Wing Commander Vettakkorumakankav Sivrama Narayanan has been engaged in the Planning and implementation of advanced electronic systems in the Indian Air force since October, 1957.

When Canberra bombers were introduced in the Indian Air Force, this officer was entrusted with the task of planning, organizing and commissioning the system of blind bombing with this aircraft. He was also instrumental in setting up the bombing range for Canberra aircraft at Bambina where the complete blind bombing system was put to trial. He also organised the systematic training of personnel in the planning and computations for this new bombing system.

In early 1962, he was intimately associated with the planning and formation of new Air Defence Ground Environment System for India together with a multi-channel communication system. This plan formed the basis of the subsequent discussions with the officials from the United States and United Kingdom for improving the air defence system and communication facilities of this country. However, during the Indo-Pak conflict in September, 1965 when U.S assistance was suddenly withdrawn, it was discovered that there were still many deficiencies which were vital for the operations of the new Air Defence System. The most important of them was the Manual Central Office Equipment require for the internal, point-to-point and air-to-ground communications and radio equipment for air-to-ground communication facilities. With remarkable initiative and inventive genius Wing Commander Narayanan planned, coordinated and established the required facilities entirely with indigenous equipment. Subsequently, with his characteristic confidence and resourcefulness, he successfully completed the installation programme with our own personnel and resources.

Wing Commander Narayanan has also been responsible for the development of a Line Unit for use with Teletype equipment. Large numbers of these units are required, and they used to be imported from abroad. The equipment developed by this officer has functioned efficiently and is now under production in the Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore thus resulting in considerable saving of foreign exchange.

The contributions made by Wing Commander Vettkakorumakankav Sivarama Narayanan have been significant and farreaching.

Wing Commander Kondaiah Rampati was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Nov 62. An engineering officer of a proven capability he has undergone Defence Service Staff College course at Wellington. For three years he served with distinction as Senior Technical Instructor at Air Force Technical College. Since Dec 79, he is posted as Chief Engineering Officer at a major transport base.

During his tenure as CEO, he maintained the serviceability of the aircraft at his base at an average of 62% in 1980 and 52% in 1981 as against the target of 50%. On 29 Dec 80, one of the Squadron flew all 16 of their aircraft while the other Squadron had 15 out of 16 aircraft in serviceable condition. The CEO had to consistently guide his officers and staff in achieving this feat. He studied the problem of aero engines having large failure of cylinders. With great determination and zeal he introduced series of checks and servicing for timely detection of weak areas in the engine. As a result of this a large number of cylinder failures were detected on ground which otherwise would have created serious emergencies in the air. The Wing earned the distinction of nil accident rate during the year 1981. He inspired all his officers and men a sense of participation in achieving this herculean task. During the IAF Golden Jubilee Celebrations, in Feb 82 he organised the Air Static Display which was a grand success. For the initiative, dedication to duty in the discharge of his duties, the President is pleased to award V1SH- ISHT SEVA MEDAL to Wing Commander Kondaiah Rampati.

Wing Commander Vijay Achyut Patkar, commissioned in Jul 66, has held important assignments. He has excelled himself in academics and has done Ph.D. in Computer science from France. He has been responsible for setting up the MCF for Gajraj aircraft and for establishing second line bay servicing facilities for sophisticated electronic equipment Installed on Gajraj aircraft.

Gajraj aircraft were inducted in May 85. At that time only a handful of aircrew and ground crew technicians trained in the USSR were available to man the squadron. There was a pressing need for setting up the MCF urgently so that more aircrew and ground crew could be trained. This officer, with great zeal and enthusiasm, took up the challenging task of setting up the MCF for Gajraj within two months against heavy odds caused by paucity of space and other resources.

Wing Commander Patkar has also been instrumental in establishing sophisticated electronics laboratories, Including, a laboratory for the aircraft's computerized navigation and radar system. This officer designed the laboratory and supervised its construction as per the specification. The establishment of this laboratory has facilitated servicing of the sophisticated electronics equipment locally.

For this hard work, professional skill, exceptional ability to guide people in the technical field and the contribution he has made towards planning and establishing the MCF and the Electronics laboratories for Gajraj and Sutluj aircraft, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing commander Vijay Achyut Patkar.

Sqn Ldr RN Gaur is on the posted strength of an AF Station since May 1988. He is employed as Oi/c CR&SS of AN-32 and AVRO aircraft and as Oi/c Radio, Radar and Inst Labs for Avro and AN-32 aircraft. Sqn Ldr Gaur, though being an officer of the AE (L) branch has evinced keen interest in the activities of the AE (M) branch.

Sqn Ldr Gaur apart from achieving fine standards in I and II line servicing on AN-32 aircraft has also applied his technical knowledge in tackling certain problem areas in AN-32 aircraft systems, like flight data recording. Sqn Ldr Gaur indigenised the entire decoding process based on personnel Computer system with an inter-face unit to extract data from storage unit at any desired data segment, a "Commercial TV" for display and a magnetic tape cartridge for storing data of system storage unit. This system is particularly useful in a training institution for aircrew, where the pupil pilots can be debriefed and shown the vital parameters immediately after the sortie. The indigenised system resulted in a saving of Rs. two crores in foreign exchange.

Sqn Ldr Gaur modified the Attitude Interface Unit by doing away with the unreliable VG 208 and used the AGB-3K, stand by artificial horizon of Russian origin which is never used in the aircraft in its place. To match the nature of input required by the American equipment with that of the output of AGB-3K of Russian origin, an interface unit with necessary integrated circuit was developed by Sqn Ldr Gaur with the help of HAL Flight Test Centre. This interface Unit has been successfully tried on two AN-32 ac and is found to be reliable. This modification has resulted in tremendous saving in Foreign Exchange and has provided a reliable aid to negotiate weather.

For his exceptional enthusiasm, dedication to duty and positive contribution in development work resulting in considerable saving in foreign exchange, import substitution and indigenisation of technical system, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Sqn Ldr RN Gaur.

Group Captain Rajiv Sharma (13299) AE (L) was commission in the Aeronautical Branch on 01 Jan 73. He has held the appointments of Assistant Director Signals (Air) and Assistant Director Plan ADGES at Air Headquarters, Senior Engineer (Electronics) at two premier air bases and Head of Faculty (Electronics) at Air Force Technical College. An outstanding officer, he has done post graduation from IIT, Kanpur and Staff Course at Defence Services Staff College Wellington. In 1987, he was selected to undergo a course abroad on LUCH74 Flight Data Recorder (FDR) system. Presently, he is working as Chief Engineering Officer at a flying Base since 22 Oct 98. At this Base the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) analysis system was unserviceable since installation, which could not be rectified by specialists also. In 1994, Gp Capt R Sharma was entrusted the repair of FDR system. Using his innovative ideas and experience, he successfully repaired the equipment by using Indian components. This resulted in a saving of Rs. 27 lakhs.

The officer, with his wide outstanding planning ability and close monitoring of aircraft servicing activities, has reduced aircraft servicing time to the minimum, increasing the availability of aircraft for operations. During the recent operation 'Safed Sagar' the serviceability of both IL-76 and AN-32 aircraft fleet was maintained consistently over eighty per cent. During 1999, he success fully got two armament modifications completed on AN-32 and IL-76 aircraft. These modifications have made the practice bombing from AN-32 and IL-76 fleets most cost effective. Gp Capt R Sharma, with his innovative brain, has successfully developed Indian substitute of Russian aircraft washing machine and aircraft toilet cleaner by undertaking local design and fabrication work. His indigenisation drive and innovative ideas have resulted in saving of approximately Rs. 54 lakhs during last one year. He is an extremely meticulous and highly cost conscious officer. The high maintenance stands set by him as CEO are commendable which have been brought the 'Best in Maintenance' trophy to his Station.

For devotion to duty and distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Rajiv Sharma.

Group Captain Gudipudi Rajendra Prasad (13236) Adm was commissioned in the Administrative branch in 1972. During his career spanning 28 years, he held diverse appointments which included the posts of Senior/Chief Administrative Officer at Missile, Fighter and Transport bases, instructional assignment at the Air Force Academy, National Defence Academy and security related assignments as Assistant Provost Marshal at Srinagar and Jamnagar respectively. He has also been posted on staff assignments at Air Headquarters, Air Force Record Office and Headquarters Air Officer Commanding J & K Area. An alumni of National Defence Academy and Defence Services Staff College Wellington, Gp Capt Prasad was commended by the Chief of Air Staff and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, in 1990 and 1989 respectively, for devotion to duty.

As Chief Administrative Officer at Air Force Station Agra he has worked with dedication and perseverance in bringing about significant improvement in all facets of administration. His untiring efforts resulted in significant improvement in the state of electricity and water supply, condition of buildings, roads, streetlights, Electrical and Mechanical services and infrastructure have also shown a marked qualitative improvement. He succeeded in clearance of the flight safety zone to the extent of 500 acres, in a very short span of time. His other achievements include the introduction of steam cooking in cook -houses, renovation of Airmen's Messes and toilets, optimum management of non-public funds and beautification of the camp area. Through his perseverance, he succeeded in ensuring approval of major projects by Air Headquarters to bring about qualitative improvement in the infrastructures at the Station. This indefatigable officer has demonstrated an exceptional capacity to work methodically under conditions of severe crises and stress and produced a high quality of output. His managerial and inter-personal skills are of a very high order. His untiring efforts have contributed towards Air Force Station Agra being adjudged the best administered and most improved Station of Central Air Command during the year 2000.

For his sincerity, firm allegiance to service objective and distinguished service of a high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Gudipudi Rajendra Prasad.

Group Captain Munna Rajendra Singh (14768) Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) was commissioned on 03 Jan 1977 in the Engineering branch of the IAF. During 27 years of service he has held several important appointments including the posts of Senior Technical Officer, Chief Engineering Officer, Senior Production Engineer An-32 aircraft, staff appointments at HQ Maintenance Command, HQ Southern Air Command and Air Headquarters. He has been commended by the Chief of Air Staff in 1990. Presently, he is posted to Air Force Station, Agra since 28 Oct 02 and has been functioning as the Group Commander, Maintenance Support Group.

Under the leadership of Gp Capt Singh, the entire maintenance group functioned as a cohesive team and the serviceability of all types of aircraft operating at this Base improved considerably along with a reduction in the (AOG) percentage. With his close interaction and liaison with various overhaul agencies including BRDs and HAL, he achieved expeditious repair of Cat D items (rotables) resulting in decreased downtime of aircraft. His in-depth knowledge, vast experience and deep involvement were amply manifested when a damaged cargo middle door of an IL-76 aircraft needed urgent repair. In the absence of a designated BRD, the officer took up the challenging and complex task of preparing the repair scheme himself and working far beyond the call of duty completed the repairs within a record time of 15 days.

Managerial acumen and interpersonal skills of Gp Capt Singh were amply evident when he seamlessly accomplished the implementation of hitherto unfamiliar squadron concept at the station level. He created an environment of technical excellence in the station that prompted a series of innovations, which included multipurpose test bench, rig for flushing of hydraulic system, hydraulic reservoir pressurisation rig for An-32 aircraft and mobile corrosion treatment rig & universal hydraulic test rig for IL-76 aircraft. His untiring efforts earned laurels when the station was awarded the trophy for "Best in Maintenance" during the year 2003 in Central Air Command.

For his professionalism and distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Munna Rajendra Singh.

Group Captain Gurudev Lingayya Hiremath (14947) Adm was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 10 Jun 1977. He has held various important and sensitive posts including CO of a Liaison Unit, Chief Training Officer of a Training Establishment and Chief Adm Officer (C Adm O) of a flying training base. Due to his exceptional performance he was commended once by AOC-in-C and twice by the Chief of the Air Staff. He continues to be very enthusiastic in every task assigned to him.

Since 01 Apr 04, he has been functioning as C Adm O at Air Force Station, Agra. He has earned a reputation for providing a fair, transparent and considerate administration resulting in overall satisfaction and high morale of the personnel. He was instrumental in sorting out long outstanding land matters and successfully claimed ownership of unattended land. Encroachment clearance including demolition of unauthorised structures was executed very systematically without any adverse reaction from the civilian population. During his two year tenure as C Adm O, the Stn has been awarded with 'Pride of CAC' Trophy and 'Best in Adm' Trophy.

He is methodical in his approach towards work services. His untiring efforts have resulted in a total transformation of living conditions in the station bringing about a quantum improvement in services. Due to his close supervision and monitoring, prestigious Air Force projects like Hydrant Refuelling System and Married Accommodation Project, are progressing as per schedule with strict adherence to quality control. He incorporated several innovative modifications and improvements in the ongoing Married Accommodation Project for higher user satisfaction. He has significantly contributed in crystallisation of AWACS Induction Plan at the Air Force Station. He has successfully introduced a zero garbage scheme where the domestic waste is collected and converted into useful eco friendly manure. This scheme is an example for other stations to emulate. He efficiently organised major activities like Suryakiran aerobatic show, static displays, cultural and sports events adding colour to the life in the station. All these tasks required efforts beyond the call of duty which was cheerfully accepted compromising his personal comforts. Leading from the front and through personal example he provided an impetus to the Adm Support Group which rose to meet challenges of diverse nature with zeal and vigour.

For his distinguished service of high order, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Group Captain Gurudev Lingayya Hiremath.