Squadron Leader Arvind Kumar Nagalia is a test pilot and a qualified test flying instructor. He has almost 2000 hours of accident-free fighter flying to his credit. He has also attended the RAF Advanced Staff Course in the United Kingdom. Sqn. Ldr AK Nagalia worked in the Directorate of Air Staff Requirements as Asst Director from Dec 81 to Apr 84. During his tenure, he was associated with a number of important aircraft and weapon systems schemes initiated by the Air Force. These included the Mirage 2000, MiG-27M aircraft acquisition and formation of air targets for the Advanced Jet Trainer and Basic Turboprop Trainer projects. Sqn Ldr AK Nagalia has a profound knowledge of the operational and training requirements of the Air Force. He applied himself most meticulously in carrying out detailed analysis of the aircraft and weapon systems available so that correct decisions could be taken with regard to their acquisition. The staff papers produced by him were of a very high standard and bore the stamp of his experience as a test pilot and as a Qualified Flying Instructor.

For his outstanding contribution to the aircraft and weapon systems schemes, the President is pleased to grant Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Arvind Kumar Nagalia.

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.

Air Vice Marshal Arvind Kumar Nagalia VM VSM (11633) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 02 Jun 67. During his 36 years of service career he has held important and challenging staff and field appointments, which include Commanding Officer of a maritime Jaguar Sqn, Joint Director Air Staff Requirements at Air HQ, Air Attaché at Kiev, Ukraine, Director Projects at Air HQs, Commandant Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and Director NFTC. He is a qualified Flying Instructor. He has undergone Advance Staff Course at UK. He is also an alumnus of National Defence College (NDC). He was awarded VSM in 1985 and VM in 1993. Presently he is holding the appointment of Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Planning) at Air HQs since 16 Sep 02.

Throughout his service career and especially so when holding criteria appointment he has been the epitome of professionalism, probity and personal integrity. During a very difficult phase, through forethought, effective intervention and persistent efforts, he resolved vexatious issues of product support, settlement of warranty claims and on site training personnel not only of the IAF but also of the Army, DRDO and Defence PSUs. This had a significant impact on the maintenance of operational preparedness. During his tenure as Commandant ASTE, a record number of difficult trials involving complex systems were carried safely and effectively. Whilst being the Project Director NFTC, he was instrumental in formulating overall Flight Test Plan for the Tejas (Light Combat Aircraft). Appointed ACAS (Plans) Air HQ in Sep 02, he was responsible in breaking the deadlock between the Russians and Israelis in the integration of a major weapon system for the Su-30 MK I project. His close interaction with officials of Ministry of Defence, DRDO and Defence PSUs, unbiased and professional advice and budgetary issued as well as a truly long term perspective have facilitated clearance of a large number of projects in a reasonably short time frame.

Air Vice Marshal Arvind Kumar Nagalia VM VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Arvind Kumar Nagalia AVSM VM VSM (11633) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the IAF on 02 June 1968. He has over 4400 hours of accident free flying to his credit. During his 38 years of service career, he has held important and challenging staff and field appointments, which include Commanding Officer of maritime Jaguar Squadron, Air Attaché at Kiev, Director of Projects and Director of Air Staff Requirements at Air HQ, Commandant Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Director National Flight Test Centre, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air HQ. He is a qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot. He has undergone Advance Staff Course at UK. He is also an alumnus of National Defence College (NDC). He was awarded VSM in 1985, VM in 1993 and AVSM in 2004. Presently he is holding the appointment of Deputy Chief of Air Staff at Air HQ since 24 August 2005.

Throughout his service career and especially so when holding criteria appointments, he has been the epitome of professionalism, probity and personal integrity. As Air Attaché, he resolved vexatious issues of product support, settlement of warranty claims and on site training of personnel not only of the IAF, but also of the Army, DRDO and Defence PSUs, through forethought, effective intervention and persistent efforts. This had a significant impact on the maintenance of the operational preparedness. During his tenure as Commandant ASTE, a record number of difficult trials involving complex systems were carried out safely and effectively. Whilst being the Project Director NFTC, he was instrumental in formulating overall Flight Test Plan for the TEJAS (Light Combat Aircraft).

Appointed ACAS (Plans) at Air HQ in September 2002, he was responsible in breaking the deadlock between the Russians and Israelis in the integration of a major weapon system for the Su-30 MKI project and progressing major projects like AWACS and Hawk AJT to their logical conclusion.

During his tenure as AOP, he had been instrumental in formulation of revised abinitio and in-service training policies. He implemented AVSC Phase I report in the IAF in a record time and formulated proposals for Assured Career Progression for Airmen and AVSC Phase II for officers.

During his tenure as DCAS, he revamped the procurement process for fructification of the Annual Acquisition Plan. As a result of his effective planning, guidance and close monitoring, 100% of the allocated funds for capital acquisition were spent from the capital budget during the FY 2004 05 and 2005-06. With his close interaction with officials of Ministry of Defence, DRDO and Defence PSUs, he was instrumental in hastening important policy decisions like obtaining the warranty clause for HAL supplies, delegation of financial powers etc. Under his stewardship, 11th IAF Plan was prepared and approval obtained from MoD.

Air Marshal Arvind Kumar Nagalia AVSM VM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional .order.