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.

Wing Commander Surapati Bhattacharya was the Flight Commander of an operational fighter squadron in the western sector when the hostilities with Pakistan broke out. He took over the command of the squadron on 12th September 1965. He led a large number of missions against enemy armour and troop concentrations in close support of the army. In the face of enemy ground fire and air opposition, he pressed home his attacks and succeeded in destroying a number of enemy tanks, armoured vehicles and troop concentrations. In every operational mission undertook, he flew as the leader of the formation, and apart from the successes he achieved personally, he contributed to a great extent towards the successes achieved by the other aircraft of these formations.

By his personal example, he inspired other officers and airmen and instilled in them a spirit of confidence.

Wing Commander Surapati Bhattacharya displayed courage, determination and leadership of a high order in the best traditions of the Air Force.

Squadron Leader Jasbeer Singh was serving as a Flight Commander in a fighter squadron operating in the western sector during the operations against Pakistan.

On 7th September, 1965, Squadron Leader Jasbeer Singh was detailed as the leader of a strike mission against a high-powered Pakistani radar unit near the Gujranwala airfield, which was greatly hampering our air operations. As his formation was about to attack, Squadron Leader Jasbeer Singh observed four enemy Sabre jets approaching. He immediately warned the formation and undaunted by the interception by the enemy aircraft of superior performance and the intense ground fire, he pressed home his attack and inflicted severe damage on the radar Station. In his final attack, when he had to approach the target very low, his aircraft was hit by ground fire and was seen crashing near the target. In this action, Squadron Leader Jasbeer Singh displayed great valour and unflinching devotion to duty, which were in the finest traditions of the Air Force.

During the operations against Pakistan, Flight Lieutenant Chandra Sekhar Doraiswami took part in 14 operational strike missions against the enemy ground positions. In all his attacks, he displayed great determination inspite of heavy ground fire and enemy air opposition. Twice his aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire and damaged severely. Instead of returning to base, Flight Lieutenant Doraiswami continued on each occasion to press home his attacks in complete disregard of his personal safety and inflicted considerable damage on enemy armour and troops concentrations.

Throughout the operations, Flight Lieutenant Chandra Sekhar Doraiswami displayed courage, determination and professional skill of a high order.

During the hostilities with Pakistan in December, 1971, Wing Commander Ravindar Nath Dogra (4725) was in command of a Fighter-Bomber Squadron. He flew a number of missions deep into enemy territory which were heavily defended and often came back with a number of bullet holes in this aircraft. His fearlessness and personal example inspired confidence and courage amongst the pilots of his Squadron who volunteered for the hazardous missions and completed them with success.

Throughout the operations, Wing Commander Ravindar Nath Dogra displayed gallantry, leadership and flying skill of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in 1971, Squadron Leader Jasjit Singh flew a number of operational missions over heavily defended enemy areas. In spite of heavy ground opposition he pressed home his attacks and destroyed a number of enemy tanks, gun positions and bunkers. He also supervised the servicing of aircraft and thus ensured maximum serviceability of aircraft for operations.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Jasjit Singh displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

Wing Commander TPS Gill has been in command of a MiG-21 Squadron (Sqn) since 27 Dec 93. Immediately on taking over command of the sqn, Wg Cdr Gill set out to uplift the Operational, Technical and Administrative potential of the unit. The sqn has performed extremely well in the Command Armament meet held in 1994-95 and is a very strong contender to win the overall trophy.

In spite of shortage of supervisors he maintained a high level of supervisions in flying training and ensured that all pilots achieved their various operational status in the shortest possible time. The flight safety record of the unit has also been good with no pilot error accidents/incidents in the last one year. Three of his pilots have been commended for their timely and apt actions in dealing with in flight emergencies which saved precious aircraft. He motivated the sqn personnel to maintain aircraft serviceability of more than 70%. In the last three months the serviceability of the sqn has been 77%.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander TPS Gill.

Pilot Officer Alex Puthenveede Mammen has been serving as a technical Engineering officer with a fighter Squadron. When the present hostilities started with Pakistan, this officer was faced with a difficult task of maintaining serviceability of the aircraft of his Squadron to the maximum, in spite of shortage of technical manpower, ground equipment and spare parts. Plt Offr Mammen worked many long hours during the critical period and ensured maximum serviceability. This young officer with his zeal, determination and single-minded devotion to duty was a source of inspiration to all the personnel working under him. But for his efforts, the heavy commitment that the Squadron had to face would not have been possible.

Sergeant Dilip Kumar Mukerjee, F.II.E was on the posted strength of one of the fighter squadrons operating in the western sector when the present conflict with Pakistan started. During this period the operational com mitments of the squadron increased extensively and to ensure cent percent serviceability, he worked on the aircraft ceaselessly for long hours. His zeal, determination and single-minded devotion to duty was a source of inspiration to all airmen. His supervision of the technicians working under him earned him respect from all. But for his efforts, the heavy commitments the squadron was called up to undertake, would not have been possible.

Flight Sergeant Seetharaman Ayyaswamy was posted to one of the fighter squadrons operating in the western sector when the present operations started against Pakistan. At the outbreak of hostilities the squadron was faced with heavy operational commitments and to meet this commitment it was essential that high rate of serviceability of aircraft was maintained. During these critical days Flight Sergeant Ayyaswamy displayed high organizational ability, technical skill and great devotion to duty. He has worked round the clock with complete disregard to personal safety or comfort to ensure serviceability of the aircraft of his squadron. By his untiring efforts and inspiring leadership he has encourage his men to work to the maximum capacity.