Flight Lieutenant (Now Wing Commander) Anthony Ignatius Kenneth Suares (2773) was one of the plots who formed the small band of transport support aircrew, who carried out continuous operations in Kashmir over long periods. He was one of the pioneers on the LEH route. At that time the aircraft were not fitted with Oxygen and this made the trip a most hazardous and grueling flight.

He also undertook transport support sorties to most of the other supply zones in Kashmir. Considering the difficult nature of the country and the treacherous weather conditions that were frequently encountered, it made the majority of these flights a most difficult undertaking as the pilot had, in addition, to contend with heavy enemy ground fire.

For the outstanding services rendered by him during the Kashmir Operations, he has been awarded the Vir Chakra.

Wing Commander Suares was the Commanding Officer of the Canberra Unit operating with UN Forces in the Congo. On 6th December 1961, he and his navigator Squadron Leader (then Flight Lieutenant) Takle were on an air-to-ground operational strafing sortie against an enemy airfield and other installations in Katanga. These officers carried out the attack despite intense enemy fire from the ground and destroyed the target thus enabling the ground forces to achieve their objective. A number of bullets hit the aircraft. One of them hit the navigator in the thigh and he began to bleed profusely. Disregarding his own safety, Wing Commander Suares set the aircraft on auto-pilot and rendered first aid to the navigator and thus helped save his life.

In doing this Wing Commander Suares showed courage in keeping with the highest traditions of the Air Force.