Gp Capt KS Sohanpal is on the posted strength of one of the Air Force Wings with effect from 01 Dec 89 as Chief Engineering Officer.

Due to his professional skill, involvement and dedication, a very high percentage of serviceability has been sustained at this Wing for Mirage aircraft and MT. He has not only led the technical personnel by personal example but was deeply involved in the development of expertise and skill of his subordinates. It is mainly due to his efforts that a very high level of expertise is available at this particular Wing.

Some of the major and important projects developed and operationalised by him are, design and fabrication of mains operated starting aggregates for Mirage and Avro aircraft, hardware modification of Mirage-2000 to permit carriage of assymetrical loads, circuit design given to Western Air Command facilitating conversion of normal 3 phase 50 Hz supply system into 400 Hz system in the blast pens for Mirage & Jaguar ops, configuring power supply system of P-18 radar for its operation from main power supply etc. All these projects were undertaken and completed at almost negligible cost. In majority of the cases, discarded and disused equipment were modified and put into operation. He was instrumental in design and fabrication of Mirage Engine Trolley which could be transported in AN-32 aircraft; the French supplied trolley could be carried only in AN-12/IL-76 aircraft and constraints in getting these type of aircraft posed a serious problem in supporting the Mirage detts. On Mirage-2000 aircraft itself and its various systems/testers, a number of innovations have been carried out which were well beyond the facilities available in India. He has thus not only helped save valuable foreign exchange but also contributed significantly in enhancing the operational capability of the Indian Air Force.

For his imaginative and innovative skill, devotion to duty, inspiring leadership in the best tradition of the Indian Air Force, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt KS Sohanpal.