Air Commodore Manmohan Singh Vasudeva was detailed to take over the Air Force Cell at the Indian Peace Keeping Force HQ, Madras. Air Cmde Vasudeva did a commendable job in setting up and organising the Air Force Cell within a short period and making it fully operational, inspite of shortage of manpower and insufficient support services available to him.

With considerable diligence and initiative, he successfully created the requisite infrastructure and support services at Jaffna, Trincomalee, Vavuniya and Batticaloa, for operation of transport aircraft, Pratap helicopters and Akbar armed helicopters in support of the IPKF in Sri Lanka. These timely arrangements greatly facilitated the massive induction of troops, tanks and associated fighting equipment of the Indian Army into Sri Lanka.

Air Cmde Vasudeva was responsible for planning and co-ordination of offensive missions by Akbar and missile carrying helicopter and special heliborne missions by Pratap helicopters in support of the IPKF fighting in inhospitable and difficult terrain in Sri Lanka. The success of all the cordon and search operations conducted by the IPKF can be attributed to the timely heli-lift support by Pratap helicopter and the fire cover provided by Akbars and missile carrying helicopters missions, which were personally planned and coordinated by Air Cmde Vasudeva. The battle tested operating procedures worked out by him for offensive missions of helicopter have contributed in achieving maximum mission success, without losing any helicopter or aircraft to the militants' action.

Air Commodore Manmohan Singh Vasudeva, VM thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order during IPKF operation in Sri Lanka.

Air Vice Marshal Satinder Singh Dhillon was commissioned on 17 Oct 63 in Engineering branch of the IAF. For his distinguished service, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 1981 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1999.

AVM SS Dhillon has been working as Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Western Air Command since 30 Jun 97. With his foresight, astute planning and perseverance, he was able to provide anew purpose and direction to the maintenance personnel at the field units.

During Kargil conflict, the officer toured the units extensively to have first-hand information on maintenance activities. He, thereafter, interacted with the repair agencies to maximize serviceability of aircraft and ground support systems. All vital systems of the aircraft, radar and Nav Aids were thoroughly checked during the preparatory phase to ensure optimal performance. The most significant results of his endeavors was the remarkable feat of maintaining an average serviceability of deployed fighter aircraft above 95% and Radars near 100% throughout the operations.

The officer had a daunting task of making up deficiencies of either Air Armament Weapons or their matching fusing com-ponents at the forward bases. Due to his dedicated, diligent and selfless professional approach, Western Air Command was able to affect movement of more than 2500 tons of Armament stores to our forward bases by Air/ Road.

Air Vice Marshal, SS Dhillon thus ren-dered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Vice Marshal JK Pathania was commissioned on 11 Dec 1963 in Administrative branch. During his service career of 36 years he has held important field and staff assignments. He is a graduate of DSSC and is a recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. During Op 'Safed Sagar', he was Senior Officer in-charge Administration at HQ WAC IAF. Immediately on declaration of operations, he initiated essential and vital measures at forward operational bases in J&K Sector, Punjab and Haryana to support sustained air operation. Augmented manpower was properly received, distributed and requisite admin facilities were set uphill record time. Security arrangements at bases particularly at Srinagar and Awantipur were promptly beefed up through effective ground defence system and camouflaging to provide safe working environment. Emergency works services were planned and initiated most efficiently. Admin support systems like uninterrupted stabilised electric and water supply were monitored and maintained to ensure that air operations are not hampered at bases due to these factors. Runway rehabilitation schemes were formulated, practiced and kept in a high state of preparedness to meet any contingency. The administrative requirements of the forward bases were closely monitored through personal visits and constant dialogue with commanders to ensure optimum admin efficiency and high state of morale of the personnel in the field.

Air Vice Marshal JK Pathania 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.