In 1962, a team of technical airmen at the Jet Training Wing built an armament trainer for pupil pilots to go through basic procedural drill before they went up for flight exercises in the air. The idea of the armament trainer though conceived by the then Chief Instructor of Jet Training Wing, was made practicable due to the dedicated spirit, technical know how and hard work of the members of this technical team. Sergeant Baldev Singh Plaha was one of them. With the help of this trainer a great improvement in the accuracy of firing during armament exercises was achieved.

Later on, when the utility of the first armament trainer was fully assessed, the same team under the guidance of the same officer set to work to produce another armament trainer of an improved performance specifically for Vampire aircraft. This trainer was installed at one of our Air Force stations and proved of great use as a standard armament trainer for pilots of fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons.

Finally, a third armament trainer for Hunter aircraft with equipment and spares salvaged from crashed aircraft was designed and built by the same technical team with great success. Sergeant Baldev Singh Plaha took an active part in the design and construction of all the three armament trainers. The great technical skill, zeal, hard work and devotion to duty displayed by this senior N.C.O. in completing the tasks undertaken by the team are worthy of high praise and recognition.

In 1962, a team of technical airmen at the Jet Training Wing built an armament trainer for pupil pilots to go through basic procedural drill before they went up for flight exercises in the air. The idea of the armament trainer though conceived by the then Chief Instructor of Jet Training Wing, was made practicable due to the dedicated spirit, technical knowhow and hard work of members of this technical team. Sergeant Gopalkrishnan was one of them. With help of this trainer a great improvement in the accuracy of firing during armament exercises was achieved.

Later on, when the utility of the first armament trainer was fully assessed, the same team under the guidance of the same officer set to work to produce another armament trainer of an improved performance specifically for Vampire aircraft. This trainer was installed at one of our Air Force Stations and proved of great use as a standard armament trainer for pilots of fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons.

Finally, a third armament trainer for Hunter aircraft with equipment and spares salvaged from crashed aircraft was designed and built by the same technical team with great success. Sergeant Tiruvannamalai Srinivasa Gopalkrishnan took an active part in the design and construction of all the three armament trainers. The great technical skill, zeal, hard work and devotion to duty displayed by this senior N.C.O in completing the tasks undertaken by the team are worthy of high praise and recognition.

Sergeant Ramakrishna Jankiram Gosawi has been in-charge of the repair and servicing section of a logistic support squadron since October, 1964. With the limited resources available at the forward airfield in the Eastern Sector, from which his squadron was required to operate, this S.N.C.O left no stone unturned to keep the aircraft of his squadron in the air.

More than once, during the years 1965 and 1966, major tasks such as engine change had to be carried out at forward helipads right in the midst of mountains and wild life. During those times, this S.N.C.O showed exemplary courage and determination in leading teams of a handful of airmen to perform the tasks allotted. On every occasion he successfully carried out the repairs in a remarkably short time. Instances, where the final tasks were accomplished, with nothing but a few candles to provide light, were not uncommon.

At times, when aircraft serviceability reached low ebb, this SNCO, in utter disregard to personal comforts, proceeded to areas in the interior to salvage equipment and spares from the crashed aircraft so that the overall aircraft serviceability at base could be improved. His sincere and unflinching devotion to duty and cheerful acceptance of the hazards of working under difficult conditions, provided a magnificent inspiration to all other airmen of the squadron