Wing Commander Arun Kanti Mukherjee has been one of the pioneer supersonic pilots of the Indian Air Force. He has a total of 2,410 hours of flying to his credit and has flown over 1,200 sorties in the supersonic aircraft. In June 1967, he took over the command of a squadron which was responsible for the conversion training of pilots on the supersonic type. A large number of pilots have passed out from this squadron without a single serious mishap. Under the able leadership of Wing Commander Mukherjee, the Squadron has not only become a good conversion unit but if has also achieved a high degree of operational preparedness. In 1968, the squadron received three trophies for the best maintained supersonic squadron, the best squadron and the individual rocket trophy.

Throughout, Wing Commander Arun Kant Mukherjee displayed courage, determination and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Bhupendera Nath Misra has been in command of a Fighter Squadron in the Indian Air Force for the last 18 months. During this period, the Squadron has carried out extensive training and has participated creditably in all the exercises held by Headquarters, Western Air Command. The Squadron was assessed as the best of its type in the Command for the year 1968-69. The enthusiasm and the sense of purpose created by this officer amongst the personnel of his Squadron helped him to set up a record in getting the entire Squadron instrument rated for the first time. The present high state of operational readiness of the Squadron is due to the personal example set by the officer.

Throughout. Wing Commander Bhupendera Nath Misra displayed courage and professional skill.

Wine Commander Cecil Vivian Parker formed an operational training unit in October 1966 and was the Unit's first Commanding Officer. He is responsible for the high level of instructional technique, standardisation and quality of pupils that have passed through the unit. From its inception, the Unit has fulfilled two roles, viz. Training and Operational. Accomplishment of these two roles in the face of various difficulties was due to the high organising ability of Wing Commander Parker. It has been solely due to his efforts that the Unit successfully met all commitments with the highest utilisation rate of the aircraft and the lowest accident rate.

Throughout, Wing Commander Cecil Vivian Parker showed courage and exceptional devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Dalbir Yadav has been commanding a squadron since 4th October 1966. During this period he has devoted himself whole-heartedly towards bringing up and maintain his unit at a very high state of operational readiness. He has strived hard in training young and raw pilots to "Fully Operational" status. He has also rendered valuable help to the air staff in Headquarters Western Air Command, in planning and executing the Gunnery-Meet Exercises which are so necessary for continuous assessment of the operational standard of the squadron.

Throughout,. Wing Commander Dalbir Yadav has shown courage and exceptional devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Denzil Satur has been in Command of a Squadron for the last 2 years. He has a distinguished record in operational flying and has a total of about 3,507 hours on fighters to his credit. Under his leadership the Squadron has fulfilled all the tasks allotted to it efficiently. His professional ability in combat flying has been a source of inspiration of the pilots under his command. Inspite of heavy odds he has brought the squadron to a high standard of combat readiness.

Throughout, Wing Commander Denzil Satur dis played courage, leadership and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Jayaram Nilkanth Jatar has been commanding a squadron since August 1967. His zeal and untiring efforts has led to an increase in the monthly flying hours and a substantial reduction in the accident/ incident rate. The Squadron has also won the Command Gunnery Trophy for 1969. During his command, the Squadron was called upon to operate a number of detachments. He successfully met these commitments. He has also successfully devised a light weight starting system to enhance the squadron's mobility besides ways to improve the serviceability of the ground equipment. He was the top scorer during 1969 Command Gunnery Meet. Once when one aircraft had force landed at a landing ground and its retrieval became a problem due to the surrounding obstructions and the uneven surface of the runway area he, with his exceptional airmanship, was able to execute a take-off and bring the aircraft safely to the base.

Throughout, Wing Commander Jayaram Nilkanth Jatar displayed courage, devotion to duty and exceptional airmanship.

On 27th February 1969, Wing Commander Kshirode Krishna Sen was flying a jet, giving pre­solo instruction to a trainee pilot under conversion. While on the final approach, about ten kilometers away from the airfield, the aircraft engine suddenly flamed out. He immediately took control of the rapidly sinking aircraft and ordered the trainee pilot to eject. The ejection process jeopardised his own safety because it blackened the periscope and totally cut out his front view. In spite of this, with determination and courage he kept direction and control of the aircraft and eventually crash-landed it at the airfield. Thus, he not only saved the lives of many civilians on the ground but also made it possible for the administration to investigate the cause of the engine failure and take remedial action.

Throughout, Wine Commander Kshirode Krishna Sen displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Krishna Kant Saini joined the IAF in January 1953. During his service career, he has held many important flying appointments, including the command of a Squadron. He was detailed to carry out environmental trials of four different types of helicopter during the period November 1968-August 1969. These trials entailed flying at very high altitudes in difficult terrain and in adverse weather conditions. On a number of occasions, he faced hazardous situations with exceptional skill and courage. On the 8th May 1969, during the course of an evaluation trial, he landed and took off from an altitude of 22,500 feet bettering a world record for any class of helicopter. Throughout, Wing Commander Krishan Kant Saini displayed exceptional skill and courage.

Wing Commander Mandokollathur Gopalaswamy Ramachandra was commanding a squadron from 18th July 1966 to 16th August 1969. Although there were no firing ranges available at or near his base with proper planning he effectively trained his air and ground crews in the various operational roles. He was always able to put more than the required number of aircraft on the line with fully operational crew on various air exercises ordered by the Command and Air Headquarters. His crews executed the tasks assigned to them successfully. The average monthly flying and utilization rate of the squadron's aircraft, during his stewardship, had been the maximum with minimum rate of accidents/incidents.

Throughout, Wing Commander Mandokollathur Gopalaswamy Ramachandra displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Mohinder Singh Bawa took over command of a fighter squadron in 1968. The Squadron was just then being raised and equipped with the latest aircraft. With limited resources, he had to create a base from which the subsequent squadrons of the Indian Air Force could be formed. Apart from training of personnel on a highly sophisticated aircraft, the squadron was faced with many difficulties in the induction of this equipment. During the short period of one year, the squadron reached a fully operational status; the officer set a personal example by attaining the highest instrument rating on supersonic aircraft.

Throughout, Wing Commander Mohinder Singh Bawa displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Kapil Dev Chadha took over as Commanding Officer of a Transport Squadron in 1967. During the period of his command, the squadron has accomplished the air maintenance task of 12,000 tonnes in one year, flying over 12,000 accident free hours. This has been an all­time record in the squadron history. During the last 15 years, the officer has flown over 4,500 hours as Captain without any accident and has held the highest professional qualification.

Throughout, Wing Commander Kapil Dev Chadha displayed courage, leadership and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Surendra Nath Kawlra has been commanding a squadron for the last 15 months. Throughout this period, he has applied himself to the task of increasing the operational efficiency of his squadron with commendable energy and enthusiasm. He has ensured a high standard of performance by his squadron not only in the primary task assigned to it but also in other fields of service activity. During the period of his command, the squadron has taken part in many exercises and its consistently good performance has undoubtedly been, in a large measure, due to his leadership. For his performance during an Air Exercise, he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff. Not only did the squadron achieve the best overall results, thereby winning the Annual Air Trophy, but Wing Commander Kawlra's own individual performance was outstanding and earned him the trophy for the best individual bombing.

Throughout, Wing Commander Surendera Nath Kawlra displayed leadership and exceptional devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Surinder Singh has been commanding a transport squadron since September 1966. This squadron has been primarily responsible for the air maintenance of far-flung areas on the Northern border. Despite many difficulties, he reorganised the Squadron which enabled it to meet special commitments at short notice. He has flown over 1,500 hours in the hazardous terrain in NEFA, Naga Hills, etc. He has also undertaken numerous flights for flood relief in the country. He served with UNEF in the Congo in 1960, where he flew a number of missions in complete disregard of his safety. Throughout, Wing Commander Surinder Singh displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Vijay Chand Mankotia has been a transport pilot since January 1951. In June 1967, he assumed command of a Transport Squadron. He worked out a detailed training and operational programme with the aim of achieving the maximum operational status in the shortest possible time. His greatest contribution in building up the operational status was the personal lead he took in all matters connected with the various operational tasks allotted to the squadron. He is an able and experienced flier with a total of 4550 hours of which 1280 hours are operational hours; he is personally capable of undertaking any flying task. Throughout, Wing Commander Vijay Chand Mankotia displayed courage and determination.

Squadron Lender Birendra Datt Dangwal has been In Command of a Helicopter Unit from November 1965. He has flown 730 accident free hours including 470 hours on operational commitments. Further, being a qualified Flying Instructor he has also been responsible for conducting the operational training of his pilots. His efforts have enabled the Squadron to fulfill its operational tasks creditably. During the flying in North Bengal in 1968, his unit airlifted supplies and evacuated casualties and marooned people from difficult and inaccessible places. He fulfilled the task by skillful handling of the air and around crew.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Birendra Datt Dangwal displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Brijesh Dhar Jayal worked as a test pilot from 26th September 1966 to 30th December 1968. During this period, the officer was associated with a number of trials on various aircraft. He was responsible for working out the radii of action and take off techniques in various configurations in respect of a new type of supersonic aircraft. He successfully evolved its gunnery techniques and helped in the adoption of the right and simpler use of the gun sight. Again, he was responsible for pinpointing the faults of in new trainer aircraft and for suggesting remedies to make it safe for flying. His contributions in many other fields of military aviation also have been significant. He volunteered to undertake every trial given to his unit. His performance in every case was commendable. He put in long working hours in an effort to complete the trials in the shortest possible time.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Brijesh Dhar Jayal displayed courage, initiative and determination.

Squadron Leader Debendra Nath Mukerjee was posted to a communication squadron in October 1966 on completion of conversion training on to a new type of transport aircraft. During training, he was adjudged one of the best pilots in his course. On joining the Squadron, he was instrumental in organising the initial training on the type and its operational trials. He has flown more than 840 hours on the type without a single incident. He has also flown in Northern and Eastern Sectors where he was employed in Air Transport and Supply Dropping missions from 1960 till September 1966. During this time, he flew over 1,500 hours in operational areas. He also flew vital air supply missions during the India-Pakistan conflict in 1965. He has flown about 5,200 hours and has the distinction of having an accident free record. In all the commitments given to Squadron Leader Mukerjee, he has discharged his duties with utmost skill and enthusiasm.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Debendra Nath Mukerjee displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Dalip Singh Sabherwal has been engaged in airlift operations for nearly six years. He has flown over 6,700 hours, of which 1,670 hours were on operational missions. In December 1967, he was detailed to study the feasibility of heavy transport aircraft operation in one of the border sectors. He personally undertook most of the trial flights in the difficult terrain of the area and finally helped in compiling the operating procedures which made subsequent operations in the area both productive and safe. When he was a Detachment Commander in one of the operational areas in March 1969, he accomplished a record airlift of over 1,000 tonnes in a month with only a few aircraft.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Dalip Singh Sabherwal displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Dinanath Nadkarni has flown over 2,000 hours, His performance in flying has been outstanding. While comparatively junior, he became a member of the only Aerobatic Team of the I.A.F. During his last 4 years' stay in an operational Squadron, he has flown a total of 955 sorties, out of which 112 sortie were by night. He has always volunteered for the most difficult task in the Squadron whether in the air or on the ground. His courage, leadership and initiative have been a source of inspiration to all the men in the Squadron.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Dinanath Nadkarni displayed courage, leadership and initiative.

Squadron Leader Kirpal Singh has been engaged in flight testing of various high speed aircraft since April 1967. In this assignment, he has flown 400 hours. His approach towards production testing has always been intelligent and dynamic and his ability to recognise the defects of aircraft in the air has helped the ground crew immensely in their task. He has displayed cool courage in the face of grave emergencies in inclement weather conditions.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Kirpal Singh displayed cool courage and devotion to duty.

After completion of his conversion training on to a new type of aircraft, Squadron Leader Kuthirodan Bhaskaran was posted to a Communication Squadron in February 1967 for navigational duties. During training, he was adjudged as exceptional in his batch. After arrival in the squadron, he undertook the conversion of other navigators in the squadron on the type and successfully achieved this task in a remarkably short time. As Navigator Instructor, he has previously worked in Navigation School and in Transport Training Wing and has the distinction of having his pupil navigators pass out on top of the course list. He has flown about 5,000 hours, of which 1,300 hours have been during his tenure in the Communication Squadron. His hard work and very high professional skill is responsible for bringing up the standard of Navigators in the squadron.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Kuthirodan Bhaskaran displayed courage and professional skill.

Squadron Leader Mangatil Karakad Chandrasekhar joined a transport squadron about a year ago. During this period, he has carried out over 800 hours of operational flying, totally unmindful of operational fatigue. He has also contributed substantially to the buildup of operational pilots in the Squadron and the training of the newly posted officers. He holds the highest instrument rating and is an A-2 instructor. In all his assignments, he has always displayed initiative of the highest order.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Mangatil Karakad Chandrasekhar displayed courage, initiative and professional skill.

Squadron Leader Norbert Joseph Misquitta has been in Training Unit as a Flying Instructor since February 1966. During this period, he has flown a total of 1,300 hours including 950 instructional hours. On 12th August 1968, when his engine flamed out on the final approach, he took speedy relight action and landed the aircraft safely. Again, in February 1969, he went into an inverted spin while demonstrating a flick on top of a loop. He ordered the co­pilot to eject but himself continued with the emergency recovery actions, and finally managed to recover the aircraft from the spin, and land it safely.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Norbert Joseph Misquitta displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Naresh Kumar who has been commanding a Helicopter Unit was asked to undertake missions for providing relief to persons affected by floods in North Bengal in 1968. He rescued 9 persons on 5th October 1968, during one such mission. In the evening of the same day, flying as copilot, he saw a number of people surrounded by flood water. They were in grave danger and needed immediate rescue. It was already dusk and the visibility was going down However as, commanding officer of the unit, Squadron Leader Naresh Kumar ordered the pilot to attempt rescue. Since landing was not possible, the helicopter was kept hovering a few inches from the ground. When marooned persons could not get into the helicopter, being too weak he, disregarding his personal safety, jumped out of the helicopter and managed to put three persons on board. In a like manner, he helped the rescue of some more marooned persons on 6th October 1968. It was the result of his planning that in 14 days 650 tonnes of food and equipment were air­dropped and over 1,400 people rescued.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Naresh Kumar displayed courage, initiative and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Rajagopal Jayagopal has been a Flight Commander of an operational squadron since October 1968. He has trained and qualified a number of pilots on the type and has thus substantially improved the operational potential of the squadron. He has flown 5100 hours, including 2,190 accident free instructional hours. On 16th January 1967 during an instructional sortie, while the pupil was carrying out an asymmetric landing, a sudden loss of elevator control was experienced on final approach. He took over the controls and landed the aircraft safely. Again on 22nd April 1969, he was carrying out an air test when the ramp door got stuck in fully down position. In this situation, the ground clearance while landing is only 1¼". He again demonstrated a high standard of airmanship and professional skill by landing the aircraft without any damage.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Rajagopal Jayagopal displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Satish Kumar Sareen has been flying fighter aircraft continuously since 1957; he has flown 2,140 hours on Jet aircraft. He took part in operation "Vijay" in December 1961 against the Portuguese and a few months later, achieved excellent results on the P.A.I. Course, breaking three Armament records. During his tenure as Flight Commander in a squadron between 1964 and 1966, he successfully led 10 operational missions in the Mizo hills. In the following year, while serving in another squadron, he flew over 200 hours in a short time. He has been serving as a Flight Commander in a squadron since May 1967. He has flown over 350 hours on supersonic aircraft. He obtained a "Master Green" Instrument Rating in the early stages of his squadron flying. He has set a fine example to all the pilots in the Squadron and has produced an exceedingly good instrument and operational state. Throughout, Squadron Leader Satish Kumar Sareen displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Shashikumar Samuel Ram das has been working as the Engineering Officer of a testing unit since February 1966. He has also put in over 150 hours of flying. It was entirely due to his initiative, hard work and supervision that ground equipment was fabricated and servicing schedules were made out for a new type of aircraft in the unit. This in turn enabled the unit to continue flight tests, as a result of which recommendations for a substantial number of modifications and improvements could be made. He also carried out a close study of the ground equipment supplied by M/s. H. A.L. and made valuable recommendations regarding its re-design. It is because of his unfailing efforts that the ground equipment which will now go into service will be a vast improvement on the one initially supplied by the manufacturers. Squadron Leader Ramdas was also responsible for carrying out various systems assessments on the type. Here, he not only applied his knowledge as an engineering officer but also as a pilot, with the result that once again recommendations made by him when introduced will make servicing of the aircraft easier.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Shashikumar Samuel Ramdas displayed exceptional devotion to duty, initiative and professional skill.

Squadron Leader Vivian Christopher Goodwin is serving as Flight Commander in an operational squadron. He has flown 1,350 hours on type. He took part in the Goa operations, the Congo operations and the 1965 conflict with Pakistan. On 29th November 1968, he took off on a cross-country flight. A few minutes after take-off, he lost aileron control due to a fire in the starboard wing. Even though the nature of the emergency warranted abandoning the aircraft, he brought it safely to base. While doing so, he avoided flying over populated areas, even though this prolonged the flight and greatly increased the danger to him personally.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Vivian Christopher Goodwin displayed courage and professional skill.

Flight Lieutenant Ashutosh Kumar Tripathi joined a flying unit in 1964. During his tenure in this Squadron, he has flown 2,586 hours, of which more than 1,500 hours were on air maintenance operations over the hazardous mountainous terrain in the Eastern area. He has always shown willingness to undertake the most arduous and demanding missions and has successfully accomplished the tasks. He has thus been a source of inspiration to others in the Squadron.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Ashutosh Kumar Tripathi displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Manjit Singh Dhillon, General Duties (Pilot), has flown a total of 1,375 hours in forward areas in less than three years. He has flown 2,305 hours on helicopter aircraft without a single accident; most of the flying was over difficult hilly terrain. On 27th March 1967, two helicopters, one of which was flown by Flight Lieutenant Dhillon, were sent out on detachment to a forward area to carry out a search and rescue mission for an Army patrol which was lost in that extensive marshy area. Flight Lieutenant Dhillon carried out a very long hazardous search of the area, which had hardly a ground feature to pinpoint and was able to locate the lost patrol. After finding a suitable spot, he landed and rescued the patrol. During his flying career, Flight Lieutenant Dhillon has worked hard to train the unit pilots. Thus, his unit has always been in a high state of operational preparedness.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Manjit Singh Dhillon displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Om Prakash Singh has been serving with a heavy transport squadron since December 1965 in his fourth operational tenure. He has flown a total of 5,620 hours of which 2,260 hours were in the operational areas of J&K and the Eastern Sector. As the Signals Leader of the Squadron, he has imparted an extremely high standard of training to the Signaller crews which is reflected in a very commendable categorisation state and which in turn has contributed significantly towards the winning of the best categorised squadron trophy. He has enhanced the operational potential of one of the important transport squadrons by preparing its crews to operate the aircraft at all times in its multifarious roles.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Om Prakash Singh displayed courage and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Rohiton Burjor Framjee has been employed in a transport Squadron since October 1966. He has to his credit 2,600 hours of flying out of which he flew about 900 hours during one year at times flying 100 hours a month. On 17th September 1968, while taking off at full all-up take off weight the jet pack caught fire and its rear portion flew off. The aircraft was in such a critical stage that the take off could not be abandoned. He courageously continued with the take off, controlled the engine fire and landed back the aircraft safely. Again, on 8th January 1969, soon after take off in a transport aircraft at maximum take off weight, when several passengers were on board, he experienced an abnormal vibration with a severe blurring of the instrument panel because of the port outer tyre burst. He immediately decided to land the aircraft on the remaining runway length, which was not much. He skillfully managed to stop the aircraft at the O.R.P. During this run of only 600 yards, the inner left tyre had also burst and soon after the port brake caught fire. Mustering the available personnel and using the portable fire extinguishers on board the aircraft he quickly controlled the fire and thus saved valuable lives and an aircraft. Once again, during an engine failure in a forward area he skillfully controlled the emergency, completed the mission and subsequently carried out a single engine safe landing at base.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Rohiton Burjor Framjee displayed courage, professional skill and determination.

Warrant Officer Chanan Singh Gill joined the Royal Indian Air Force in 1944. He received training as a Parachute Jumping Instructor at Chaklala. During the post partition period, he was called upon to be in the first team of instructors selected for establishing the Paratroopers' Training School. Ever since then, he has been associated with experimental trial drops to develop and manufacture suitable equipment for para­drops. The trials included live jumps with new type of airborne valises, airborne kit bags, airborne stretchers and dropping of various types of containers and other heavy equipment. Many of the trials have been carried out in difficult terrain. Once when he was the leader of the ejection crew conducting a double platform dropping trial from a heavy transport aircraft, using the aircraft extractor system to deliver the load, the platform release strap was accidentally disengaged while the aircraft was over a village with the DZ still a mile away. The result was that the platform began to slide out of the aircraft. Realising the danger in letting the load drop on the village, which could have caused much damage to life and property, he immediately caught hold of the lashings attached to the platform and arrested its movement at the risk or being pulled out of the aircraft himself. He continued to hold the lashings in place at great risk; to his life till the aircraft was able to drop the load over the DZ.

Throughout, Warrant Officer Chanan Singh Gill displayed courage and determination.

Flight Sergeant Samuel Ponniah James Martin has been serving in a heavy transport squadron since April 1964 as a Flight Gunner and Load Master. Though he joined the squadron as an ab­initio aircrew, his determination, initiative and keenness soon made him one of the best operational aircrew in the squadron. He has flown 2,173 hours of which 1,405 hours, were in the hilly terrain along the border. This senior non­commissioned officer has always cheerfully volunteered for difficult and hazardous flying missions and has shouldered difficult task, on the ground in complete disregard of his personal safety and comforts. He has contributed significantly towards the operational potential of the squadron by formulating new loading and unloading procedures.

Throughout, Flight Sergeant Samuel Ponniah James Martin displayed courage and devotion to duty.