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Lakshman Madhav Katre
Air Chief Marshal Lakshman Madhav Katre, PVSM, AVSM and Bar (1927–1985) was the head of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from 1984 to 1985, as Chief of the Air Staff and the second IAF Chief of Staff to die in harness. He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Bar.[2][3] He hailed from the Konkani community[4] and completed his schooling from The Doon School, Dehradun, India.[5] He joined the Royal Indian Air Force on 3 Aug 1944 as an officer cadet and was granted an emergency commission in the General Duties (Pilot) branch on 9 Apr 1945.[1] In his career in the lAF, he commanded with distinction squadrons, stations and the Air Force Academy. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he successfully conducted uninterrupted operations from one of the most forward airfields, which was regularly attacked by the Pakistan Air Force. This was due to his meticulous planning. As the Commandant of the Air Force Academy at Dundigal, he expanded the facilities to cater for the training of ground duty officers. Flying activity at the base was successfully reoriented for advance training on jet aircraft and a safety record was achieved during his tenure. On completion of a Royal College of Defence Studies course in England in 1976, he was appointed Senior Air Staff officer of a major air command. Under his direction, the operational effectiveness of the forces in the command increased greatly. With his wide experience of fighter flying, he was able to conduct various air exercises which simulated realistic battle conditions. In 1983, he also served as the Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.[6] He died suddenly while still serving, on 1 July 1985. The Katre House in The Air Force School (Subroto Park) was named after him. Military honours and awards
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