Wing Commander Dilip Kumar Ranchhod Das Ashar (7686) Flying (Pilot) was commanding an operational bomber squadron of the IAF. On 24th January, 1983, while on a night training flight, the Canberra trainer that he was flying, had a bird hit. This resulted in flaming out of starboard engine. The differential thrust led to almost 90° bank only a few feet above the ground. Despite the rapidity at which the grave emergency developed, Wing Commander remained calm. He reacted with incredible speed and took the necessary recovery action. Even in the face of almost certain death, Wing Commander Ashar remained calm, and did not lose sight of his duties as a commander and a soldier. In the few seconds available to him he warned his crew, switched off the left engine and applied recovery controls. Failure to do so would have caused the aircraft to roll on its back prior to the crash. In the process he himself was totally injured but he saved the lives of two of his crew members.

Wing Commander Dilip Kumar Ranchhod Das Ashar thus displayed courage, a high order of professional competence and devotion to duty.

Group Captain (then Wing Commander) Jagdish Behari Lai commanded a Transport and M/R Squadron for nearly 3 years and throughout this period maintained the highest transport category and instrument rating. In spite of his multifarious duties of a Squadron Commander, he flew a total of over 800 hours on Super-Constellation aircraft. It was during his tenure that the Super­Constellation aircraft was modified for M/R role and it was under his direction that intensive trials were carried out and the aircraft quickly made operational in the new role. He ensured that every M/R and A.S.S.R. task entrusted to the Squadron was fully met. The manner in which various commitments were fulfilled by the Squadron under Wing Commander Lal's able leadership earned appreciation from all concerned.

Throughout, Group Captain Jagdish Behari Lal displayed professional skill, resourcefulness and leadership.

Squadron Leader Sadanand Kulkarni during his eleven years of service as a Navigator has flown 3,150 hours: out of which 1,320 hours are as an instructor. He holds transport category 'A' and Q.N.I. category A-1. In his Instructional tenure of four years, he has displayed instructional skill and flying standard of the highest order. He has had the distinction of passing out his pupils as best navigators in air work in three consecutive courses. As a navigator in M. R. Squadron, he flew 1,125 hours on Liberator aircraft and was responsible for training a large number ops U/T navigators into skilful and operationally sound maritime navigators, radar operators and bomb aimers.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Sadanand Kulkarni displayed professional skill and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

400498 Warrant Signaller Satnam Singh Walia has been serving with a transport Squadron since September 1961. He has flown a total of 4,770 hours including 2,900 hours on operational missions in Jammu and Kashmir and NEFA. He has also assisted in training the new Signallers. He has always volunteered for additional missions and extra commitments, which has been a source of inspiration to his colleagues.

Throughout, Warrant Signaller Satnam Singh Walia displayed professional skill and devotion lo duty.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Keshava Dev Kanagat was commanding a Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron. The work of maritime reconnaissance, search sighting and reporting and guidance carried out by the Squadron In close cooperation with the Indian Navy was of very vital importance to the Naval operations and contributed considerably towards the success of Naval operations both in the Western and Eastern Sectors. He carried out the maximum number and most hazardous missions himself and was a source of inspiration and courage lo his aircrew. It was largely due to him that the squadron carried out all maritime operations assigned to it successfully.

Throughout, Wing Commander Keshava Dev Kanagat displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Master Warrant Officer Kappadath Pazhay Kesavan Menon was serving with a Transport Squadron since January 1975 before he took over as Flight Engineer Leader on 1st January 1980. He qualified as a Flight Engineer in October 1955 and has since been employed in various operational units and types of transport aircraft. He has flown a total of over 8,300 hours on different types of aircraft including over 2000 hours on operational missions.

Master Warrant Officer Menon has been holding 'A' category on Super Constellation aircraft since 1977. As a Flight Engineer, he displayed a very high degree of professional skill and devotion to duty. His professional knowledge and presence of mind enbled him to tae timely action during inflight emergencies, contributed greatly to the high Flight Safety record of the Squadron and was appreciated by the Air Headquarters. On several occasions, he provided able guidance to ground technicians in rectifying snags especially at out stations. His high professional competence has enabled the Squadron to meet various commitments in time.

Master Warrant Officer Kappadath Pazhay Kesavan Menon has thus displayed profesioanl competence and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.

Gp Capt Chandra Kant Krishnatri took over the command of a Squadron with effect from 09 Sep 88. He had the challenging task of managing two flights operating different types of aircraft, viz. Canberra and Jaguar, in different roles. He also faced the arduous task of making the Jaguar flight operational on maritime offensive role which was a new assignment to the aircraft.

During the period of his Command, the Squadron made tremendous strides in its operational capabilities. Excellent rapport and professional understanding were reached between the operational elements of Air Force and Navy over effective management of offensive maritime operations. Following these, Standard Operating Procedures were evolved on maritime tactics for both the services.

Under Gp Capt Krishnatri's able Command the flight won the best over all trophy in 1989 Gunnery meet and team events in level bombing, front guns and cine.

He flew both Jaguar and Canberra aircraft operationally. Under his leadership Canberra aircraft undertook Target Towing commitments for all three services. The Squadron as a whole achieved 100% instrument flying rating and aircrew categorization.

For display of leadership and professional skill of exceptional order and for his contribution towards the operational efficiency of a Squadron, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Gp Capt Chandra Kant Krishnatri.

Wg Cdr CA Dalton is on the posted strength of No. 6 Squadron, AF since 23 Nov 84. He has spent 13 years of his service career in a Canberra Squadron and has to his credit an impressive 6200 hrs of flying, all of it accident­free. He has the unequalled distinction of having the maximum flying hours not only among the Canberra Navigators in the Indian Air Force, but also those of the transport fleet. This indeed is a unique achievement.

Wg Cdr Dalton has flown Canberra aircraft in all its multifarious roles, viz. bombing, Reconnaissance, Survey, Maritime strike and Target Towing. He was also assigned tasks associated with the demarcation of the IndoBhutan border in 1982.

On 30 Oct 87, when on a low level tactical sortie, while carrying out a simulated high speed attack, his Canberra suffered a massive bird strike on the nose section of the aircraft. Wg Cdr Dalton who was then in the nose section navigating saved his head from being shattered while suffering multiple injuries on his face and hands. Inspite of bleeding profusely, he navigated the aircraft safely back to base.

For his consistently outstanding achievements in flying, administrative skills and enthusiasm of an exceptional order, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr CA Dalton.

Group Captain Arvind Kumar Nagalia, VSM has been in command of a front line squadron since 06 Mar 89. The Squadron is equipped with two types of aircraft, the Jaguar and the Canberra.

He has been personally instrumental in recovery of a Jaguar aircraft after a serious engine problem while doing a dual check. The aircraft had engine surge in flight resulting in breaking off the LP compressor blades. By his exemplary airmanship in handling a serious emergency, he effected a safe recovery of the aircraft.

The average flying increased on the Jaguar and Canberra from 0900h per year to about 1200h per year respectively. By systematic training and meticulous planning, he has increased the operational potential of his unit. The unit won a number of trophies in Command Gunnery meets.

Being a maritime unit, his leadership and sense of involvement has resulted in successful commencement of Maritime Night Strike Syllabus and a 100% operational status of his pilots.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and qualities of leadership, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Gp Capt AK Nagalia.

Wing Commander Ravi Kant Sharma has been commanding the Maritime Strike Jaguar Squadron. He is a Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor with more than 2900 hours of accident free flying, of which nearly 1400 hours are on Jaguar aircraft. An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College he has held various important appointments like Flight Commander of a Jaguar Squadron and Deputy Director at Air Headquarters.

During his tenure as Commanding Officer, the Squadron had consistently completed the command task. In every exercise that the Squadron had taken part, it had performed extremely well. In Command Gunnery Meet, the Squadron was overall runner up. The Directorate of Maintenance and Inspection team, which carried out Quality Audit of the Jaguar fleet in Oct 95, had a special word of appreciation for the Squadron with respect to its maintenance practices. To cap all the achievements, the Squadron was assessed Average Plus in all three disciplines of Operations, Maintenance and Administration by Directorate of Air Staff Inspection in Nov 95. The achievements were a direct result of the able leadership provided by Wg Cdr RK Sharma.

Wg Cdr RK Sharma is a thorough professional, with a keen eye for details. It was due to his total involvement that the operational status of the Squadron has remained very high. He ensured that the serviceability state of the aircraft in the Squadron remained consistently high to meet its various operational and training commitments.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Ravi Kant Sharma.

Squadron Leader Arun Kumar Gandotra (20730) Flying (Pilot) has been on the posted strength of a Fighter Squadron since 09 January 95.

On 09 June 98, he was detailed to fly as number 4 in a four aircraft tactical formation on a fighter trainer aircraft at airfield. The aircraft was configured with two 1,200 litre drop tanks with 4,500 Kgs of total fuel. During take off, while unsticking at 155 Kts, he heard two thuds. He decided to abort take off considering the weight of the aircraft (13 ton), the elevation of the airfield, short runway length available and such a critical stage at which the decision was taken, he managed to handle the situation in an exemplary fashion and stopped the aircraft 1000' short of the barrier, without any undue strain or any damage to the aircraft, the rotary hydraulic arrester gear or the arrester barrier.

Post flight inspection revealed bird ingestion in both the engines. Further investigation revealed that the Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) on both the engines had shot up past 940 degree C, as a consequence to the bird ingestion, (limit for engine withdrawal being 790 degree C) and extensive damage was caused to both the engines. In case the take off had been continued, the EGT would have risen further, probably resulting in seizure/fire on both the engines, in which case both the pilots would have had to eject at a very critical stage and low altitude, and an aircraft would have been lost.

For his keen sense of situational awareness, quick reactions and exemplary handling of a react emergency which could have cost an aircraft, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Squadron Leader Arun Kumar Gandotra.

Wing Commander Jasbir Walia (15684) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 15 Jun 79 in the Flying Branch of the IAF and has been the Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron since 17 Mar 97.

A highly motivated, diligent and responsible officer, Wg Cdr Walia has been able to motivate the Unit to a very high level of performance. The Squadron, during his tenure, has risen from strength to strength, which has been possible as a result of his exceptional leadership qualities. In Nov 97 the Squadron was graded above average by Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI). The Unit has also proved its mettle in the Command Gunnery Meets, winning the first overall position for two years in succession. Wg Cdr Walia ensured that the operational capability of the Squadron kept on improving over this period. Whereas initially there was only one maritime night strike qualified pilot in the Squadron, now the Squadron can boast of nine nights strike qualified pilots and eleven supervisors. Except the newly postedin pilots, all are rated Green and above.

Leading by example, Wg Cdr Walia has been able to instill confidence, enthusiasm and a sense of pride in his men, binding the unit into a strong and potent team of professionals. The Squadron being adjudged the best Fighter Squadron in the Command bears testimony to this fact. At the same time, he has always held the welfare of those below him high in his priority by taking personal interest in the problems pertaining to the personnel and has been able to keep the morale of the personnel high.

For his professional capability and devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Jasbir Walia.

Wing Commander Anil Khosla (15871) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in 14 Dec 79 in the Flying Branch of the IAF and has been the Commanding Officer of a Jaguar squadron since 12 Apr 99.

A highly motivated, diligent and responsible officer, Wg Cdr Khosla has been able to motivate the Unit personnel to a very high level of performance. The Squadron, during his tenure, has risen from strength to strength, which has been possible as a result of his exceptional leadership qualities. The operational capability of the Squadron kept on improving under his command and all the tasks given to the Squadron were executed in a professional manner. The Unit under his guidance performed extremely well in every exercise that it took part in and also proved its mettle in the Command Gunnery Meet.

Leading by his personal example, Wg Cdr Khosla has been able to instill confidence, enthusiasm and sense of pride in his men, binding the unit into a strong and potent team of professionals. The Squadron being adjudged the best Fighter Squadron in SWAC and being nominated for best Fighter Squadron of IAF bears testimony to this fact. At the same time, he has always held the welfare of those below him high on priority by taking personal interest in the problems pertaining to the personnel and has been able to keep the morale of the personnel high.

For his professional capability and devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Anil Khosla.

Wing Commander Prashant Nagaraja Kaushik (16783) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 04 Jun 1982. He has flown over 4000 h without accident of which nearly 2500 h has been on operational aircraft. He is a Pilot Attack Instructor and Qualified Flying Instructor.

He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College. He has been a Flight Commander of a fighter Squadron (Sqn) and the Chief Flying Instructor at Air Force Academy. Presently, he is the Commanding Officer of a fighter Sqn since 28 Jun 2001.

Leading by his personal example, Wg Cdr Kaushik has been able to instill confidence, enthusiasm and a sense of professional pride in his Sqn personnel, thus binding them into a strong and potent force. In 2001, the Sqn was nominated for best fighter Sqn of the IAF. During Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI) inspection in Dec 2001, the Sqn was assessed as average plus. The armament scores of the Sqn have consistently remained above average to exceptional. The Sqn, also had the rare distinction of being the first fighter Sqn in ten years to operate from Car Nicobar airfield.

Wg Cdr Kaushik has been able to motivate the Sqn to reach a very high level of performance. The Sqn has a unique dis tinction of having two major operational roles i.e. land strike and maritime strike. Despite constraints of aircrew and assets, the Sqn has executed all tasks in both roles in a professional and noteworthy manner, including participation in six inter-services exercises. Under the leadership of Wg Cdr Kaushik, the Sqn's performance in the long outstation detachment during 'Op Parakram' was creditable. During his tenure, the Sqn has flown more than 2700 h without an accident.

For his exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Prashant Nagaraja Kaushik.

Wing Commander Vishwajit Vasudev Dedgaonkar (18813) F (P) was commissioned on 13 Jun 1987 in the flying branch of the Indian Air Force and has been the Commanding Officer of a Jaguar Squadron since 01 Jun 04, which is the only maritime squadron of the Indian Air Force.

The Officer has 3300 hrs accident free flying, of which nearly 2600 hrs are on operational aircraft. He took over the reins of the squadron after the sad and untimely demise of the previous Commanding Officer in an aircraft accident. In spite of the grief and loss suffered by the squadron, he raised the morale of all air warriors in the greater interest of service. Leading by personal example, Wing Commander Dedgaonkar instilled confidence, enthusiasm and a sense of professional pride in the squadron, thus binding it into a strong and potent fighting force.

The level of motivation instilled came to the fore within a month of his taking over command, when the squadron won the prestigious "Eklavya" trophy in SWAC for the best overall squadron in Air-to-Ground armament delivery. This trophy was again retained in 2005, thus ensuring that the squadron is adjudged the best in armament delivery for three consecutive years. During the DASI visit, the squadron was adjudged Average Plus in all aspects and was selected for Vayu Spardha. He was entrusted the task of inducting the latest variant of DARIN II Twin seater aircraft and converting the squadron from half squadron strength to full squadron strength. Starting with a limited number of experienced pilots, engineers and technicians, he has led his team with personal examples to operationalise the new aircraft. Despite the attendant pressures pertaining to new inductions and increase in squadron strength, he has ensured that the squadron did 4200 hrs of accident free hours during his tenure.

The officer has motivated his air warriors to a very high level of achievements. Despite constraints, he has shown immense courage, exceptional skill and determination to successfully undertake pioneering missions, which includes operating from Carnic Post Tsunami, participation in frequent inter service exercises and launch of Two Sea eagle Missiles in various modes. For exceptional devotion to duty, the

Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Vishwajit Vasudev Dedgaonkar.

226893 Corporal Muthuvellu Padmanabhan, Electrician 1 has been serving with an operational Squadron for the last three years.

He has handled the difficult task of locating faults in the intricate electrical circuits of Super Constellation aircraft and rectifying them with great competence and skill. During the IndoPak operations he worked for more than 18 hours a day to see off and receive aircraft engaged on missions and ensured that the electrical system was serviceable. Disregarding personal comfort and conve nience, he set a fine example to his fellow tradesmen by his hard work and deep devotion to duty.

For his distinguished service of a high order and professional skill, Corporal Muthuvellu Padmanabhan is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.