Wg Cdr Mahendra Goli is posted as Commanding Officer of one of the Air Force Helicopter Units since 17 Jul 89.

The Unit's operational task is primarily in the Siachen Glacier where helipads are in the region of 19000 ft to 23000 ft density altitude. The helipads are exposed to frequent enemy shelling and the Cheetah helicopter flies in most inhospitable terrain on extremes of flight envelop.

Wg Cdr Goli immediately after taking over the unit, involved himself in the operational training of U/T pilots who were declared fully operational in the shortest possible time to undertake Air Maintenance task at Amar, Sonam and Zulu, the most difficult helipads in the Glacier. The officer has 5830 hrs of accident/incident-free flying record to his credit.

On 03 July 90, one Cheetah helicopter force-landed at Amar helipad at an altitude of 19,000' above MSL. The helicopter required an engine change without which it was not possible to retrieve the helicopter. It also necessitated taking an engine (wt 200 kg) to Amar whereas the normal load as per SOP vary from 25 Kgs to 75 Kgs during the season. Wg Cdr Goli master minded the whole exercise of transporting the serviceable engine, change and fly the helicopter out of Amar at the earliest. Probably this was the first time after an engine change a helicopter has been flown out from 19,000' (23,000' density altitude).

For his high professional standards, deft planning, exceptional imagination, devotion to duty and exemplary bravery, the President is pleased to award Yuddh Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Mahendra Goli.