PVSM, AVSM, VM
Indian Air Force

Air Marshal P K Mehra retired as AOC-in-C South Western Air Command in Apr 2007 after serving for nearly 40 years in the Indian Air Force. He was commissioned as a ‘Fighter Pilot’ in May 1968 and took part in Indo-Pak war of 1971 flying Hunter aircraft. He served in various capacities which included operational, instructional, acquisition and experimental test flying. Operational tenures included command of a combat squadron, operational air bases and finally as the ‘Air Officer Commanding in Chief’ of an operational command with responsibility for the South West sector of Indian region. The instructional tours included training the pilots of the ‘Republic of Singapore Air Force’ for 2 years. He served two tenures in Air Headquarters’ acquisition directorate and was involved in the procurement process of many systems with cutting edge technology. He was involved in Experimental test flying evaluating a number of systems, both developed indigenously and from abroad for nearly 12 years. He rose to the levels of ‘Chief Test Pilot’ and ‘Commandant’ of ‘Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment’ which is the flight test centre of the Indian Air Force. The other important positions held by him were Air Defence Commander in South Western Air Command during Op Parakram, ACAS (Intelligence) and Senior Air Staff Officer in Central Air Command. He has flown over 5500 hrs on fighter combat aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters. He was awarded PVSM, AVSM and VM by the President of India in recognition of the distinguished service to the nation.