During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Dinesh Chander Nayyar was serving with a FighterBomber Squadron in the Eastern Sector. He flew 11 missions during the conflict. On his first counter air mission over Dacca Air Field he was shot at by enemy Ack Ack. Regardless of personal safety and in the face of heavy ground fire he continued with his attacks; which resulted in the silencing of the guns on the airfield as also the loss of a Sabre aircraft on the ground. In one of his subsequent missions, he was responsible for spending considerable time over the enemy area in locating a well-camouflaged P.O.L dump and in destroying it.

Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Dinesh Chander Nayyar displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Sergeant Niranjan Mishra was detailed as takeoff inspector along with another airframe flitter on the 17th May. They both carried out the tyre checks on a MiG-23 BN aircraft and cleared it for take off. The aircraft lined up normally but as soon as reheat was engaged it swung viciously to the left going off the runway. The aircraft finally impacted a blast pen wall, sustained intensive damage and caught fire. Sgt Mishra ran across the runway to the damaged aircraft saw that the pilot was trapped inside the burning aircraft. The nose of the aircraft was smashed , the canopy jammed and the pilot was in an awkward position in a dazed condition. Using great presence of mind Sgt Mishra broke the shattered canopy with a brick and removed the pieces thus making an exit for the pilot. The flames by now had risen to the cockpit and Sgt Mishra unmindful of the danger to himself and with great courage assisted Plt Offr MS Nival to get out of the burning wreckage with minor injuries. Within minutes of the pilot getting out of the cockpit the ejection seat fired, a hazard which Sgt Mishra knew could have fatal consequences for both the pilot and himself carrying out the rescue.

Sgt Mishra, true to the tradition of the Air Force, showed great presence of mind, loyalty and even at the risk of his own life displayed courage and fortitude of the highest order. His timely act of valour and courage beyond the call of the duty saved the life of a young pilot.

Squadron Leader Onkar Singh Wadhawan, in his seventeen years of commissioned service, has commanded two fighter squadrons and has served as Officer-in-Charge Flying of a fighter base. He has a total of 3799.45 hours of flying. His flying record has been accident free. As Flight Commander in an operational squadron, he has been responsible for conducting the conversion training of pilots onto advanced supersonic aircraft. His instructional flying ability on the aircraft is of an exceptional order. He has seldom worked less than 9 hours a day, driven by his keenness for perfection at work and faultless completion of his duties as a Flight Commander.

Squadron Leader Onkar Singh Wadhwan's exceptional professional ability and skill in the air, tremendous keenness for flying and remarkable thoroughness in all his work on the ground, are of special significance to the Air Force.

Wing Commander Dilip Shanker Jog has been in command of a Squadron operating supersonic fighter aircraft for over a year. During this period, a large number of junior pilots were successfully converted on to these aircraft. This was done without an accident and in accordance with prescribed time schedules. He supervised this conversion training and played a leading part in carrying out instructional flights. In addition, he ensured the combat readiness of the Squadron by completing operational training exercises. He has to his credit 3600 hours of accident-free, single engine flying, 800 sorties of which are on supersonic aircraft.

Throughout, Wing Commander Dilip Shanker Jog displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Air Force.

Wing Commander Avinash Deodatta Joshi assumed command of a frontline fighter Squadron on 15 Apr 85. Throughout the period of his command, Wing Commander Joshi stressed the primacy of operational capability. He trained his Squadron to a very high level of efficiency in its primary and secondary roles. The fully operational and instrument rating status of his pilots was raised to 100%. In addition, his Squadron came to be recognized as highly specialized in undertaking tasks involving extended periods of valley flying.

In acknowledgement of his professional capabilities and achievement of exceptional standards, Headquarters Western Air Command assigned to his Squadron a number of special missions designed to optimize the Vijay's operational utilization. Wing Commander Joshi led almost all of these missions himself. As a result of the trains he conducted and as a result of the success of these special missions, the operational capability of the centre Vijay fleet increased substantially.

Wing Commander Joshi had to sacrifice much of his personal convenience and comfort, and his time, in order to train his Squadron to the peak of operational efficiency. At the same time, he made a noteworthy contribution to the optimization of the Vijay aircraft's operational envelope. He approached these takes and accepted his success with admirable humility. Through his action and attitude, he roved himself a true leader.

For his initiative, professional zeal and out standing competence and for his exemplary leadership qualities, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Wing Commander Avinash Deodatta Joshi.

Wing Commander Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale assumed command of a fighter squadron on 18 May 87.

He personally led an operational IRLS sortie over the border in Siachen area in Aug 87. Under his Command, the performance of the unit had been exemplary during EXHAMMER BLOW and EX-SURAKSHA II.

Wg Cdr Gokhale took personal initiative and established a new approach to the TRS (turn round servicing) on a MiG variant reducing the TRS time by half. Wg Cdr Gokhale has been instrumental in identifying, initiating and implementing a major modification of the MiG variant which in the near future will allow an armament recorder camera to be fitted.

For his significant contributions to the operational preparedness of the squadron and dedication to duty, the President is please to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Bhushan Nilkanth Gokhale.