Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Denis Anthony Lafontaine served at an operation Wing during a significant phase of transition from subsonic and transonic aircraft to supersonic aircraft. The strategic importance of the Wing required it to become fully operational with the new equipment in the shortest possible time. Despite many problems and numerous other commitments, he set to the task with dedication, skill and high professional ability. He has, to his credit, 2,700 hours of accident-free flying on a wide range of aircraft. He has flown over fifty sorties on the new supersonic aircraft and from this experience found solutions to urgent problems connected with the re-equipment task. In a short time, he reorganised the flying pattern and raised the combat status of the Wing.

Throughout, Wing Commander Denis Anthony Lafontaine displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Harendra Narain Bysak worked as Officerin-Charge Flying at an operational Wing from January 1969 to July 1970. During his service, he revised the operational Standing Orders and Procedures, planned a new Operations Room and streamlined the operational set­up of the Wing. By his untiring zeal, professional skill, initiative and devotion to duty Wing Commander Bysak raised the operational potential of the Wing significantly. His achieve ments contributed substantially towards the creditable performance of the Wing in Exercises held in May and June 1970.

Throughout, Wing Commander Harendra Narain Bysak displayed professional skill, initiative and devotion to duty.

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.

Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Robert Arnold Weir has commanded Fighter Squadrons of the Air Force for nearly eight years. Through his efforts, young pilots have learnt to fly supersonic aircraft on most complex missions. In 1969, his Squadron had the lowest accident rate of all fighter Squadrons of the Air Force. Due to his excellent leadership, his Squadron maintained a high state of operational readiness at all times. Wing Commander Weir is a qualified Flying Instructor, has a Master Green Instrument Rating and has flown over 3,000 hours on single­engined aircraft.

Throughout, Wing Commander Robert Arnold Weir displayed professional skill and devotion to duty

Awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for professional competence and exceptional devotion to duty.

Awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for professional ability and exceptional devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Mian Naranjan Singh commanded an operational Squadron from April 1967 to July 1970. During his tenure, inspite of shortage of experienced pilots he succeeded in improving the operational efficiency of the Squadron by intelligent planning, hard work and close supervision. His Squadron won a number of trophies in various competitions and gunnery meets held by his Air Command. The Squadron under his guidance consistently met the flying tasks allotted to it and participated with credit in every exercise held in the theatre.

Throughout, Wing Commander Mian Naranjan Singh displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Jagdish Chandra Sabherwal commanded with distinction an operational Squadron from December 1967 to July 1970. During his tenure, the Squadron was re-equipped with a new type of aircraft. Under his able leadership, it achieved fully operational status within the shortest possible time. He has flown over 4,000 hours, and is qualified as a Flying Instructor, Pilot Attack Instructor and Instrument Rating Examiner. His own skill and professional ability in combat has been an inspiration to the pilots under his command. His Squadron has completed all tasks assigned to it over the past two years in a commendable manner.

Throughout, Wing Commander Jagdish Chandra Sabherwal displayed professional skill, devotion to duty and leadership.

Wing Commander Pirthi Singh took over command of a fighter Squadron which was being re-equipped with a new type of aircraft. He personally carried out extensive trials to collect valuable data required for maximum exploitation of this aircraft. Re­equipment of this Squadron at a forward base demanded very close supervision and leadership. The problems associated with induction of this aircraft in the Indian Air Force were also unusual. Inspite of the difficulties, the Squadron became fully operational in remarkably short time and Wing Commander Singh himself attained the highest instrument rating on the new type of aircraft.

Throughout, Wing Commander Pirthi Singh displayed devotion to duty and leadership.

Wing Commander Suresh Sitaram Sane has a total of 4,765 hours of flying to his credit, of which a large number has been flown on operational sorties in the Eastern Sector. In January 1969, he assumed Command of a transport squadron and set out to improve its already high operational potential. This he succeeded in doing with a short period of time. By his efforts, a large number of aircrew also obtained their transport categories. Noteworthy amongst his achievements is the recovery of a damaged aircraft from an advanced landing ground where it had met with on accident. In the absence of adequate maintenance facilities at the Advance Landing Ground, the aircraft was only partially repaired but Wing Commander Sane flew it out successfully.

Throughout, Wing Commander Suresh Sita Ram Sane displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Lawrence Menezes was a Flight Commander in a supersonic fighter Squadron from April 1967 to June 1970. He carried out a total of over 2,100 hours of flying on jets, of which over 500 hours were on supersonic fighter aircraft. He is one of the experienced supersonic fighter pilots who has played an outstanding part in training younger pilots to a high degree of professional efficiency. He has achieved a Master Green Instrument rating. As the Pilot Attack Instructor of his Squadron, he has been instrumental in the achievement of high standards of gunnery by the pilots.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Lawrence Menezes displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Hersern Singh Gill was one of the first pilots to be selected to fly a highly sophisticated aircraft introduced in the Indian Air Force. Since then, he has been actively connected with this aircraft either a Flight Commander or as a Staff Officer. He holds a Master Green instrument rating on the aircraft, and is an Instrument Rating Instructor. Due to his efforts, his Squadron attained 100% instrument rating and a very high operational state on the new type of aircraft. He was selected by Air Command to give a low level aerobatic demonstration on the aircraft on two occasions during the visits of foreign dignitaries.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Hersern Singh Gill displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Annaswami Sridharan was posted to an operational unit whose role was to train pilots on a new type of supersonic aircraft. He was the only Flight Commander in the unit qualified to undertake this task. He had to devise the entire training syllabus and programme, prepare orders and operating procedures. He flew on an average four instructional sorties daily, in addition to conducting ground lectures and training of pilots under conversion. He worked beyond the call of duty regularly, and was successful in converting pilots on to the new and sophisticated aircraft.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Annaswami Sridharan displayed initiative, drive and processional skill.

Squadron Leader Dhirendra Singh Jafa work ed as Senior Flight Commander in an operational Squadron from February 1968 to July 1969. This Squadron was the first to be equipped with a new type of supersonic aircraft. Through his tireless efforts, zeal and dedication to duty, he ensured that the Squadron was fully operational in the shortest possible time.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Dhirendra Singh Jafa displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Mohan Chandra has been commanding a Helicopter Unit. He has to his credit more than 1,000 hours of operational flying on Transport aircraft and helicopters.

His flying career has been accident free. He has attained the highest Transport category and instrument rating. Under his guidance, the unit has been brought up to a high degree of operational efficiency. For more than two years, there has been no accident in his Unit. Except when grounded by weather, his unit has met all demands for flights made upon it. With the introduction of a categorization scheme for helicopter pilots, he organised training schedules for his unit and carried out the training programme single-handed. It is as a result of his efforts that, all pilots in his Unit have now been successfully categorized.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Mohan Chandra displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Madhavendra Banerji has been a Flight Commander of an operational squadron since June 1968. He has flown a total of 3,826 hours and holds a Master Green instrument rating with an Instrument Rating Instructor endorsement. He was one of the first batch of pilots who had undergone flying training on a new type of supersonic aircraft. He displayed considerable initiative and professional skill and in a relatively short time trained the pilots of Squadron to full operational status.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Madhavendra Banerji displayed professional skill, initiative and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Ishwar Ramchand Sonpar was commissioned in November 1954. After his basic flying training, he was converted to transport aircraft and became a transport pilot. In 1960-61, he became a qualified flying instructor after which he was posted to Training Establishments to train not only ab-initio pilots but also cadets selected for transport flying. During his career in the Air Force as a transport pilot, he was mainly flying the Dakota aircraft. He has to his credit over 1500 hours of operational flying on Dakota. In 1963, he joined an operational unit. Within a short period of two months, he became a fully operational pilot an another type of aircraft. In 1965, when this unit acquired another type of aircraft, he was converted on this type. He has to his credit 4,800 hours of flying in twin­engined and multiengined aircraft and has logged so far a total of 6,401 flying hours in his short career of 14 years. Besides undertaking important operational as well as other tasks, he has trained a number of pilots in the unit to operational standard. During the 1965 operations, Squadron Leader Sonpar flew many missions.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Ishwar Ramchand Sonpar displayed professional skill, initiative and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Vinod Behari Mathur was commissioned in December 1960. He was posted to an operational unit from 30th January 1967. He is the only qualified Alouette Pilot in this Centre. During his tenure of over 3 years, Squadron Leader Mathur has flown over 200 hours. In 1969-70, the unit undertook certain operations in NEFA. They involved helicopter landings at altitudes upto 11,000 feet at helipads for below the required standards. Inspite of these hazards, Squadron Leader Mathur undertook operational and support flights regularly to and from these helipads, displaying great courage and devotion to duty. But for the logistic support rendered by this pilot, many important operations would not have been feasible.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Vinod Behari Mathur displayed professional skill, courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Roopanagunta Saroj joined the Air Force as a Radar Operator in 1943. He successfully completed the Radar Mechanics Course in 1950 and later he was selected for flying duties as a Sig/Air at the Air Force Flying College, Jodhpur. He was awarded the ground, air and all­round trophy as the best trainee. He has flown over 3,000 hours of which 1,800 hours were in NEFA, Nagaland and the Mizo Hills areas. During the 1962 Chinese aggression, he flew a number of missions to far-flung areas in NEFA. He has to his credit over 4,500 hours of flying as aircrew in different types of aircraft. In 1963, he joined an operational unit. He has qualified for flying duties on all types of aircraft held by the unit. Since 1965, besides his professional duties, he has been employed on important staff duties. These duties require planning and execution of operations, proper liaison and co­ordination with various organisations.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Roopanagunta Saroj displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Ravinder Nath Bhardwaj has been serving at an Operational Training Unit for over two years. During this period, he has flown a total of 3350 hours. By his hard work and professional skill, he improved the flying skill and ground knowledge of the pilots under training. His capacity and willingness for hard work were a source of inspiration to all officers and airmen.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Ravinder Nath Bhardwaj displayed professional skill, initiative and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Buddho Deb Biswas was a Flight Commander in an operational transport Squadron for four years, during which he undertook numerous missions over the inhospitable terrain of NEFA, Nagaland, Mizo Hills, Bhutan and Sikkim. There he flew a total of 1,715 hours, which included 896 hours on operational sorties involving 600 landings, and 200 supply dropping missions. He has a record of 14 years of dedicated service and during this period has flown a total of 6,308 hours without accident, which include 2,424 hours of instructional flying. With thorough knowledge and exceptional professional skill, he met all emergencies with admirable results.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Buddho Dev Biswas displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Keith David Kingsley Lewis has been a Flight Commander in a fighter squadron for over three years. He has carried out a total of over 2,100 hours of flying on jet aircraft of which nearly 450 hours fire on supersonics. He has had an accidentfree record. He has achieved a Master Green instrument rating and has also been awarded the Instrument Rating Instructor's endorsement. He has had the onerous task of training and familiarising pilots of his unit in flying in all-weather conditions. Inspired by his example, the officers and airmen under him have worked cheerfully to maintain the Squadron at a high state of operational readiness.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Keith David Kingsley Lewis displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty,

On 23rd January 1970, Squadron Leader Ranjit Singh Bedi was leading a formation of four aircraft during a rehearsal of the Republic Day Flypast. When on the final run in, at approximately 500 ft above ground level, the port stabilator of his aircraft was hit and damaged by another aircraft in the formation, causing it to roll over on to its back. He showed remarkable presence of mind and professional skill in regaining control of his aircraft and thereby averting a serious mishap. He has been a Flight Commander in a Fighter Squadron for over three years. He has successfully converted a large number of pilots on the type of aircraft with which his Squadron is equipped.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Ranjit Singh Bedi displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Virendra Singh Pathania has been flying the Gnat aircraft since January 1964. He has carried out 692 hours of flying on this type and is one of the most experienced pilots on the Gnat. His profound knowledge of the aircraft has benefited many other pilots, whom he has trained with patience and understanding. His personal qualities in the air and on the ground have been a shining example for his juniors to emulate.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Virendra Singh Pathania has displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Trevor Joseph Fernandez has been associated with Gnat aircraft since September 1962. He has over 1,900 hours of accident-free flying experience, including more than 700 hours on the Gnat. During the IndiaPakistan conflict of 1965, he flew a number of operational sorties. He is an experienced Pilot Attack Instructor and has had great success in training pilots of his unit in gunnery. As a result of the excellent training imparted by him the aircrew trained by him secured high places in the Command Gunnery Meets.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Trevor Joseph Fernandez displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty,

Squadron Leader Subir Dey worked as a Flight Commander in a fighter Squadron from March 1968 to April 1970. He has been associated with the Gnat aircraft since 1965. During this period, he attained 365 accident-free flying hours. Of a total of 245 hours flown in his present Squadron, he has completed 164 hours in instructing trainee pilots in combat weaponry. He was given the task of training pilots who were new to the aircraft. He completed this task in the shortest possible time. The measure of his success in training has been manifest in two successive Inter-Squadron Weapon Meets, wherein the aircrew trained by him distinguished themselves.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Subir Dey displayed professional skill and devotion to duly.

Squadron Leader Poovala Govindarajulu Srivatsalu has flown over 5,200 hours on transport aircraft, which include over 800 hours of operational flying. He is also a flying instructor and has over 2,000 hours of instructional flying to his credit. He holds Transport Category 'A' and a Master Green instrument rating. His entire flying career has been accident­free. He has ensured high standards of training amongst his aircrew.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Poovala Govindarajulu Srivatsalu displayed professional skill and leadership.

Squadron Leader Puthettu Mani Kurien served with an operational squadron for a period of one and a half years. During this period, he carried out intensive operational flying recording 1,200 hours. In his 11 years of service, he has flown a total of 6,828 hours of which 2,500 hours are on operational sorties and 2,350 hours on instructional duties.

His untiring efforts towards training young Squadron pilots up to operational status brought about considerable improvement in the Squadron's operational capability. Inspite of adverse conditions, all operational tasks assigned to the Squadron were successfully completed.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Puthettu Mani Kurien displayed professional, skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Surendranath Kedarnath Gupta has been in Training Command as a Qualified Flying Instructor since April 1965. During this period, he has flown a total of 1645 hours of which 1,352 hours were on instructional duties. He has a total of 3,020 flying hours to his credit. On 26th June 1969, he was detailed to ferry a jet aircraft from Hakimpet to Kanpur. When about 70 miles from Nagpur, he experienced severe engine vibrations, which compelled him to reduce power, which in turn caused the aircraft to lose height. Despite this, the vibrations became more severe. On descending to about 10,000 feet, he estimated that by shutting down the engine to prevent further damage he would still be able to land at Nagpur airfield. He thereupon switched off the engine and brought the aircraft down to an engine­off landing at Nagpur airfield, and thus saved the aircraft.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Surendranath Kedarnath Gupta displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Joginder Singh has been serving in an operational Wing since July 1969. As Wing Navigation Briefing Officer, he organised the Station Briefing Room, Operations Room and intelligence Room. He also served for three and a half years in an operational Squadron and logged approximately 1,600 hours of flying. He successfully completed a course abroad on a new type of aircraft and his performance was adjudged as 'exceptional'. In his 10 ½ years of service, he has flown about 5,500 hours, which include approximately 800 hours of night flying.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Joginder Singh displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Surendra Kumar Kaushik has been posted to an operational Squadron since June 1965. During this period, while on a course abroad for conversion on to a new type of aircraft his performance was rated 'exceptional'. In the Squadron, besides his normal operational assignments, he has been responsible for training of newly posted Navigators. He has over 1,900 hours of flying to his credit. In the earlier assignments in the Eastern Sector, he had flown over 900 hours in difficult terrain. During his tenure as instructor in the Navigation School, most of his pupils passed out with high positions in the Course. He holds the Instructional Category 'A-2'. Throughout, Squadron Leader Surendra Kumar Kaushik displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant, (now Squadron Leader) Jogendra Chandra Hazarika has been a Flying Instructor since November 1965. During this period, he has flown approximately 1,600 hours, which include about 1,300 hours of instructional flying. Prior to his posting as an Instructor, he was serving in an operational Squadron in NEFA. He worked with zeal, imagination and devotion and made considerable contribution towards the flying standards of the Squadron. His performance during the Chinese aggression in 1962 was creditable.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Jogendra Chandra Hazarika displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Velayudhannair Girish Kumar has been serving with an operational Squadron since August 1966. In this Squadron, he has flown over 1,650 hours. In an earlier tenure with another operational Squadron, he carried out a number of trial landings at hitherto unused airfields. He flew numerous supply dropping missions in NEFA. During the earthquake in Nepal in 1966, he did commendable work in connection with reconnaissance flights and setting up of dropping zones. He has flown over 4,200 hours without accident.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Velayudhannair Girish Kumar displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Chandrakant Nijanand Bal has been serving with an operational Squadron since April 1967. He has flown a total of 1,710 hours. On 22nd January 1970, while returning from a mission at 40,000 ft. he observed an excessive voltage reading and immediately isolated the battery. This was followed by a sudden electrical flash and total electrical failure. He was forced to descend and divert to another airfield, flying with the help of a torch and an emergency light and steering with the help of a small emergency compass. During this descent both engines flamed out once and the starboard engine flamed out thrice at low altitude. Relighting of the engines was successful each time only because he had conserved the battery. He ensured a touchdown at the correct speed and at the beginning of the runway without any damage to the aircraft. By his presence of mind and skilful handling of the situation, he not only saved a valuable aircraft, but also the lives of the crew.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Chandrakant Nijanand Bal displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Yoginder Prakash has been serving in a Helicopter Unit in the Mizo Hills since November 1968. He has about 1,400 hours of operational flying to his credit under difficult flying conditions in hilly terrain. He has shown remarkable initiative and courage both on the ground and in the air. He has successfully carried out numerous special helicopter borne operations. In evacuating casualties from very small helipads, he has displayed great professional skill. His flying career has been accident-free.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Yoginder Prakash displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Bijoy Krishna Pandey has been serving in an operational squadron since April 1969. On 18th August 1970, he was detailed to fly on a Courier flight from Kanpur to Allahabad. After getting airborne at 1835 hours, when approximately 70 miles from Allahabad the port engine generator of the aircraft failed. The starboard propeller also started behaving in an erratic manner. The resulting violent 'snaky' motion made it difficult to control the aircraft. Unperturbed, he operated the propeller control to feathered position to check its erratic behaviour, but it kept wind-milling at low R.P.M. He then used the Auxiliary Power Plant generator to operate essential electrical service. Soon thereafter, the cockpit lights flickered and the cockpit was plunged in darkness. Smoke began to emanate from the Auxiliary Power Plant, ruling out a restart. As the sparks in the voltage regulator indicated an electric short circuit, the attempt to regain electrical power was also abandoned. By this time, the night had set in and a hand torch had to be used to scan the instruments. With vital equipment failing in quick succession, the situation was very grave. Flight Lieutenant Pandey, who had meanwhile turned back to return to base, finally succeeded in making safe single engine landing at Allahabad.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Bijoy Krishna Pandey displayed courage, high professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant Sohan Singh Heer has been serving in an operational Squadron since July 1967. On 18th December 1969, he was detailed to fly as No. 2 in a four aircraft formation. During the out­bound­leg when the formation was approximately 110 nautical miles away from base, his aircraft was struck by a large bird on the port side of the cockpit. The cockpit was extensively damaged leaving a big hole. His left collar bone was fractured rendering his left arm completely unusable. His crash helmet visor was smeared with blood and small pieces of bird flesh obstructed his vision. The radio aerial had broken with the bird's impact, thus causing total loss of radio communications. Undaunted by his personal injuries and the hazards, he broke off from the formation, set course towards his base and put his radar transponder to "distress" and navigated the aircraft to base and executed a safe landing.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Sohan Singh Heer displayed determination and professional skill of a high order.

Flight Lieutenant Somar Bikram Shah has been serving in an operational Squadron since September 1968. He was detailed to fly on an exercise on the night of 16th March 1970.

On completion of the exercise, he rejoined the circuit to land. When he lowered the under carriage on the down wind leg at a height of 500 metres above ground level, his ailerons jammed and the aircraft rolled over to left and began to lose height. However, by dint of sheer force, he regained partial control of the aircraft and managed to get it into straight and level flight at a very low altitude. He then retracted the under­carriage and climbed upto 1,000 metres prior to making a second attempt to land. This he did by skillfully handling the controls, without any damage to the aircraft. Having recovered control of the aircraft, he would have been justified in abandoning it at a safe altitude, in view of the emergency he had experienced earlier. But with courage and skill, he successfully brought down the aircraft safely.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Somar Bikram Shah displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Flying Officer (now Flight Lieutenant) Sushil Agnihotri has been serving in an operational Squadron since December 1968. On 7th October 1969, he was detailed to fly on a Sector reconnaissance sortie. On completion of the exercise, he joined the circuit for a landing. On the downwind leg, the undercarriage did not lock down due to a total hydraulic failure. He immediately selected the flying controls to manual and lowered the under­carriage with the emergency system. As he operated the flaps with the emergency system, the aircraft started a vicious roll to the left due to differential flap lowering. He tried to keep the aircraft under control, but the force required on the control column was so great that he was barely able to hold the aircraft level. He also observed that the brake accumulator pressure had gone down. He was by this time, running short of fuel. He decided to abandon the aircraft and transmitted a radio message to this effect. As he was attempting to head the aircraft in a safe direction and was gaining height to eject, he found that he could control the aircraft with only a slight and gradual loss of direction. Noticing this, he revised his decision to abandon the aircraft and decided to make one more attempt to land. The flying controls were in manual and even the aileron trimmer was not available to him. The brake pressure remained low and he was by now very short of fuel. However, he touched down right at the beginning of the runway, streamed the tail chute and shut down the engine. By judicious application of brakes, he managed to slow down the aircraft but then the brakes failed. Eventually, the aircraft went off the runway at very low speed and came to a stop without any damage.

Throughout, Flying Officer Sushil Agnihotri displayed professional skill, courage and devotion to duty.

Throughout, Master Warrant Officer Ajit Kishore Gupta displayed a high standard of professional skill and devotion to duty.

22860 Warrant Officer Maletira Achappa Ponappa has been serving in a Transport Squadron since 1961. He has flown a total of 5,320 hours of which 2,190 hours are on operational flying in the Ladakh and NEFA Sectors. During the Chinese aggression in October 1962, he was load master of an aircraft which carried vital Army equipment to a high altitude forward landing ground. He exhibited much skill in speedy and safe unloading, using an unorthodox method with improvised equipment. He has carried out more than 530 sorties and over 510 supply dropping missions in Ladakh and NEFA areas. On 14th March, 1963, while on a supply mission in Ladakh, his aircraft suffered a technical failure in which one of the elevator control cables snapped. Only a part of the load could be dropped, the remainder which was stuck, on the transporters prevented the cargo doors from closing. He took prompt action and manually ejected the load single handed, as the ejection crew had collapsed due to lack of oxygen. Although himself exhausted, he closed the cargo doors and then carried the unconscious members of the ejection crew to the crew cabin and administered oxygen to revive them. Immediately thereafter he was called upon by the Captain to assist with the controls. With his timely help, it was possible for the aircraft to be brought back to base.

Throughout Warrant Officer Maletira Achappa Ponnappa displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

400498 Warrant Signaller Satnam Singh Walia has been serving with a transport Squadron since September 1961. He has flown a total of 4,770 hours including 2,900 hours on operational missions in Jammu and Kashmir and NEFA. He has also assisted in training the new Signallers. He has always volunteered for additional missions and extra commitments, which has been a source of inspiration to his colleagues.

Throughout, Warrant Signaller Satnam Singh Walia displayed professional skill and devotion lo duty.

400612 Warrant Flight Engineer Trevor Edwin Gade has been serving in an operational Squadron since May 1961. During this period he has flown a total of 4,140 hours of which 2,225 hours have been on operational sorties in Ladakh and NEFA. During the India-Pakistan conflict of 1965, he flew a total of 102 hours on operational missions, completely disregarding his personal comforts. A number of aircraft which were stranded in forward areas were retrieved as a result of rectifications carried out by him under adverse weather and most trying conditions.

Throughout, Warrant Flight Engineer Trevor Edwin Gade displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

On 9th September 1969, Squadron Leader Narinder Singh Arora was conducting an aircrew categorisation test in a transport aircraft. During the flight, the aircraft suddenly skidded to the left. He and the second pilot, who was undergoing the test, struggled with the controls in an effort to keep the aircraft on an even keel. Having ensured that all the engines were functioning normally, he tried to trim the rudder with his trimming control but there was no response. Due to mechanical defect, the rudder trimmer had moved to fhe fully left position and was not responding to corrections. In spite of the efforts of both the pilots, the aircraft continued to lose direction and height. The incident occurred at a height of 2.3 KM and 15 miles west of the airfield. Eventually, Squadron Leader Arora fertrhered No. 4 engine and increased power of No. 1 aind this combination gave him just enough directional control to bring the aircraft down to a safe landing.

In this action, Squadron Leader Arora displayed cool courage and high professional still and thus saved a valuable aircraft and the lives of its crew.