As the Officer Commanding of an Operational reconnaissance squadron [No.106 SR Squadron, Canberras] he has carried out a very large number of missions over enemy territory and has obtained vital information about enemy Air Force and other installations. These missions have entailed flying unarmed and unescorted vary deep into enemy territory and to heavily defended targets. The information brought back from these missions has facilitated the planning of Army, Air Force and Naval operations and has thus directly contributed to the attrition of the Pakistani war machine, It is further to the credit of Wing Commander Benegal that he has never returned from any of these innumerable missions without having achieved his object in full measure. While flying repeatedly deep into enemy territory in an unarmed aircraft he has displayed gallantry, devotion to duty and professional skill of the highest order.