Wing Commander Swaminathan Gopalakrishna has been on the posted strength of a vital operational wing of the Air Force since March 1985.

Wg Cdr Gopalakrishna has been trained abroad on both the variants of Mirage-2000 engines. Immediately after his posting to the present Air Force Station, he was specifically entrusted with the responsibility of setting up and commissioning of the ETB and the ERS. Unmindful of any personal consi derations of hardship, Wg Cdr Gopalakrishna led a small team of equally dedicated tradesmen and accomp lished the task within a very short time.

During this period, he was able to achieve major repair work on 134 engines and 167 engines were run up on the test bed without any incident or damage to equipment.

For his devotion to duty, exceptional professional knowledge and sustained hard work, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Swaminathan Gopalakrishna.

Air Commodore Swaminathan Gopalakrishna VSM (12437) AE (M) was commissioned on 06 Jul 70 in the Technical Engineering Branch of IAF. In 31 years of distinguished service, he has held several important command and staff appointments that include Chief Engineering Officer of a fighter base, Commanding Officer of a Base Repair Dept and Joint Director and Director of Weapons systems at Air Headquarters. As Director Engineering 'D', he is responsible for the maintenance of important but troublesome transport and helicopter fleets of IAF which are beset with problems of low serviceability and difficulties in obtaining spares. With his systematic approach and clear vision to focus on key result areas, he has set about to streamline and put in place an effective support system. from a beginning in IAF based on aircraft maintenance on tarmac and in hangars to formulating policy and plans, Air Cmde Gopalakrishna has come a long way by stint of hard work, commitment to organizational goals and his storming zeal.

As an engineering officer at the Mirage 2000 base, Air Cmde Gopalakrishna set up the Engine Module Change facilities and Engine Test Bench for the modular engines of Mirage 2000 aircraft that were damaged in a hangar collapse in 1989, in record time. This was possible only due to his single minded dedication, devotion and hard work.

Air Cmde Gopalakrishna commanded a BRD, which was tasked for overhaul of AN-32 aircraft. Before Air Cmde Gopalakrishna took over command of the BRD, some AN-32 aircraft were being dispatched abroad for repair/overhaul. Air Cmde Gopalakrishna resolved not to send any aircraft abroad for overhaul and meet the complete requirement indigenously. No AN-32 aircraft has since been sent abroad for overhaul and this BRD has met the complete overhaul and repair requirements of IAF. It was during this period that the BRD undertook structural repair of corrosion affected IL-76 aircraft, which otherwise would have been sent abroad for repairs. All this was possible because of the leadership qualities of Air Cmde Gopalakrishna.

Air Commodore Swaminathan Gopalakrishna VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.