During the recent operational against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Trilochan Singh who was Deputy Flight Commander in an Operational Squadron, flew 14 operational sorties. He carried out his mission with great determination and courage in the face of heavy enemy ground fire and air opposition and succeeded in destroying a considerable number of camouflaged tanks and heavy guns. He gave effective air support to our ground forces and carried out successful air strikes on enemy armour, troops concentrations and convoys.

Throughout the operations, Flight Lieutenant Trilochan Singh displayed courage, determination and professional skill of a high order.

Group Captain Trilochan Singh, (5043), Flying (Pilot), who assumed Command of Air Force Station Hasimara on 5th September, 1977, set out on a plan to bring about all round improvement in the functioning of the Station. Besides meeting the flying task, the station achieved high standard of flight safety as well as serviceability, not only of aircraft but of all specialist and other transport vehicles. The maintenance Inspection Team from Air Headquarters were impressed by the high state of maintenance at the Station.

For his commendable skill and experience in operational flying, he was awarded Vir Chakra during Indo-Pak Conflict, 1965. He has served abroad as a Pilot Attack Instructor. He has used his flying skill and experience to train the pilots of his Station and to inspire confidence in them by frequently participating himself in the air combat and gunnery exercises. As a result, one of the supersonic squadrons from his Station achieved an overall Average Plus assessment from Directorate of Air Staff Inspection and won the Bombing Trophy in the Inter Squadron Gunnery Meet. The other Squadron at his base won the Front Gun Trophy in the same Gunnery Meet.

Under his scheme of welfare measures, he established shopping and Recreation Centres and Cinema Halls under self-financed schemes. These amenities have been adequately meeting the needs of his personnel residing at an isolated station and have helped them in keeping up their high morale.

Group Captain Trilochan Singh has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Trilochan Singh (5043) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Fighter Stream of the IAF on 14 June 1956. During his long service career he has held a number of key command and staff appointments including Command of a fighter squadron, an operational Base, Director Electronic Warfare at Air HQ and Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command.

A veteran fighter pilot, he was awarded the Vir Chakra for conspicuous gallantry during the Indo-Pak Conflict in 1965. A dedicated Pilot Attack Instructor, he brought about remarkable improvements in the operational effectiveness of a frontline fighter squadron during his command. As a befitting squeal to his leadership of the Squadron, he was later appointed the Station Commander of a large Fighter Base in the Eastern Sector. His dynamic approach to numerous problems at this remotely located base transformed it into an exemplary station, for which he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1980.

As Joint Director Air Defence, he was the key figure in the induction of MiG-23 MF air defence aircraft in the IAF. He also served as a crucial member of the negotiating team for the Mirage-2000 aircraft and was instrumental in laying down the utilization philosophy and the weapon mix for this weapon system. Appointed Air Attaché in our Embassy in France in 1982, he coordinated the actual hand-over of Mirage-2000 aircraft to the IAF as well as the training of Indian pilots and technicians, apart from successfully negotiating and finalizing certain subcontracts of the Project.

A graduate of National Defence College, his contribution as DEW in exploitation of the IAF's meager inventory was noteworthy. In 1988, he was appointed the Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at Western Air Command. As SASO of this Command, he was deeply involved in the planning and finalization of operational plans. He conceived relocation of the air defence elements of the WAC; making the system far more effective.

A graduate of Senior Defence Management Course, the Air Officer brings to bear his varied operational and administrative experience in his present appointment of Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) and continues to make significant contributions to our operational preparedness through innovative utilization of resources.

Air Vice Marshal Trilochan Singh AVSM, VrC, VM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.