Air Vice Marshal (now Air Marshal) Shivdev Singh was commissioned in the Air Force in 1940. He has held important appointments in Air Headquarters as well as in the Command of various Air Force Units. He attended the Royal Air Force Staff College in the U.K. in 1951. Before taking up the assignments of Air Officer Commandingin-Chief, Western Air Command in March 1966, he served as Air Officer Commandingin-Chief, Central Air Command. By his hard work, drive and initiative, he has improved the operational preparedness and efficiency of the units under his Command. Western Air Command is also engaged continuously in airlifting supplies to forward areas. Under his able leadership, the Command has been able to achieve airlift targets without sacrificing safety.

Air Vice Marshall Om Prakash Mehra (1639) GD (P) was Air Officer Commandingin-Chief, Maintenance Command for a period of over three years with effect from 3rd October, 1963. On relinquishment of Command he was appointed Air Officerin-Charge Maintenance with effect from 1st February 1967, where he continues.

During his tenure as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, this Air Officer was able to improve the efficiency of that Command; he showed commendable initiative, energy and untiring zeal in pursuing various projects and ensuring their completion on schedule. There were many shortages in that Command during the period of his command but despite those, he was able to increase the output of overhauled engines and aircraft from the Base Repair Depots. In the Equipment Depots, he was able to introduce new ideas and improve their functioning. As a result, the efficiency of the Maintenance Command as a whole improved considerably during his assignment.

Since taking over the duties of Air Officerin-Charge Maintenance, Air Vice Marshal Mehra has not spared himself in making up the shortages which exist on the Maintenance side. Due to various factors there have been shortages of spares. There have also been many other difficulties in adhering to the programme set before us for servicing aircraft. These difficulties notwithstanding, he has with his characteristics drive and initiative set into motion various actions which area now beginning to produce good results.

On 9th November 1966, at about 1030 hours, an operational fighter trainer aircraft with two pilots on board crashed while making an emergency landing at one of the forward airfields. Corporal Sukumar Ghosh was working in the dispersal area at that time rushed towards the aircraft. When he reached the scene, the fire had already started to spread. Unmindful of his personal safety, he first rescued the injured pilot in the burning rear cockpit. He then went forward to the front cockpit, and with the assistance of another airman, successfully unstrapped the injured and semi unconscious pilot and carried him out of the cockpit. He then went back to the front cockpit to salvage the parachutes out of the burning wreckage. By this time the rear cockpit was fully engulfed by flames. Despite this, he entered the front cockpit for the second time to salvage the parachutes. It is only when he was ordered by his officers present on the spot to desist from making further efforts that he gave up the attempt most reluctantly

Throughout, Corporal Sukumar Ghosh displayed exemplary courage and initiative.

On 9 Nov 66, Cpl Ghosh observed a MiG-21 U fighter-trainer crash and catch fire on the runway of the airfield. he immediately ran to the scene and rescued the injured pilot from the rear seat unmindful of his own safety. Then he carried the pilot from the front seat in an injured and semi conscious state to a place of safety. Both the pilots recovered safely later on.

Air Commodore Madhukar Mallannah Shrinagesh was commissioned in January, 1940 and was seconded to the Medical Branch of Indian Air Force In January, 1941. He saw active service on the Burma Front during World War II while he was the medical officer of No.1 Squadron. He was mentioned in despatches for his commendable operational service. After Independence, till the integration of the medical services, he served as the Director of Medical Services at Air Headquarters and played a major part in shaping the medical service of the Air Force. He also served as Deputy Command and Dean of the under graduate wing of the Armed Forces Medical College, Poona. He attended Advance Aviation Medicine Course in USA in 1950-51. In 1957, he specialized in aviation medicine and was instrumental in setting up the School of Aviation Medicine at Bangalore. The reputation earned by this institution was due to the initiative, zeal, hard work and above all the high standard of professional ability of the officer.

Air Commodore (now Air Vice Marshal) Chaman Lal Mehta was commissioned in the Air Force in 1940. He has held important appointments in Air Headquarters as well as in the Command of various Air Force Units. He attended the Advance Flying Training Course and Administrative and Discipline Course during 1941­42. As Director of Personnel, Air Headquarters, he tackled many intricate problems of personnel administration. As Station Commander, Jalhali, he introduced numerous new training schemes which resulted in vastly superior output of trained personnel and in reducing the wastage rates. In his capacity as Director, Air Force Works, during the period of Chinese aggression, he, despite limited resources, completed construction of many new airfields. He has rendered distinguished service throughout his career.

Air Commodore Madhukar Laxman Akut was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in November, 1941. During World War II he saw active service on the Burma Front. He held the important appointments in Air Headquarters as well as in the Command of Air Force Units. He served as an Instructor in a flying training school for training pilots and navigators. His professional knowledge and devotion to duty were instrumental in turning out batches of well trained pilots and navigators during those formative days of the Air Force. After his graduation in the Specialist Navigators' Course in the U.K., he was posted to a Bomber Squadron where he did commendable work in improving bombing techniques. During the Chinese aggression in 1962, in his capacity as Senior Officer-in-charge Administration in Headquarters, Eastern Air Command, he did excellent work in establishing not only the Command Headquarters, but also in setting up promptly many operational stations in the eastern sector. As Director Policy and Plans at Air Headquarters, he actively assisted in planning the expansion and consolidation of the Air Force.

Air Commodore Charandas Gurudas Devasher was commissioned in 1942. He attended a Junior Commanders' Course at No. 1 Ground Training School and also a Staff Course at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in 1950-51. He assumed the Command of an Air Defence Control Centre at a critical time during the India­Pakistan conflict of 1965. Under his able guidance the Air Defence proved a well balanced force. After the cessation of hostilities, he with foresight, imagination, administrative and operational guidance, consolidated the Air Defence structure in the area under his Command. He made use of the available resources to the maximum and with utmost economy to meet the requirements of air defence.

On 3rd March 1966, Aijal, the headquarters of Mizo District, was surrounded by hostiles and it became essential to rush reinforcements there. Despite the fact that the hostiles had taken up positions very close to Aijal helipad and all bridges had been destroyed, Flight Lieutenant Rajendra Narayan Pandeya led a force of helicopters to land troops knowing fully well that It would be an easy target for the hostiles' guns. On reaching Aijal, one of the helicopters was hit by hostile fire whereupon they were recalled to base. On the next day, he again took off and landed troops at Aijal which turned the tide of operations against the hostiles. Since then, he had been engaged in active flying in the sector airlifting troops and equipment and evacuating casualties and civilians.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Rajendra Narayan Pandeya displayed courage and determination.

On 31st January 1967, the fuel in an aircraft caught fire during servicing operations. The airmen engaged in servicing raised an alarm and the fire fighting operations were immediately commenced. Flight Lieutenant Mohamed Raza Shirazi joined the group of men trying to extinguish the fire and took a leading part. He climbed on the main-plane of the burning aircraft at great risk and directed the nozzle of the fire fighting hose Into the Plenum chamber. The timely action prevented the fire which further, otherwise would have engulfed and destroyed the whole aircraft.

Flight Lieutenant Mohamed Raza Shirazi displayed courage and leadership.

On 3rd February 1967, two Flight Cadets were authorized to carry out circuits and landings in a Dakota aircraft at a Transport Training Wing. Sergeant Seni Desingh Devarajan, NCO in charge of the crash crew on duty, saw the aircraft swinging off the runway on its take off run. Anticipating a crash, he alerted his crew and reached the spot immediately. Both the engines of the aircraft had fallen off from the mountings and one of them which was on fire was very near the aircraft. Disregarding his personal safety, Sergeant Devarajan entered the crashed aircraft. The nose section was completely broken and both the flight cadets were trapped in their seats. With great care, he, with the help of another airman extricated the two cadets from the aircraft within minutes. His prompt action was to a large extent responsible for saving the life of one of the cadets; the other cadet succumbed to his injuries.

In this action, Sergeant Seni Deslngh Devarajan displayed cool courage and initiative.

On 17th February 1967, Flight Lieutenant Minoo Vania was on a paratrooping sortie, when he was informed by the Captain of the aircraft that a “hang up” had occurred in the aircraft flying ahead. He saw the dangling paratrooper released about 4.5 miles from the dropping zone. Apprehending that the paratrooper was probably injured by being buffeted against the aircraft fuselage and would sustain further Injuries during landing and would not get any immediate medical aid because of the inaccessible terrain, Flight Lieutenant Vania requested his Captain to drop him in that area. On landing by parachute, he found the paratrooper bleeding profusely from the right wrist where the hand had been completely severed. He managed to stop bleeding and nursed him till medical assistance became available after about 40 minutes. But for his timely help, the paratrooper would probably not have been saved.

Flight Lieutenant Minoo Vania displayed courage and Initiative.

Group Captain (then Wing Commander) Jagdish Raj Bhasin was in command of a Squadron from April 1966 to May 1967. He was entrusted with, the stewardship of the Squadron at the time of its re­equipment with a new type of aircraft. The primary task of the Squadron was to train the pilots to use this new type of aircraft. For this purpose he, despite many difficulties, marshalled all the resources at his disposal with utmost speed and carried out the task successfully by working about twelve hours a day. During his stay in the Squadron, he introduced effective steps for flight safety.

Throughout, Group Captain Jagdish Raj Bhasin displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

As Commander of a Bomber Squadron, Group Captain Jaspal Singh led his Squadron in a commendable manner, winning many a laurel in inter­Squadron armament competitions. For five years he was connected with the Flight Safety Organisation at Air Headquarters and by his organising ability and sound technical knowledge implemented various plans. As Commander of a large multi­role station, he has successfully tackled many complex operational, training, maintenance and administrative problems. He has flown over 4000 hours without a blemish.

Throughout, Group Captain Jaspal Singh displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Wing Commander Malcolm Shirley Dundas Wollen was in command of an Interceptor Squadron re-equipped with a new type of aircraft. The squadron, besides its role of interception, had to undertake conversion training of a number of pilots. Wing Commander Wollen with great perseverance and fortitude fulfilled the task by continuously supervising the unit. The syllabus of training prepared by him for conversion of his squadron personnel has been accepted in the Air Force as a standard syllabus. During the conflict with Pakistan, Wing Commander Wollen, undertook several operational sorties both by day and night for intercepting enemy aircraft despite various limitations and adverse conditions.

Throughout, Wing Commander Malcolm Shirley Dundas Wollen displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Mohan Inder Singh has been intimately associated with the introduction of the HS-748 aircraft in operations with the Air Force. The level of efficiency at which the present force of HS-748 aircraft operates in the squadron is mainly due to his professional skill, foresight and good planning. While he was in command of this squadron, he effected smooth changeover to modern turbo­jet aircraft for VlP communication duties. He ensured the highest standard of flight safety required in the communication squadron for air transportation of VIPs. He has a total of about 6990 flying hours to his credit his credit.

Throughout, Wing Commander Mohan Inder Singh displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Wing Commander Jasmer Singh Dhanoa has recently taken over command of a Transport Squadron. He undertook various missions in the eastern region from 1953 to 1955 and, thereafter, served as an Instructor in a transport training wing and as Flight Commander in the VIP flights of Air Headquarters Communication Squadron. He has an accident free record of over 6000 hours of flying

Throughout, Wing Commander Jasmer Singh Dhanoa displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Squadron Leader Rajinder Pal Singh has been actively associated with operational flying since 1952. He has to his credit a total of 6700 flying hours which included 2300 hours in operational areas and over difficult terrain under adverse weather conditions. During the conflict with Pakistan in 1965, his squadron was faced with enormously increased operational tasks. As a flight commander of his squadron, he undertook the tasks courageously and completed them exceptionally well. In addition to his own duties, he took an active part in carrying out the conversion- training of newly posted pilots and screening them for operational flights.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Rajinder Pal Singh displayed professional skill, courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Kshirode Krishna Sen has flown a total of nearly 3500 hours which includes 250 hours on single engined aircraft during night and 1600 hours on instructional duties. On the 10th March 1962, while an instructional duties on an aircraft, he found that the ailerons had jammed and the aircraft went into a spiral. He skillfully managed to get the ailerons free by inducing excessive skid and rocking motion and this saved the aircraft and precious lives. He displayed similar remarkable skill in saving a Hunter aircraft when it was hit by a bird. Once again, he showed remarkable professional skill in saving a Vampire aircraft when there was rear bearing failure during a cross country flight.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Kshirode Krishna Sen displayed professional skill courage and devotion to duty.

When both the Squadron Leader and the Flight Commander of a Squadron were killed in a fatal flying accident in July 1965, Squadron Leader Eric Lionel Allen took over the command of the Squadron. By working from dawn to dusk and at times even during the night, he successfully completed the task of operational training of the pilots in the Squadron, within a very short time. During the conflict with Pakistan in 1965, he undertook several difficult missions. In addition to the duties of Squadron Commander, he performed the duties of Officer-in-Charge of Flying at an airfield for a period of 15 months.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Eric Lionel Allen displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Narinder Singh Arora has been on the strength of a transport squadron since October 1966. He has flown a total of 4600 hours including 2200 hours over Jammu and Kashmir and NEFA areas. He has always volunteered for any new tasks that were assigned to the squadron and accomplished them. On the 30th April 1960, when his aircraft had an engine failure during a sortie in the Ladakh area, he took proper collective action immediately and brought the aircraft safely to base without any damage to Service property or injury to the crew.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Narinder Singh Arora displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Shrinivas Prahlad Desai was posted to a squadron in June 1967, which was called upon to undertake the difficult task of air maintenance for the North East Frontier Agency. He, along with a handful of his colleagues, carried out the pioneering work of classifying all the dropping zones despite adverse weather conditions. He flew 104 hours on operational tasks of air maintenance and also trained many pilots in supply dropping techniques. On the 27th July 1967, Squadron Leader Desai was called upon to undertake a supply dropping mission to an isolated post located in an extremely difficult mountainous region at a height of 10,700 feet. He undertook this sortie with full knowledge of the difficulties involved. After carrying out a most accurate pin-point drop in the first run, over the tiny dropping zone, he made another circuit for subsequent drop when the port engine of the aircraft suddenly failed and the aircraft started losing height rapidly. Faced with great danger, he had to crash land the aircraft in the mountainous terrain and in doing so lost his life along with three other aircrew.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Shrinivas Prahlad Desai displayed courage and devotion to duty.

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.

Flight Lieutenant Ravindra Sahai has been flying in the Assam area since 1961. He has flown a total of 3800 hours. During the period of his service with a squadron, he had three engine failures in the treacherous valleys of NEFA, but on each occasion he managed to land the aircraft safely by exceptional flying skill and masterly handling. At present he is in a transport squadron. In this squadron also he experienced two engine failures, but he displayed presence of mind and flying skill in safe landing his aircraft.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Ravindra Sahai displayed professional skill and exceptional 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,

Flight Lieutenant Tushar Sen has been serving with an interceptor Squadron. He is one of the most experienced pilots on this type of aircraft and has flown 600 sorties. On many occasions, he had to cope with serious emergencies but each time he brought the aircraft down safely. Once, when all wheels of his aircraft did not come down, and when any normal pilot would have been justified in abandoning the aircraft in such a situation, he, with courage and determination, brought the aircraft back safely on two wheels. On another occasion, when his longitudinal control failed at a low height, he successfully landed the aircraft. He flew a number of sorties in 1965 operations to provide air defence.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Tushar Sen displayed professional, skill courage and devotion to duty.

Master Warrant Officer James Coutts Lorine has been serving with a Transport Squadron. In the absence of the armament officer for flight gunnery duties, he also took up the duties of the flight gunnery leader. While working as a flight gunnery leader he kept the training state and the operational status of the gunners at a high degree of efficiency with his efficient management and administrative ability. He also took the initiative in improving various techniques of safe loading and unloading in the shortest possible time resulting in quick turn round of aircraft. He has flown 3500 hours out of which more than 1000 hours have been in operational areas.

Throughout, Master Warrant Officer James Coutts Lorine displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Master Signaller Sadashiv Pandurang Thatte has been working with a Transport Squadron since January 1964. He has flown a total of more than 6000 hours out of which about 2400 hours have been in Jammu and Kashmir and NEFA areas. As a Flight Signaller, he has made a considerable contribution towards the achievements of the Squadron.

Throughout, Master Signaller Sadashiv Pandurang Thatte displayed professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Warrant Officer Rangappa Rangaswamy has been serving with a Transport Squadron since 1961. He has flown a total of about 4000 hours out of which about 2100 hours were in Jammu and Kashmir and NEFA. He was one of the pioneers who were detailed to airlift cargo to Chushul during the Chinese aggression. He has subsequently been employed on many occasions to airlift cargo to forward areas. On the 3rd June 1962, while on a supply dropping mission the transporters got stuck and rendered the supply drop impossible. The cargo which was hanging precariously from the aircraft prevented closing of the rear cargo doors. Realising the situation, he operated the transporter motor manually and ejected the whole load.

Throughout, Warrant Officer Rangappa Rangaswamy displayed professional skill, courage and devotion to duty.

In 1964, a large number of aircraft had accumulated in one of our Base Repair Depots awaiting production. There was, therefore challenge to be met and the backlog to be cleared for improving the operational preparedness of units in the Air Force. Wing Commander Ganendra Mukherji who was posted to this Base Repair Depot as Chief Technical Officer in September, 1964, set about this task with grit and determination. Within a short period he organised the working of the various sections and increased the productivity.

During the hostilities with Pakistan in 1965, necessity for even better effort was clearly the need of the hour. Wing Commander Ganendra Mukherji rose to the occasion and by his sustained hard work, inspired leadership and efficient direction, achieved maximum results. It is also largely due to his personal guidance and participation that an important operational modification on Mi-4 helicopters was undertaken and completed by this Base Repair Depot in record time during this period.

Again during December, 1965, and the subsequent months, when this Base Repair Depot was reorganised Wg. Cdr. Mukherji was called upon to put in very hard and exacting working routine to ensure speedy completion of the tasks. This officer once again displayed qualities of resourcefulness and organising ability of a high order and notwithstanding his poor state of health at that time, achieved commendable results.

Squadron Leader Subbiah Murugan was posted to one of the Base Repair Depots which is responsible for repair and overhaul of signals and radar equipment.

On his own initiative he set up the overhaul line for a newly acquired type of radar equipment and within a short time the turn round period for overhaul was reduced considerably. Since the equipment acquired was new and our technical personnel lacked the requisite experience on it, Sqn. Ldr. Subbiah Murugan had to prepare lists of spares and components required for overhauling the sets. Pending arrival of the spares, he met the requirements from improvised equipment which were manufactured under his personal supervision and guidance at the Repair Depot. It was under his personal leadership and guidance that manufacture of new components was undertaken at his Repair Depot thereby saving an amount of about Rs. 5 Lakhs in foreign exchange. The range of production of components included those made of rubber, bakelite non-ferrous metals and ceramics.

Several foreign made transformers were required to be purchased at a cost of about Rs 5 Lakhs. Sqn. Ldr. Subbiah Murugan, on coming to know about the requirement, was confident that these transformers could be made at the Base Repair Depot by the Air Force technicians. He opened an unserviceable transformer to obtain the necessary technical data. His next requirement was a heavy coilwinding machine. Since this machine is an expensive item of equipment, Sqn Ldr Subbiah Murugan designed and made it himself at the Repair Depot. Thereafter he set about manufacturing the transformers which were badly required by the Air Force units. The total saving of foreign exchange effected was, therefore, more than about Rs. 5 Lakhs. The officer's achievement has also opened an avenue for the Air Force to manufacture these items without dependence on foreign supplies.

In collaboration with a foreign firm, Sqn Ldr. Subbiah Murugan has evolved the technique of potting a transformer. As a result the transformers used in some of our blind bombing equipment can now be made at this Repair Depot, if raw-material is made available.

Sqn. Ldr. Subbiah Murugan also developed a technique to make card board boxes of correct design for scientific and safe packing electronic equipment. Waste paper which used to be burnt in the past is now converted into pulp and used for packing electronic equipment and to cocoon them for long storage.

The initiative, devotion to duty and superb technical knowledge displayed by Sqn. Ldr. Subbiah Murugan have been of a remarkably high order.

In April, 1966, Squadron Leader Chittilemcherry Pathiyil Karunakaran Menon (5350) Technical/Signals took over charge of the Project Team entrusted with the responsibility of planning, installation, flight testing and commissioning of radar approach control system for an advance airfield. One of the components of the systems was the Precision Approach Radar of foreign manufacture received at this airfield in 1966. Without any familiarization training on the equipment imported in the country for the first time, Squadron Leader Menon had to plan and organise the inspection of the equipment, the engineering aspects of the radar installation including buildings, power supplies and remote presentation facilities prior to the arrival of the foreign experts. Squadron Leader Menon had also to plan and execute the installation of the equipment with meager resources available at the airfield in the least possible time to ensure a maximum warranty period for the equipment.

The Installation of the P.A.R. equipment commenced at this air field in the last week of April, 1967 and was finished in the first week of July, 1967. With his remarkable leadership, initiative, confidence, inventive genius and tactful liaison with the foreign experts Squadron Leader Menon was able to complete the entire installation utilizing only 312 Engineer days as against 399 projected for, thus leading to a saving of Rs. 21,000/- at pre-devaluation rates.

Squadron Leader Menon was also responsible to install a stand-by generator with very complex automatic circuits without any outside help. In this he has shown a technical skill, application and initiative of a very high order resulting in a further saving to the public funds. He was also instrumental in re-oriented the training programme and syllabi for training of controllers and Signals tradesmen under the supervision of the foreign experts which resulted in curtailing their stay in India and an additional saving of about Rs 22, 000/- also at pre-devaluation rates.

Throughout the installation Squadron Leader Menon has shown initiative, determination, sense of responsibility, devotion to duty, technical skill and professional leadership of a very superior caliber.

Flight Lieutenant Arvind Rutuparna Vaidya (6581) Technical/Armament while serving as the armament officer in a bomber squadron has designed and fabricated a number of armament test rigs, circuit testers and modifications. With the help of the test rig and the circuit tester the bombing circuit can be functionally tested even after bombs have been loaded in the aircraft. This device has greatly enhanced the operational potential of the bomber squadron in ensuring eliminating of hang-ups or faulty release of bombs.

The inventive ideas displayed by Flight Lieutenant Vaidya have contributed considerably towards devising equipment in the Air Force from indigenous resources which will go a long way in enhancing the operational potential of all bomber squadrons when these equipment and modifications are incorporated. The technical acumen and ingenuity of Flight Lieutenant Arvind Rutuparna Vaidya are worthy of high praise and recognition.

Flight Sergeant Pishori Lal has been posted in an operational fighter squadron in the Western sector since March, 1964. During this period, he has been the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Electrical Section.

Problems arising out of shortage of spares and ground equipment were faced by the squadron quite frequently. With his ingenuity, skill and hard labour, Flt Sgt Pishori Lal fabricated devices for testing electrical equipment used on the type of aircraft in his Squadron. His excellent guidance and supervision of airmen working under him, a majority of whom had never worked on this type of aircraft or equipment before, resulted in turning out most of them into reliable and efficient technicians.

During the operations against Pakistan, he worked day and night without any regard for his personal safety or comfort. He organised his workmen in such a manner that rectification of aircraft unserviceablity was undertaken on the spot as and when they occurred and this resulted in a much higher state of aircraft serviceability.

Flight Sergeant Pishori Lal's leadership, personal conduct and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.

Flight Sergeant Jacob John has been in a heavy Transport Squadron since June, 1963.

As the senior N.C.O. in Charge of the Daily Servicing section he has worked with untiring zeal, perseverance and cool efficiency. There have been times when the aircraft serviceability state of the squadron had been low. This senior N.C.O. worked round the clock and has, by his personal endeavour, enthusiasm and supervision brought up the serviceability of aircraft to a high state to enable the squadron to meet its commitments. His zeal, determination and single minded devotion to duty has been a source of inspiration to all airmen working with him. But for his personal efforts towards bringing up the serviceability state of aircraft of the squadron, it would have been difficult to meet even the day to day commitments.

He is an outstanding example of senior N.C.O., who has shown initiative, supervisory capabilities and perseverance beyond the call of duty. During his tenure in the squadron, he has rendered distinguished service of a high order in the best traditions of Air Force.

Sergeant Jyotirmay Neogi has been continuously serving in a helicopter unit in the eastern sector since February, 1962, after he volunteered for duties in operational areas.

He is a well-disciplined, conscientious, hard working and the most experienced technician in this trade in the squadron. His theoretical as well as practical knowledge in his trade is outstanding. All his superiors are highly impressed by his work and his juniors look forward to him for guidance and advice. He is always cheerful and even when working under adverse environments during long hours; he spares no pains in ensuring methodical and foolproof servicing of helicopters. Due to these qualities he has successfully enhanced the high morale for both aircrews and ground crews of his Squadron. It was to some extent due to his untiring efforts that the squadron was able to maintain a high state of helicopter serviceability and undertake heavy operational commit ments in the Mizo hills and North East Frontier Agency.

The outstanding devotion to duty, sincerity of purpose and exemplary work displayed by Sergeant Jyotirmay Neogi are in the best traditions of the Air Force.

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