Air Vice Marshal Sudheer Rajaram Karakare (5033) Flying (Navigator) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 14 Jan 56. During his long and distinguished career he has held a number of important command and staff appointments which include Command of Navigation and Signals School, Senior Officer in-charge Administration at HQ SWAC, Air Officer Commanding Air Force Record Office, Senior Officer-in-charge Administration at Central Air Command, Senior Personnel Staff Officer at HQ CAC and presently Senior Air and Administration Staff Officer at HQ Maintenance Command.

Throughout his career AVM Karakare displayed exceptional brilliance and dedica­tion. He became a Navigation Instructor at merely three years of service and ultimately rose to become an A­1 category instructor. He made very significant contribution in the training of a very large number of navigators in the IAF during the rapid expansion period of post­China war. His instructional acumen coupled with sheer hard work ensured the needs of the IAF at this crucial juncture. He finally Commanded the Nav and Signals School of the IAF and his command saw smooth transition from Dakota to Avros as the Navigation trainer aircraft.

He later commanded a very sensitive radar unit in the Eastern Sector and brought about qualitative improvements in its operational effectiveness. During this phase of his command he also ensured the timely completion of work services with respect to Medium Depot Maintenance. AVSM 1990

He was appointed the SPSO at the HQ CAC in August 1980. As SPSO he brought significant improvement in all personnel matters handled by his section and achieved creditable improvement in the discipline aspect of the Central Air Command. He also coordinated the President's colour Presentation to No. 6 and 7 Squadron with distinction.

He has successfully undergone several prestigious courses in India and abroad and is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. He was appointed the Air Officer Commanding Air Force Record Office in 1985. As the AOC of the important unit he brought to bear his rich administrative and field experience, on the optimization of available man power while at the same time foreseeing the training needs of our airmen. Here he wrote a service paper on 'Long Term Planning - Airmen Manning' with a 15 years perspective. He was also able to establish a strong rapport between the field Commanders and the Air Force Record Office. In his present appointment as the SAASO, Maintenance Command AVM Karkare has again displayed deep understanding and maturity in the handling of large number of civilian personnel and improved manmanagement.

Air Vice Marshal Sudheer Rajaram Karkare has thus rendered distinguished service of exceptional order.