Details : | Group Captain Rajesh Varma (23190) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a pilot in the flying branch on 17 Dec 94. A Qualified Flying Instructor and Helicopter Combat Leader, he has more than 4000 hrs of accident! incident free flying to his credit. Gp Capt R Varma was appointed as Commanding Officer of the Attack Helicopter (AH) Squadron on 27 Aug 12. Leading with innovative vision and relentless drive, he successfully induced a vibrant team spirit amongst his subordinates and instituted a proactive, excellence seeking work ethos as the Squadron's identity. The Sqn has participated in inter-service command level exercises with Army and Air Force viz Ex-Livewire, Ex-Iron Fist, RD Flypast (2013) and AF Day Flypast (2012 & 2013). In the year 2013-2014, the Sqn has flown 1543 hours of accident/incident free flying, a feat which has not been achieved in the past 18 years. On the jointmanship front, integration between the sister services for a coordinated operational environment has been at the fore front of his vision. Gp Capt R Varma was personally involved in drafting of Op Instructions by the Army for conduct of AH operations and with his perseverance and determination succeeded in building a new synergised understanding of AH utilisation in support of Army formations. This is the first time that the Indian Army has drafted Op instructions wherein all the desired requirements of the AH Sqn have been accepted and documented. During the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection, the Squadron under his command has been adjudged 'Above Average' in Operations and 'Average Plus' in Maintenance and Administration. The Squadron was also adjudged the 'Best Helicopter Unit' in Western Air Command for the year 2012-13. For exceptional devotion to duty, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) to Group Captain Rajesh Varma. |