Air Commodore SK Malik was commissioned on 25 Dec 64 as a fighter pilot. He has over 4000 hours of accident free flying to his credit. He has commanded a premier fighter squadron and a wing. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, and Air War College of USA. He has held the appointment of Joint Director of Operations (Offensive) for three years at Air HQ.

Air Commodore SK Malik was appointed the Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Pathankot on 01 Oct 93. He carried out a thorough review of all the Non­Public Fund accounts, updated them and brought them to acceptable service standards. The Air Officer undertook the task of reassessing the operational deployments of Air Defence systems at Air Force Station, Pathankot. Many sites were personally reconnoitered by him and the most optimum ones selected which later proved to be highly successful during the annual WAC major exercise. During his tenure, a major operational work of runway resurfacing was executed with top quality within a record duration of six months.

The average aircraft serviceability improved from 65% in 1992-93 to 74%. The Station was awarded the 'Best Administration Trophy' for the year 1993-94.

Air Commodore Sunil Kumar Malik has thus rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Sunil Kumar Malik AVSM (9002) F(P) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in the Flying branch on 25 December 1964. He has over 4200 hrs of accident free flying to his credit. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and Air War College of USA. He is a production test pilot, who has held several key appointments such as Joint Director at Directorate (Offensive Ops), Commanding Officer of the Aircrew Examining Board, Air Attaché Moscow, Air Officer Commanding of two operational bases, Additional Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations), Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence) and Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at South Western Air Command. He was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1996. Presently he is Vice Chief of Air Staff since 01 October 2004.

As Air Officer Commanding, Air Marshal Malik carried out the task of reassessing the operational deployments of Air Defence systems. He executed a major operational work of runway resurfacing with top quality within a record duration of six months. During his tenure the average aircraft serviceability improved from 65% to 74%.

As Additional Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) during Kargil air operations, Air Marshal Malik made significant contribution in planning the target systems and acquiring intelligence on those. He was also instrumental in harmonising all Electronic Warfare Operations. Major inter service and internal changes were necessitated post-Kargil Review Committee recommendations, for which he effectively planned and brought about organisational changes for better exploitation of intelligence network.

As Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command, Air Marshal Malik most efficiently and expeditiously brought all the forces to an instant alert status ready to face any challenges. He also ensured that all forces remained deployed with a very high level of operational preparedness with sustained high morale. He organised and executed realistic training exercises for bringing about synergy between Air Defence and Strike Forces. During this period extensive flying training were carried out with the lowest accident rate.

As the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, HQ Southern Air Command, Air Marshal Malik brought about administrative improvements not only in the work environment but also in the quality of life of personnel below officer rank. He was Chairman of an Inter Services Study Group, which was constituted to study and make recommendations in respect of the selection process for NDA, its service training syllabi and other curriculum. The study group under his leadership has made valuable recommendations towards meeting the future requirements of all the three services

Air Marshal Sunil Kumar Malik AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.