Wing Commander Bir Inder Singh took over command of a fighter squadron in July 1974. He has flown over 4000 hours and has participated, with distinction, In the IndoPak Conflicts of 1965 and 1971. Due to his personal attention Wing Commander Bir Inder Singh has maintained an excellent flight safety record over the past two years. During the Inter-Squadron Gunnery Meet, 1975, his Squadron was the best Squadron in front­gun firing and bombing. When the squadron was required to operate a detachment of aircraft from a transport base, Wing Commander Bir Inder Singh undertook and executed this task effectively. Wing Commander Bir Inder Singh has displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Squadron Leader Sudesh Chand Khuller has been a member of a front-line jet fighter squadron since September, 1973. During this period, he has flown 464 hours. Being an experienced QFI, he was largely responsible for the training of young pilots with the result that the squadron now has a high proportion of operationally prepared pilots and the entire squadron holds current instrument ratings. During the tenure of Squadron Leader Sudesh Chand Khuller, the squadron operated five detachments and, every time, planned tasks were completed without untoward incident. Squadron Leader Khuller has so far flown 4000 hours on single­engined aircraft of which 1636 hours have been devoted to the training of ab­initio pilots.

Squadron Leader Sudesh Chand Khuller displayed courage, leadership and devotion to duty of a high order.

Squadron Leader Shashi Dharan Panicker has been with the Paratroopers Training School as a Staff Instructor since June. 1971. He is presently holding a Master Green category on Packet aircraft with a Command examiners ticket. His professional competence is evident from the manner in which he has handled flight emergencies. On one such occasion on 31st December, 1974, while on a mission to airlift 20 passengers and 2000 Kgs of service load, he encountered a perilous situation of a runaway propeller during the crucial stages of the take off, which caused the aircraft to swerve violently, a few feet above the ground. Maintaining his composure and with his skill Squadron Leader Panicker brought the aircraft under control and warded off what might have been a serious accident. Squadron Leader Panicker is an instructor of considerable experience. He has flown 1450 instructional hours out of total flying record of 5350 hours.

Squadron Lender Shashi Dharan Panicker has displayed courage, professional competence and devotion to duty of a high order.

Squadron Leader Chetan Swaroop Kataria has been the Officer Commanding of a VIP Communication Helicopter Unit since May, 1974. He has a total of 3300 hours of accident free flying to his credit and has been responsible for the training of many new pilots and in improving the categorization state of his unit to a very high operational standard. He not only discharged his duties well out also undertook numerous mercy missions find flood relief operations in Punjab and Rajasthan in 1975. Because of his exceptional organizational ability, guidance find devoted supervision, the unit flew 3600 accident free hours within a period of 19 months. He successfully organised the development of a battery-operated portable refuelling rig for Chetak helicopter, on no cost basis, in his unit, which is a creditable achievement.

On 16th October 1975, Squadron Leader Kataria, while on a night training flight noticed that his helicopter had developed engine trouble due to material failure, with total loss of engine torque and heavy reduction in the rotor RPM. He faced the hazardous situation calmly and landed safely without any damage to the helicopter.

Squadron Leader Chetan Swaroop Kataria has displayed courage, high professional skill and devotion to duly of a high order.

Squadron Leader Vijay Kumar Mohotra was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in April, 1964. He has a total of 3010 hours of accident free flying to his credit of which 2218 are on helicopters. Since December, 1975, he has been commanding a Helicopter Unit. On 23rd May, 1976, Squadron Leader Mohotra undertook the evacuation of a seriously injured mountaineer from the Trishul Base Camp located at a height of 15,300 feet. The helipad constructed there by the team of mountaineers was totally unsuitable for the safe landing of helicopter. Realising the urgency of the mission, Squadron Leader Mohotra carried out a detailed reconnaissance of the area and expertly decided that a landing could be carried out if one of the camp tents was removed and the area made available for the landing. This was indicated to the mountaineers and the tent was removed. Thereafter, Squadron Leader Mohotra landed his helicopter safely and carried out the assigned task.

On 26th May, 1976, after having completed a long and arduous sortie, Squadron Leader Mohotra was once again called upon to carry out the evacuation of seriously injured civilians from a remote area in the close vicinity of the Northern Border. He set off immediately with two other helicopters to a helipad nearest to where the casualties were. In the meantime, as immediate medical assistance was indicated and helicopter rescue facilities were not expected, the casualties were being moved by stretcher-bearers along a difficult and narrow mountain path. Realising the urgency to evacuate the casualties to bet ter equipped hospital, Squadron Lender Mohotra immediately set about organize rescue operations of injured on the move. He landed his helicopter in turbulent and gusty weather conditions in a boulder strewn tiny river bed. His outstanding performance in this operation inspired his formation pilots.

Throughout Squadron Leader Vijay Kumar Mohotra displayed courage, flying skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Squadron Leader Bhanwar Singh Rathore was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in August, 1964. He has an Impressive total of 5600 flying hours, flying as many as 650 hours in one year alone. During his present tenure with the Air Headquarters Communication Squadron, he has flown 2000 hours, mostly on VIP tasks. He holds the highest category and Instrument Rating on HS-748 aircraft. He has had three engine failures on Devon aircraft. In all the three cases, squadron Lender Rathore executed a safe landing with admirable courage and flying skill. During the 1971 operations Squadron Leader Rathore flew day and night to supply troops in the Eastern Sector. He put in 200 flying hours, making a significant contribution to the war effort

Squadron Leader Bhanwar Singh Rathore displayed courage, high professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.