Wg Cdr Raghunath Nambiar (16378-R) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in the Flying Branch on 11 Jun 81. He is on the posted strength of Air Force Station Gwalior since 12 May 98. He has flown 1820 hrs of accident free flying on the Mirage 2000 and holds the proud distinction of being the most experienced Mirage-2000 Pilot in the country.

On 24 June 99 this Officer was specially chosen to lead the first ever IAF operational delivery of an LGB. He was tasked to attack Tiger Hill which was defended by hostile enemy SAMs. The attack profile of a LGB requires the aircraft to descend below 2700 ft and exposes it to enemy fire. Despite this danger to his aircraft the pilot willingly descended to the required height and pressed home the attack. His attack on Tiger Hill at an enemy camp located at the peak was a direct hit and destroyed the entire camp. The videotapes of his attack clearly indicate the accuracy of the delivery and its devastating effect on the enemy. It is estimated that this attack was primarily responsible for the low casualty rate that the Indian Army suffered during the capture of Tiger Hill.

For his exceptional bravery, skill, dedication and courage under fire in the face of the enemy, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Raghunath Nambiar.

Wing Commander Raghunath Nambiar (16378) F (P) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 11 June 1981 and is presently held on the posted strength of ASTE, AF wef 24 Dec 2001. Prior to this, he was on deputation to NFTC, ADA from 23 Aug 1999 to 24 Dec 2001 as a Test Pilot. He participated in "Ops Vijay" and was awarded VM (G) for exceptional bravery, skill and courage.

He was standby pilot to undertake the first flight of the Light Combat Aircraft Technology Demonstrater-1 (LCA TD1). He carried out a number of engine ground runs, low and high speed taxi runs as preparation to fly the prototype. He along with the main pilot completed extensive simulator flying on the Real Time Simulator (RTS) and evaluated the control laws of the Quadruplex Digital Fly-by-Wire system. He followed this phase with in-depth evaluation of the redundancy management algorithms and avionics interface at the hardware­in­loop simulation facility known as the "Iron Bird". By the time the pilot in loop simulation ended on the Iron Bird Wg Cdr Nambiar and his teammates had uncovered 11 software deficiencies. These were rectified and fly-by-wire system was cleared for flight. He flew six flights on LCA TD1 from flight Nos. 6-12. Prior to the engine ground run phase Wg Cdr Nambiar played a leading role in the evolution and evaluation of the cockpit warning philosophy. Man machine interface aspects received the benefit of his vast flying experience on the Mirage 2000.

He flew the chase Mirage 2000 for the first six flights of LCA TD1. His presence in chase aircraft considerably boosted the confidence of the test pilot flying the LCA and enhanced flight safety.

From the fourth prototype onwards a new avionics standard cockpit is planned to be flown. Wg Cdr Nambiar has contributed in large measure to the evolution of this avionics standard. Cockpit Display symbologies, Up Front Control Panel (UFCP) for the HUD and ergonomics were the areas in which he worked assiduously for two years.

For this remarkable dedication, sincerity and enormous professional contribution to the crucial early phase of the flight test programme of the LCA, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Bar to Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Raghunath Nambiar, VM.