Air Cmde Narayan Menon was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot on 25 Dec 64. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and Fighter Combat Leader. Apart from the 3200 hours of flying experience, he has served with credit on the faculty of TACDE & CDM and graduated from the NDC in Dec 96. His field service includes command of not only a fighter squadron but also the rare achievement of three flying stations as well, last of which was Adampur, where four combat squadrons were based. His leadership and intellectual capabilities were responsible for the safe conduct, of flying, formulation of war plans, conduct of major exercises and management of a crisis during extensive flooding consequent to unprecedented monsoons in 1995. Air Cmde Menon has held a variety of challenging staff appointments and has contributed significantly towards the formulation of policies for the enhancement of professionalism in the IAF. In his present assignment as Director Operations (Air Defence), he has displayed considerable foresight and a deep sense of involvement in the management and optimisation of resources for the defence of our skies.

Air Cmde Narayan Menon has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal Narayan Menon was the first person from the 1AF involved in Op 'Safed Sagar'.

On 10 May 99, he was requested by the MGGS North Com for assistance to heli-lift additional troops into the area of intrusion as also to provide armed helicopters to dislodge the intruders. The officer was able to respond to the first request, but the second request needed a political decision. While this was awaited, at the officer's insistence, helicopters were armed and readied and crews were trained. AVM Menon encouraged and monitored all aspects of the armament training at high altitude.

As the situation grew increasingly serious, so the officer's involvement in joint planning increased as well. In addition, it was also decided to utilise his expertise at Srinagar. When a final decision was taken to utilise the IAF, AVM Menon oversaw the planning and execution of all missions. His methodical, reasoned and balanced approach was beneficial to those who supported him while planning, and a major, calming influence on pilots who had suffered the loss of contemporaries. With his keenly analytical brain, AVM Menon's ability to discern a problem and react appropriately led to a complete revision of tactics. The eventual adoption of these methods led to no further loss of man or machine. Also, despite conducting ops at altitudes and over terrain hitherto unthought of accuracy levels and efficacy of attacks kept increasing. AVM Menon's team was able to keep continuous pressure by night as well as during undercast conditions, thus maintaining a stranglehold on the enemy and leading to an early cessation of hostilities.

AVM Narayan Menon thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Narayan Menon, UYSM, AVSM, (9005) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned In the Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot on 25 Dec 64. He has 3147 h of accident free flying to his credit. He is a qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader. He has commanded a fighter squadron and two operational bases and a Flying Training Establishment. He is an alumnus of College of Defence Management and National Defence College. During his distinguished service of over 38 years, he had held several challenging field, staff and instructional appointments, which include Head of OB Faculty at CDM, AOC J&K and ACAS (Ops). Presently, he is Air Officer in-charge Personnel (AOP) at Air Headquarters since 01 Feb 02.

As Director Operations (Air Defence), he displayed considerable foresight and a deep sense of involvement in the management and optimisation of resources for the defence of our skies. For his distinguished service of exceptional order, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1998.

As AOC J & K during Kargil Operations, he was personally involved in planning and execution of all joint missions with the Army. As a result, the Air Force successfully dislodged the enemy and facilitated early cessation of hostilities. For his leadership, initiation, strategic planning and tactical innovation he was awarded Uttam Yudh Seva Medal in 1999.

As Asst Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) at Air Headquarter, he was responsible for formulation of war plans and conduct of major exercises. When mobilisation was ordered after an attack on the Parliament on 13 Dec 01, he ensured that squadrons were deployed at Op locations on 14 Dec 01 itself. Despite long deployment of the personnel, he ensured that they remained at the highest level of preparedness, ready to launch an attack at shortest possible notice.

As Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel, Air Mshl Menon has been responsible for all aspects of personnel planning, induction, training, recognition and rewards to all the personnel in the IAF. During his tenure a number of policies and innovative measures, which will go a long way to enhance the motivation and morale of the IAF personnel have been initiated. These include revival of SNCOs Commission to provide better career prospects to the serving airmen, improvement in the promotion ratios of the officers in the ground duty branches and more transparency in the decision making process. He and his team have been able to set IAF Training Institute recognised by the AICTE as also civil aviation recognition for military aviation qualifications.

Air Mshl N Menon has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.