Wing Commander Ajit Vishwanath Vaidya commanded a frontline fighter squadron from 22 Jul 87 to 19 Jun 89. He is an A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and has been type examiner on Mirage-2000 aircraft. During his tenure as Squadron Commander, the squadron was put to operational test on two occasions. First in July 87, the squadron was asked to move on short notice to Yelahanka in connection with Srilanka operations. Wg Cdr Vaidya carried out the task successfully by ferrying the aircraft ten of his aircraft in the shortest possible time. On the second occasion, his squadron was directed to move to Trivandrum in battle order on 03 Nov 88 and in a commendable period of under 4 hours, Wg Cdr Vaidya ensured that his squadron aircraft were airborne and the ferry was completed.

He is the first pilot to have fired air-toground weapons from Mirage-2000 which he did most accurately at Pokharan and then at Tilpat during Air Power Demonstration 89.

For his professional and notable contribution to operational preparedness, the President is pleased to award Vayu Seva Medal to Wg Cdr Ajit Vishwanath Vaidya.

Air Marshal Ajit Vishwanath Vaidya VM (11848) F (P) was commissioned in the fighter stream of IAF in Dec 1968.

He has over 3000 hours of accident free fighter flying on various aircraft like the Gnat, MiG-21, Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and the latest SU-30. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has been an Air Force Examiner. During 39 years of distinguished service he had held various field and staff appointments. As a Wg Cdr he commanded the Mirage2000 sqn. During his tenure as CO, his sqn participated in Male Operations (Op Cactus) in 1988. He led the first mission which successfully projected the might of IAF over these islands. For his leadership and courage, he was awarded the VM in 1990. As a Gp Capt, he commanded AF Station, Naliya and further went on to command the prestigious AF Station Pune which inducted the initial batches of SU-30 aircraft.

His staff appointments include a tenure in 1985 in Central Air Command where he was instrumental in ensuring smooth induction of Mirage-2000 aircraft in AF Station Gwalior. He had two tenures in Air HQ as Director Air Staff Requirements during which period he systematically worked towards fructifying the induction of various equipment included in the yearly acquisition plans. After doing NDC, he took over as Air Defence (AD) Commander of Western Air Command (WAC) on promotion to the rank of AVM in year 2000. He revised the AD philosophy of WAC and ensured smooth integration of all AD elements. On promotion to the rank of Air Marshal on 18 Oct 04, he took over as SASO, HQ Eastern Air Command. As SASO, he displayed exceptional acumen in upgrading the operational efficiency of all the fighting units of this Command. In Sep 05, he was posted to HQ IDS as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Ops). The first important assignment that came his way which he handled successfully was the damage control and assistance to the afflicted during the earthquake in NW India.

In Apr 06, he was sidestepped to PP&FD Branch in HQ IDS where he is presently working. In his present assignment he has shown exceptional expertise and foresight in ensuring jointness, interoperability and commonality in induction of technology and equipment related to all three Services. His contribution in preparation of the 11th Integrated Defence Plan & LTIPP was noteworthy.

During his 39 years, he has displayed professionalism of the highest order and made notable contributions through his proactive approach, hard work and extraordinary positive attitude to the IAF in particular and to the three Services in general. Air Marshal Ajit Vishwanath Vaidya VM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.