Wing Commander Pradeep Wellesly Karvinkop (16537) AE (M) was commissioned in the IAF on 10 Aug 1981. He is posted as Senior Engineering Officer (SEO) of Air HQ Communication Squadron since 30 Aug 1999.

Wg Cdr Karvinkop has been dynamic AE officer throughout his career in the IAF. His outstanding performance has been his way of life from the beginning as shown by his previous achievements of Commendation by AOC-in-C, WAC in 1991 and by CAS in 1995.

During his tenure as SEO, with systematic planning, close supervision and extraordinary foresight, Wg Cdr Karvinkop ensured a high serviceability state of B-737-200, HS-748 and Mi-8 aircraft held with this squadron. He has ensured close monitoring of spares and training requirements of each trade. The professional skills of Wg Cdr Karvinkop are regularly put to test in the demanding environment of VVIP flights undertaken by this squadron. Under his leadership, the squadron has contributed towards projecting the Indian Air Force as a professional and highly competent force amongst Indian and Foreign dignitaries. His dedicated efforts resulted in improving flight and maintenance safety at this premier squadron. Wg Cdr Karvinkop is an able and effective instructor who constantly updates and trains his subordinates in latest maintenance practices. He is regularly invited for guest lectures at the Institute of Flight Safety and various Technical Type Training (TETTRA) Schools.

The squadron was tasked to convey the Vice President of India to Indonesia and Cambodia. At D'Jalota due to incorrect handling by the ground handling agency the tow bar got jammed in the nose wheel assembly. Using his professional acumen and depth of knowledge, Wg Cdr Karrvinkop got the nose wheel untangled and thus avoided an embarrassment to the IAF and nation.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Pradeep Wellesly Karvinkop.

Wing Commander Rajiv Dayal Mathur (16772) F (P) was commissioned on 04 Jun 1982 as a fighter pilot in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has held several important command and staff appointments including Commanding Officer of a MiG-21 Bis Squadron. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College.

Wg Cdr Mathur assumed command of a fighter squadron on 10 Jun 2000. Under his command the squadron has had an unblemished record, having so far flown over 4500 hours and trained 18 young pilots without any loss of precious aircrew or aircraft. During the Command level Air-to-Ground Armament meet "Ekalavya 2001", Wg Cdr Mathur displayed very high professionalism by himself leading three missions. His squadron won four out of the seven coveted trophies. The squadron was also adjudged the Best Fighter Squadron in South Western Air Command.

Following the earthquake, which rocked the region of Kutch on 26 Jan 2001, Wg Cdr Mathur was tasked with rescue operations outside the Air Force camp. Even as the aftershocks continued to occur, he and his squadron personnel worked round the clock for over three days and in the process rescued 53 people trapped in the debris. Barely ten days later, his squadron was required to recommence operations from another base. Despite the upheaval caused by the eart hquake and the consequent hardships. Wg Cdr Mathur succeeded in motivating his squadron personnel to remain focused on organisational goals. Leading by personal example, he was able to provide renewed purpose and direction to the personnel of the squadron, who rose to the occasion by achieving the allotted tasks even under such difficult conditions.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Rajiv Dayal Mathur.

Wing Commander Mrigender Singh (17324) F (P) was commissioned on 22 Dec 1983 in the IAF. He has been working in the Additional Directorate of Signal Intelligence, Air Headquarter since 08 May 2001. Since his posting to this Dte, the officer's dynamism and professional dedication to achieve excellence has left an indelible mark on the Signal Intelligence Organisation.

As a General Staff Officer, Wg Cdr Singh has a clear thinking with definite organisational goals in sight. Even though working in a highly technical environment, Wg Cdr Singh, with his zeal to learn and untiring zest to achieve the goals, soon acquired all the skills required to guide the Organisation. Soon after his posting he visited various field units and carried out an in-depth study of their working. His deep involvement resulted in recognition of potential weak links in the intelligence gathering apparatus. Bearing in mind the delays and difficulties in immediate revamping of the Organisation, he devised indigenous methods and formulated new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for optimal utilisation of operational equipments and resources. With his vast operational experience Wg Cdr Singh ensured trem endous improvement in the analysis of day-to-day Sig Int inputs.

With his high leadership qualities, he motivated his subordinates working in this Dte. He streamlined the working of various sections to improve the quality of output. During his tenure, apart from performing his job as GSO-1/ SI-7A, he also actively partic ipated in 'Op Prakaram' with one of the front line fighter Sqns. With his relentless and untiring hard work he produced many Special Reports on various aspects of Pakistan Air Force which have immensely contributed in building up a comprehensive picture about the Op preparedness of the PAF at Air Headquarter.

For his relentless hard work, unwavering loyalty to service, devotion to duty and Operational skills of the high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Wing Commander Mrigender Singh.

Squadron Leader Tarique Jamil Ahmed Khan (18072) F (P) was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in the IAF in 1985. A highly accomplished flier with over 3000 hours of flying experience, he is a Fighter Combat Leader, Qualified Flying Instructor and a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He holds 'Three Stars' for accident free flying and 'Master Green' instrument rating. He has served as a flying instructor in a flying training establishment and as flight commander in a Fighter Squadron in earlier assignments.

Sqn Ldr Khan had been on the posted strength of MiG Operational Flying Training Unit (MOFTU), wef 29 April 2001. MOFTU is the largest fighter unit of IAF and it undertakes Stage-III fighter-flying training. In the absence of a Wing Commander due to service exigencies, Sqn Ldr Khan had officiated as the Squadron Commander of MOFTU 'Alpha' Squadron from his first day in the unit.

Despite being thrust into a job with a higher work content and increased responsibility, he had performed his duties with admirable efficiency. He flew extensively and worked for long hours with sincerity and dedication, among other things, to help pass out 164 and 165 Pilots' courses in time. He had worked beyond the call of duty on many occasions to meet all tasks. During this period, trainee and staff pilots in MOFTU had performed well in all professional spheres and for this Sqn Ldr Khan had a significant part to play.

Besides his primary job, he had performed all additional responsibilities in a befitting manner. His administrative ability was stood out and he had made significant contributions in many areas of activity in the unit including construction of the MOFTU museum.

For distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Squadron Leader Tarique Jamil Ahmed Khan, posthumously.

Flight Lieutenant Krishnan Sendhil Kumar (24413) AE (L) was commissioned in the IAF on 26 Nov 1996. He has held the appointment of Officer-in-Charge Daily Servicing State (DSS) in a MiG-29 Sqn.

Presently the MiG-29 fleet of IAF utilises the AGASTI equipment for flight data acquisition and analysis. This system has outdated hardware and does not have automated analysis of aware resulting in time consuming manual analysis using graphical print out. Flt Lt Kumar recognised the shortcomings of the existing system and conceived the preliminary design of a novel Flight Data Acquisition and Analysis System (FDAAS) during his training at MiG-29 Technical Type Training (TETTRA) School at Pune. Based on the success of this preliminary design, Air HQ decided to develop a prototype. While on the posted strength of AMSE, AF he developed the prototype using the latest hardware technology and with advanced software features like automated GO-NO-GO feature and 3D aircraft simula tion to help the maintenance and operational staff in better utilisation of the aircraft. The prototype developed by him consists of four equipment and costs only Rs. 4.5 lacs as against the earlier system with three equip ment costing Rs. 12 lacs. Thus the system developed by the officer has resulted in a saving of about 70%. The prototype has successfully completed all initial development trials and bulk order for entire MIG-29 fleet is shortly expected.

During the same period, Flt Lt Kumar also took on the additional task of developing the software for Total Technical Life Extension Data Base Management system of the MiG29 as required at a BRD of AF. He also completed software development of Header Editor and computerised SARPP film analysis software, both of which involved extremely complex coding.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Flight Lieutenant Krishnan Sendhil Kumar.

287381 Warrant Officer Sawari Muthu Antony Musn was enrolled in the IAF on 21 Feb 1970. In 32 years of distinguished service, WO Antony has held the post of Course Supervisor at CTI from Jan to Dec 1996, instructor for musician tradesmen and Band Master for the last five years. He was awarded commendation by the CAS, in the year 1998 and by the AOC-in C, WAC on 26 Jan 2000.

WO Antony is an outstanding Warrant Officer with an innovative bent of mind. He is an extremely talented WO who works with zeal and enthusiasm. He has undergone the methods of instruction course at ETI in Nov 1980 and continued as an instructor for Musician trade at ETI & ATI upto May 1987. In 1996, he was specially selected as the course supervisor of Musician trade by Air HQ.

WO Antony has led the combined contingent of bands for AF Day Parade from 1997 to 2001 and earned the appreciation not only of Air Force dignitaries but also of the other guests. He has been leading No. 6 Air Force Band during Beating Retreat continuously for five years from 1998 to 2000. He has also led Air Force Band during NCC National Camp and Prime Minister's Rally from 1998 to 2000.

As WO i/c No. 6 Band, he has been conducting all National and International Guards of Honour since Mar 1997. On 27 Mar 1997, during the Guards of Honour presented to His Excellency Dr. Nelson Mandela, the then President of South Africa, he was personally appreciated by the Hon'ble guest for conducting their National Anthem flawlessly.

WO Antony is not only a reputed musician in the three services, but also has a reputation in para-military and state police organizations. He was selected as Judge during All India Police Western Zone Band competition held at Gandhinagar from 26 Apr to 30 Apr 99 and his performance was highly appreciated by the DIG, CRPF, Gandhinagar.

For distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Warrant Officer Sawari Muthu Antony.

657301 Warrant Officer Anand Ballabh Joshi Flt Gnr has been on the posted strength of a Helicopter Unit since 02 Apr 1998.

On 30 Jun 2001 ten civilian labourers in two trucks were marooned in a flash flood in Tawi River. The sudden surge in water flow and strong currents resulted in the trucks getting bogged down. Surface means of rescue, were attempted, had to be abandoned due to the fast current. No other means of rescue other than air evacuation was feasible in the time frame available before the trucks were totally submerged. The risk of the trucks getting washed away in the rising water and fast current appeared imminent endangering the lives of ten civilians.

WO Joshi was detailed as the Flight Gunner for the rescue mission. During the briefing conducted when a volunteer was sought to be winched down on to the marooned truck, Warrant Officer Joshi immediately volunteered for the task despite the inherent risk. After establishing a hover over the trucks, Warrant Officer Joshi was winched down from a height of more than 20 m. His presence on the truck was inescapable to brief the untrained civilians as well as to ensure an organised recovery. The strong current and resultant wobbling of the marooned truck coupled with the persistent light drizzle and rotor downwash made the job of Warrant Officer Joshi a professional challenge. WO Joshi maintained his cool even under such difficult circumstances. After briefing the civilians he ensured that they were winched up one at a time after being firmly secured to the rescue strap. Warrant Officer Joshi's contribution is no small measure to the completion of winching in the shortest possible time. Warrant Officer Joshi remained on the marooned truck and was the last person to be winched to safety.

The successful and timely completion of the daring rescue operation was possible due to the cool composure and professionalism displayed by WO, even when under personal danger. This operation which received wide publicity, kept the flag of the IAF flying in addition to raising the esteem of IAF in the eyes of the common man and saving valuable lives.

For this display of exemplary personal courage, cool composure and high standards

of professionalism, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Warrant Officer Anand Ballabh Joshi.

293065 Junior Warrant Officer Purshotam Lal, Workshop Fitter, is on the posted strength of a BRD, AF wef 03 Apr 1996 as JWO i/c Structural Repair Section.

JWO Lal is an extra-ordinary person who has adroit hands and intelligent mind. He has been associated with intricate and complex structural repair on various ac for over fourteen years. These include major repair of fuselage and nose landing gear compartment of an aircraft extensively damaged due to belly landing, Centre fuselage area in K-2687 extensively damaged due to bird hit and the APU compartment and exhaust area of recently damaged K-2740 in the forward area. All these typical repairs needed preparation of special repair schemes and fabrication of structural parts. These repairs were carried out expeditiously by working for over 12 hours a day to meet the time schedules.

His invaluable experience has also been instrumental in repair of other ac of IAF. In 1997, he carried out repairs on VIP AVRO ac at Nagpur in mere two days for which HAL had demanded huge amount and at least fifteen days' time. He has also carried out repairs on six IL-76 ac, which were extensively damaged due to corrosion in last three years. For the repair of two of these IL-76 aircraft, Russians are known to have quoted Rs. one Crore per ac. Due to JWO Lal's dexterity and hard work, valuable foreign exchange has been saved.

JWO Lal has also been associated with complex structural modifications. His pains taking efforts resulted in successful completion of IR flare modification of AN-32 ac K-2701 during 'Operation Vijay'. He also carried out the aircrew seat retrain modification of AN-32 ac.

For his high professionalism, dedication to duty, hard work, total involvement and per sonal example of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Junior Warrant Officer Purshotam Lal.