The Second bi-annual IAF Commanders’ Conference was inaugurated by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri on 10 Nov 21 at Air Headquarter (Vayu Bhawan). Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC, welcomed Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, CDS General Bipin Rawat PVSM UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM ADC and Secretary Defence Production Shri Raj Kumar. CAS introduced the IAF Commanders to the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri.
The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri addressed the Air Force Commanders on the inaugural day of the conference. In his address, the Raksha Mantri appreciated the IAF for maintaining a high level of preparedness, ability to respond on a short notice and displaying high standards of professionalism in carrying out operational and peace time tasks. The Raksha Mantri remarked on the volatile situation on our borders and said that the Armed Forces need to be prepared to respond at a short notice for any contingency. He brought out that the role of IAF in future conflicts is crucial and it needs to harness the capabilities and opportunities offered by AI, Big Data Handling and Machine Learning. He also mentioned that the efforts in the field of indigenization through ‘Make in India’ initiative of Govt of India is showing results and the orders of LCA Mk 1A and C-295 will open new opportunities in the indigenous aerospace sector. Expounding on theaterisation, he mentioned that enhancing jointness is essential and the structure should be evolved after closely examining various options, and inputs from all stake holders would be taken into consideration. The RM concluded by exhorting the commanders to brainstorm to evolve viable solutions towards the conference theme of, “Ensuring Certainty amidst Uncertainities”. The CAS thereafter briefed the Raksha Mantri on the current status of the IAF.
The CAS addressed all Commanders and emphasized on the need to develop multi-domain capability in order to give a swift and befitting response to any misadventures by our adversaries. He also emphasized on the need for joint training with the Indian Army and Indian Navy to enable synergized application of combat power in future conflicts. The CAS complimented all the commanders for maintaining a high state of readiness despite challenges posed by the pandemic.
The Commanders’ Conference is being conducted from 10 Nov 21 to 12 Nov 21. Uncertainty in the geo-political landscape makes it an imperative for the armed forces to train, equip and adapt to rapid changes. During the Conference, commanders will discuss and brainstorm situations which may affect National Security and focus on measures to enhance operational capability. Issues pertaining to strengthening training and optimising HR policies for effective utilization of manpower will also be discussed.
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COMMODORE COMMANDANTS
COMMODORE COMMANDANTS
RANK
NAME
UNIT
AIR MSHL
R KUMAR, VM
3 SQN
AIR MSHL
RKS BHADAURIA, PVSM AVSM VM
5 SQN
AIR MSHL
J WALIA, PVSM VM VSM ADC
6 SQN
AIR MSHL
SB DEO, PVSM AVSM VM VSM ADC
15 SQN
AIR MSHL
K SHARMA
23 SQN
AIR MSHL
U SINGH, AVSM
35 SQN
AIR MSHL
HS ARORA, AVSM
51 SQN
AIR MSHL
R NAMBIAR, AVSM VM & BAR
ASTE
AIR MSHL
RD MATHUR, AVSM VSM
FIS
AIR MSHL
HN BHAGWAT, AVSM VM
AFAC
AIR MSHL
RKS SHERA, AVSM VSM
AFTC
AVM
A DEV, VSM
2 SQN
AVM
SK JHA
7 SQN
AVM
R HORA
16 SQN
AVM
AP SINGH
22 SQN
AVM
GS BEDI, VM VSM
26 SQN
AVM
S PUNTAMBEKAR
27 SQN
AVM
VR CHAUDHARI, AVSM VM
28 SQN
AVM
S SINGH, AVSM VM
30 SQN
AVM
SP DHARKAR, AVSM
31 SQN
AVM
BR KRISHNA, AVSM SC
37 SQN
AVM
S PRABHAKARAN, VM
45 SQN
AVM
S NIMESH, VSM
47 SQN
AVM
SK MOHLAH, VM
221 SQN
AVM
R RADHISH, AVSM VM
224 SQN
AVM
J CHALAPATI, VSM
OCU A
AVM
D CHOUDHARY
TACDE
AVM
OP TIWARI, AVSM VSM
25 SQN
AVM
MVR RAO, VM
41 SQN
AVM
A GUPTA
59 SQN
AVM
S KAPOOR, AVSM VM
78 SQN
AVM
A TIWARI, VM VSM
105 HU
AVM
AMAR PRASAD BABU G, VM
115 HU
AVM
B CHANDRASEKHAR
130 HU
AVM
PK MOHEY, VSM
141 SSS FLT
AVM
KD AWASTHI, VSM
3004 SQN
AIR CMDE
N TIWARI,VM
1 SQN
AIR CMDE
MS AWANA, AVSM VSM
4 SQN
AIR CMDE
MS DESWAL, VM
8 SQN
AIR CMDE
S DIXIT VM,VSM
9 SQN
AIR CMDE
SK VIDHATE, AVSM VM
10 SQN
AIR CMDE
R PUROHIT, VSM
14 SQN
AIR CMDE
G THOMAS, VM
20 SQN
AIR CMDE
SABHARWAL, VSM
21 SQN
AIR CMDE
AK BHARTI, VM
24 SQN
AIR CMDE
RAJAT MOHAN, VM
29 SQN
AIR CMDE
SR SINGH, VM VSM
32 SQN
AIR CMDE
SP SINGH, VSM
52 SQN
AIR CMDE
S BANERJEE
220 SQN
AIR CMDE
SURAT SINGH, AVSM VM VSM
223 SQN
AIR CMDE
N KAPOOR, VM
AD FLT
AIR CMDE
SK INDORIA, AVSM VM
12 SQN
AIR CMDE
S BANERJEE
43 SQN
AIR CMDE
S SRINIVASAN, AVSM VSM
48 SQN
AIR CMDE
A SAKLANI, VM
49 SQN
AIR CMDE
B SAJU, VM
50 SQN
AIR CMDE
TEJBIR SINGH, AVSM VM
77 SQN
AIR CMDE
CK KUMAR, VM
181 FLT
AIR CMDE
SP SINGH, VSM
AHQ COM SQN
AIR CMDE
BV UPADHYAY, VM
PTS
AIR CMDE
UMESH KUMAR
107 HU
AIR CMDE
AR SHENDYE, VM
109 HU
AIR CMDE
S SRIVASTAVA
110 HU
AIR CMDE
AK PUNTAMBEKAR
111 HU
AIR CMDE
NN REDDY
112 HU
AIR CMDE
S SOOD, VM
116 HU
AIR CMDE
SK MISHRA, VM
118 HU
AIR CMDE
M GUPTA, VM
119 HU
AIR CMDE
NB SATHE
121 HF
AIR CMDE
BS KRISHNA KUMAR, KC
122 HF
AIR CMDE
A LAL, VM
125 H SQN
AIR CMDE
KH SURESH, AVSM VSM
126 HF
AIR CMDE
N SANTOSH, VSM
127 HU
AIR CMDE
R MAHAJAN, VM
128 HU
AIR CMDE
SK JHA, VSM
129 HU
AIR CMDE
G SINGH
131 FAC FLT
AIR CMDE
P MAHESHWAR, VM
132 FAC FLT
AIR CMDE
AS PATHANIA, VSM
142 SSS FLT
AIR CMDE
S MISRA, VM
151 HU
AIR CMDE
S JOSE
152 HU
AIR CMDE
B MANIKANTAN, AVSM VM
153 HU
AIR CMDE
A SURESH KUMAR
3001 SQN
AIR CMDE
RS DAGAR, VM
3003 SQN
PRESIDENT STANDARDS
PRESIDENT STANDARDS
The award of President's colours/standard is one of the greatest honours bestowed upon an Air Force Unit or Squadron in recognition of exceptional service rendered by it to the nation, both during war and in peace.
UNIT / SQN
DATE & PLACE
No. 1 Squadron
18 Oct 1968
No. 12 Squadron
12 Mar 1971
No. 3 Squadron
18 Mar 1975
No. 5 Squadron
09 Apr 1975
No. 106 Squadron
09 Apr 1975
Air Force Academy
10 Sep 1975 / Hyderabad
No. 16 Squadron
13 Nov 1976
No. 23 Squadron
13 Nov 1976
No. 101 Squadron
19 Nov 1975
No. 2 Squadron
15 Dec 1979
No. 4 Squadron
15 Dec 1979
No. 6 Squadron
20 Dec 1980
No. 7 Squadron
20 Dec 1980
No. 8 Squadron
05 Mar 1984
No. 9 Squadron
11 Dec 1984 / Palam
Air HQ Commn Sqn
11 Dec 1984 / Palam
No. 10 Squadron
18 Mar 1985 / Jodhpur
No. 11 Squadron
18 Mar 1985 / Jodhpur
No. 17 Squadron
08 Nov 1988 / Palam
No. 104 Helicopter Unit
08 Nov 1988 / Chandigarh
No. 28 Squadron
02 Apr 1991 / Pune
No. 109 Helicopter Unit
02 Apr 1991 / Pune
No. 20 Squadron
10 Mar 1992 / Kalaikunda
No. 43 Squadron
10 Mar 1992 / Kalaikunda
Paratroopers Trg School
11 Nov 1994 / Ambala
No. 14 Squadron
11 Nov 1994 / Ambala
No. 15 Squadron
26 Oct 1995 / Jodhpur
Flying Instructors School
26 Oct 1995 / Jodhpur
No. 27 Squadron
13 Nov 1996 / Gorakhpur
No. 114 Helicopter Unit
13 Nov 1996 / Gorakhpur
No. 29 Squadron
07 Nov 1997 / Palam
No. 41 Squadron
07 Nov 1997 / Palam
AFAC
24 Oct 2000 / Bareilly
No. 35 Squadron
24 Oct 2000 / Bareilly
AEB
01 Nov 2004 / Kanpur
1 BRD
01 Nov 2004 / Kanpur
ASTE
21 Nov 2005 / Bangalore
IAM
21 Nov 2005 / Bangalore
37 Sqn
15 Feb 2007
48 Sqn
15 Feb 2007
59 Sqn
12 Nov 2008
AFTC
12 Nov 2008
108 Sqn
22 Mar 2009
105 HU
25 Mar 2009
47 Sqn
10 Nov 2009
TACDE
10 Nov 2009
49 Sqn
09 Mar 2010
107 HU
09 Mar 2010
31 Sqn
08 Jan 2011
9 BRD
08 Jan 2011
44 Sqn
09 Mar 2011
110 HU
09 Mar 2011
24 Sqn
06 Mar 2012
111 HU
06 Mar 2012
33 Sqn
18 Dec 2012
25 Sqn
18 Dec 2012
AFCME
15 Mar 2013
3 BRD
15 Mar 2013
220 Sqn
20 Nov 2013
32 Sqn
20 Nov 2013
112 HU
11 Mar 2014
4 BRD
11 Mar 2014
26 Sqn
21 Nov 2014
115 HU
21 Nov 2014
21 Sqn
04 Mar 2015
116 HU
04 Mar 2015
18 Squadron & 22 Squadron
28 Nov 2015
BATTLE HONOURS
BATTLE HONOURS
A Battle Honour is an official commemoration of a battle, action or engagement and is awarded to flying squadrons, flights and units that have taken active, creditable and outstanding part in that operation.
LIST OF UNITS AWARDED WITH BATTLE HONOURS DURING 1995
1 Squadron Indo Pak Conflict (1965)
2 Squadron Indo Pak Conflict (1965)
3 Squadron (Two Battle Honours) Indo Pak Conflict (1965)
10 Squadron J & K Operation (1947-48)
16 Squadron Indo Pak Conflict (1965)
18 Squadron Indo Pak Conflict (1971)
20 Squadron (Two Battle Honours) Indo Pak Conflict (1971)
A theatre honour is an official commemoration of the creditable performance of a formation or a unit in support of air operations in a defined theatre of operation. Theatre honour is awarded to formations and units which are not entitled to Battle Honours, ie., non-flying units
1999 : OP SAFED SAGAR
1 Wing, AF
8 Wing, AF
8 FBSU, AF
299 Sqn, AF
256 SU, AF
305 TRU, AF
311 TRU, AF
411 MOF, AF
422 MOF, AF
457 MOF, AF
Mention-in-Despatches
MENTION-IN-DESPATCHES
Design of the Medal
Instituted on 25 Nov 1950 for distinguished and meritorious service in operational areas and acts of gallantry which are not of a sufficiently high order to warrant the grant of gallantry awards.
Medal: A recipient of a Mention-in-Despatches shall be entitled to wear an emblem, which shall be a lotus leaf on the ribbon of the Campaign Medal, relating to the Campaign in which the mention was made.
Personnel Eligible: All Army, Navy and Air Force personnel including personnel of the Reserve Force, Territorial Army, Militia and other lawfully constituted Armed Forces, members of the Nursing services and civilians working under or with the Armed forces will be eligible.
Conditions of Eligibility: Awarded for distinguished and meritorious service in operational areas and acts of gallantry which are not of a sufficiently high order to warrant the grant of gallantry awards. Names may be included posthumously. There is no objection to a person's name being mentioned in more than one despatch.
Certificate: A certificate in the following form will be issued to each individual where name is mentioned in a despatch:-
"Under the orders of the President of the Republic of India the mention of name a despatch by the Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army/Indian Navy/Indian Air Force, was published in the Gazette of India on.
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
UTTAM YUDH SEVA MEDAL
Design of the Medal and Ribbon
Instituted on 26 Jun 1980 to recognize the distinguished service of an exceptional order during war/conflict/hostilities.
Medal: Circular in shape, 35 mm in diameter and fitted to a plain horizontal bar with standard fittings and is made of gold gilt. The medal have on its obverse the State Emblem and the inscriptions UTTAM YUDH SEVA MEDAL (in English). On its reverse, it has a five pointed star.
Ribbon: Golden colour with two red vertical stripes dividing it into three equal parts.
Bar: If a recipient of the medal is subsequently awarded the medal again, every such further award shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the medal is suspended. For every such Bar, a miniature insignia of a pattern approved by the Government shall be added to the riband when worn alone.
Personnel Eligible: The following categories of personnel shall be eligible for the medal :-
All ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force including those of Territorial Army Units, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces and other lawfully constituted Armed Forces when embodied.
Nursing officers and other members of the Nursing Services in the Armed Forces.
Conditions of Eligibility: The medal is awarded for distinguished service of an exceptional order during war/ conflict/ hostilities. The medal may be awarded posthumously.
Vayu Sena Medal
VAYU SENA MEDAL
Design of the Medal and Ribbon
Instituted on 26 Jan 1960 to recognise exceptional devotion to duty or acts of courage by Air Force personnel. In 1994, the award was spilt into VM (Devotion to duty) and VM (Gallantry).
Medal: The medal is five-pointed star, made of standard silver 35 mm in diameter. The mounting is fixed on a ring attached to a metal strip 3 mm wide ornamented with Ashoka leaves. The State Emblem is embossed on obverse, in the centre, encircled by a garland of leaves. On its reverse, it has representation of Himalayan Eagle with the inscription below it.
Ribbon: 32 mm in width in alternate stripes of saffron and silver grey, each 3 mm in width running diagonally from right to left.
Bar: The Bar to the Medal (when awarded) is attached to the ribbon by which the Medal is suspended. On those occasions when only the ribbon is worn, a suitable miniature insignia of a pattern approved by the Government is to be tied to the center of the ribbon.
Personnel Eligible: The following categories of personnel shall be eligible for the award of the Medal:-
Officers and airmen of the Regular Air Force and officers and airmen of Auxiliary Air Force, Air Defence Reserve and Regular Reserve when called upon under Section 25 of the Reserve and Auxiliary Air Force Act, 1952.
Army officers serving as pilots in Aviation Corp. will also be eligible for the award of this Medal.
Conditions of Eligibility: The award is given for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Air Force. VM (Gallantry) is awarded in recognition of an act of courage whereas VM (Devotion to duty) is awarded in recognition of individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty. A bar shall be given for every subsequent award of the Medal to a person. Award may be made posthumously.
Monetary Allowance: Rs. 500/- to p.m. attached when awarded for courageous acts with effect from 01.02.1999.
Vishisht Seva Medal
VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL
Design of the Medal and Ribbon
Instituted on 26 Jan 1960 and as VSM Class-III to recognise the distinguished service of a high order. It was renamed on 27.01.1967 as VSM.
Medal: Circular in shape, 35 mm in diameter and fitted to a plain horizontal bar with standard fitting. The medal is made of bronze. On its obverse is embossed a five-pointed star and on its reverse is the State Emblem and the inscription embossed along the upper rim.
Ribbon: The ribbon is of gold colour with three dark blue stripes dividing it into four equal parts.
Bar: If a recipient of the medal is subsequently awarded the medal again, every such further award shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the medal is suspended.
Personnel Eligible: The following categories of personnel shall be eligible for the medal :-
All ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force including Territorial Army Units, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces (when embodied) and other lawfully constituted Armed Forces.
Nursing officers and other members of the Nursing Services in the Armed Forces.
Conditions of Eligibility: The medal is awarded for distinguished service of a high order.
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
ATI VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL
Design of the Medal and Ribbon
Instituted on 26 Jan 1960 as VSM Class-II for distinguished Service of an exceptional order. It was renamed on 27.01.1967 as AVSM.
Medal: Circular in shape, 35 mm in diameter and fitted to a plain horizontal bar with standard fitting. The medal is made of standard silver. On its obverse is embossed a five-pointed star and on its reverse is the State Emblem and the inscription embossed along the upper rim.
Ribbon: The ribbon is of gold colour with two dark blue stripes dividing it into three equal parts.
Bar: If a recipient of the medal is subsequently awarded the medal again, every such further award shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the medal is suspended. For every such Bar, a miniature insignia of a pattern approved by the Government shall be added to the riband when worn alone.
Personnel Eligible: The following categories of personnel shall be eligible for the medal :-
All ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force including Territorial Army Units, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces (when embodied) and other lawfully constituted Armed Forces.
Nursing officers and other members of the Nursing Services in the Armed Forces.
Conditions of Eligibility: The medal is awarded for distinguished service of an exceptional order.