Flight Lieutenant Rajeev Kumar Chouhan is on the posted strength of a Helicopter Unit, Air Force since 09 May 90. He holds B Green Cat/IR on Mi-8 and has flown 1550 hrs of accident/incident-free flying to date.

On 11 Feb 92, Flt Lt Chouhan was detailed to undertake Air Maintenance Ex MON, to various DZs of Assam Rifles in Nagaland Area. During the course of Air Maintenance sortie from MON to Chaklanyshu on giving the command to drop the load over the DZ, Flt Lt Chouhan suddenly experienced severe vibrations followed by partial loss of control of the helicopter. One of the parachutes had separated from the load and had entangled in the tail. Sensing the emergency and seriousness of the situation, Flt Lt Chouhan kept cool and controlled the helicopter. Maintaining presence of mind, he decided to put the aircraft down on the helipad PSEAO in the immediate vicinity at an altitude of 1750 meters. During the course of landing on the helipad, the parachute chords further entangled in the tail rotor causing damage to tail rotor gear box to a very great extent resulting in further loss of control and direction of the helicopter.

Flt Lt Chouhan, however, continued to remain unperturbed and very successfully put the helicopter down at the helipad without any loss of life.

For his acts of courage and devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Flt Lt RK Chouhan.