During the operations against Pakistan, Squadron Leader Tej Prakash Singh Gill, the Flight Commander of an Operational Squadron, took part in as many as 21 ground attack missions in support of our ground forces in Sialkot, Chhamb, Lahore and Kasur Sectors. On two such missions on 19th and 21st September, 1965, Squadron Leader T.P.S. Gill encountered a very heavy barrage of anti-aircraft fire. Instead of breaking off the attack squadron Leader Gill pressed it home defiantly in utter disregard of his personal safety and destroyed a considerable amount of enemy armour and field guns.

During these missions, Squadron Leader Tej Prakash Singh Gill displayed courage and leadership of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December 1971, Squadron Leader Vinod Kumar Bhatia was a flight commander of a Fighter Bomber Squadron. He flew a large number of missions deep inside enemy territory and brought back useful information. He also led three deep-penetration counter air strikes against enemy airfields, which were heavily defended by Anti Aircraft Guns. On his subsequent missions, notwithstanding heavy ground fire and patrolling by enemy aircraft, he pressed home his attacks. He was responsible for the destruction of three enemy aircraft and numerous other military installations on the ground. He also carried out interdiction missions disrupting enemy lines of communication. In addition, he provided close air support to our ground forces.

Throughout the operations, Squadron Leader Vinod Kumar Bhatia displayed gallantry, determination and professional skill of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Arun Vasant Sathaye as a senior pilot of a FighterBomber Squadron, was detailed as a member of four aircraft strike mission over an airfield on 4th December 1971. He carried out two successful attacks despite heavy ground fire. During his first attack, he destroyed a building and while pulling out noticed an aircraft parked in the adjoining area. He went in for the second attack on the enemy bomber aircraft, which was being refueled. After attacking the aircraft, he saw huge flames near the aircraft and also a column of smoke going up.

In this action, Flight Lieutenant Arun Vasant Sathaye displayed gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Melvinder Singh Grewal served with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron in the Western Sector. On 4th December, 1971, he was detailed as a member of a four aircraft strike mission over the enemy airfield ‘Shorkot Road’. He successfully carried out the mission destroying one aircraft on ground and damaging a building. The same day, in the evening, he carried out another strike mission. As a member of a formation over the same airfield, he pressed the attack despite heavy Anti-Aircraft fire. However, in this attack his aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed.

Flight Lieutenant Melvinder Singh Grewal displayed gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order.

During the operations against Pakistan, Flying Officer Iqbal Fazal Husain, in addition to armed patrol over the Pasrur and Chhamb sectors, carried out two successive low level strikes against enemy targets. On 8th September 1965, he took off from a strike mission in a formation of four aircraft. Despite anti-aircraft fire, his section completed the task successfully. While returning to base, his aircraft flamed out owing to damage to the fuel system caused by enemy ground fire. He successfully ejected himself and landed only 12 miles from his base. He was seriously injured by the villagers who took him to be an enemy pilot. Despite the difficult situation, he refrained from using his fire arms in self defence. Subsequently, he was killed in a flying accident.

Throughout, Flying Officer Iqbal Fazal Husain displayed cool courage and professional skill.

During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron Leader Amrit Mohan Mehta was a Flight Commander of a Fighter Bomber Squadron. On the 4th December, 1971, he was detailed to carry out a photo reconnaissance mission over an Airfield. Immediately on completion of his mission, he was intercepted by two enemy Sabres, but he jettisoned his external loads, manoeuvred his aircraft and thus avoided attack by the enemy aircraft. A little later while on his way back to base, he was chased by two enemy Mirages but he again skillfully manoeuvred his aircraft and avoided interception. Though his aircraft had run short of fuel and the engine flamed out a few kilometers away from his base, he carried out a dead stick landing and thus saved the valuable aircraft. The photographs brought by him gave information about enemy airfield, which were of immense value for further planning. In addition, he successfully led many strike missions, interdiction missions against enemy lines of communication and close air support missions.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Amrit Mohan Mehta displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.

Wing Commander Pramod Kumar Mehra (11581) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Air Force in May 68. In 1985 he attended a Test Pilot course where in he stood second. In 1976, he had undergone Attack Pilot Flying Instructor's course and stood first in the course. He is also an experimental Test Pilot from Aircraft and System Testing Establishment Bangalore and he stood first in this course also.

Till date Wg Mehra has got 3430.00 hrs on twenty different types of aircraft to his credit and has totally accident free personal flying record.

In June 86, he took over command of a fighter Squadron. By his leadership, dedication and hard work he has brought laurels to the Squadrons. It is noteworthy that one junior pilot of the rank of pilot officer was made fully operational within 7 month of his commencing flying. It is an exceptional achievement by every standard.

During 1986-87 the Squadron was declared Winner of the HAL trophy for best performance Squadron HAL build aircraft. During 1987, the Squadron won the over all championship for Inter Squadron Armament meet in an operational Air Command. During this Armament meet, Wg Cdr Mehra personally led the Gunnery and Rocketry events and in both these events the teams stood first.

For his exceptional leadership professional competence of a very high order and dedication to his work, the President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal to Wg Cdr Pramod Kumar Mehra.

Group Captain Amul Kapoor was commissioned as a Flying (Pilot) on 02 Jun 73. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor, a Fighter Combat Leader and an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College and College of Defence Management.

Gp Capt Amul Kapoor took over the command of a MiG-21 Squadron (Sqn) in Apr 93 after a tragic accident in which his predecessor had lost his life. Through very careful handling of all the personnel he was able to put back the Sqn into the right frame within a short period. Aircraft serviceability of the Sqn increased from 58% to 72%, a state which has been maintained for the last four months. This is highly commendable and laudable. The motivation, inspiration and confidence instilled by Gp Capt Kapoor in his officers and men resulted in the Sqn being graded highly satisfactory by Directorate of Air Staff Inspection and 'Above the Average' by Aircrew Examining Board during their respective inspections. The Sqn also did extremely well during the Command Armament meet by winning the rocket firing team event and one individual event trophies.

For exceptional devotion to duty, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Group Captain Amul Kapoor.

Flying Officer Dara Phiroze Chinoy was pilot in an operational squadron in the Punjab when the hostilities against Pakistan broke out. On 10th September, 1965, while on a low level strike mission against heavily defended targets in the Lahore sector, his aircraft was shot down and after ejecting from the aircraft, he landed in the area held by the enemy. Then started a long chase by the enemy for capturing him. Fg Offr Chinoy walked, crawled and, when required, ran for over five hours to evade capture until he safely crossed the front line and arrived amidst our own friendly forces. The very high sense of duty shown by the officer in successfully evading capture for such a prolonged period against very heavy odds, speaks of the sense of determination and devotion to duty of this officer.

Through this tortuous and dangerous course of action, Fg Offr Chinoy not only successfully foiled the attempts of hordes of Pakistani soldiers and civilians to capture him, but also rejoined his squadron to carry out further operational missions against the enemy.

The officer has completed 10 operational sorties on low level strike missions and armed patrols during the current hostilities and has contributed a large extent towards the achievements of his squadron.