Details : | Wing Commander Chetan Bali (15708) Flying (Pilot) Wing Commander Chetan Bali (15708) F (P) was commissioned as a pilot In the Flying Branch of the IAF on 15 Jun 79. He has held several key field appointments including Chief Flying Instructor at AF Station Bidar, Station Flight Safety and Inspection Officer at AF Station Gwalior and Flight Commander of a Mirage 2000 squadron. He Is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and has also served on the staff of Flying Instructors School. He was appointed as the Commanding Officer of a MiG-21 combat squadron on 12 Oct 98. The Squadron at that time had 10 under training pilots. Through his exceptional initiative and drive, he took up the challenge of upgrading the squadron's operational state. His perseverance and dedication bore fruit on 05 Aug 2000 when the squadron achieved the rare distinction of 100% operational pilots' status. Under his command a total of 30 pilots attained operational status which itself is a great achievement. He has gone a step further by operationalising the squadron in the specialist role of valley attacks and high altitude firing. In doing so, he has led from the front by flying more that 850 sorties during his tenure. Although he has been responsible for one minor incident attributable to overzealousness, overall he has an accident- free flying record of 4340 hours on single engine aircraft. For exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Chetan Bali. |