marking albums for both aircraft. This arduous and time consuming task was accomplished most efficiently and has been of immense value to both the fleets. His other notable achievements include setting up a computer repair centre at Base, CVR listening facility on AN-32 and Do-228 aircraft, implementation of quality monitoring system in MCC and preparation of standard TTGE list of Mi-8 helicopter are some other notable achievements of the officer.

For his dedicated hard work, professionalism and distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Surya Narayana Murti.