The Vayu Sena Medal is a gallantry award for servicemen in the Indian Air Force. It was instituted on 17 June 1960 by the President of India and is usually awarded in peacetime. However, it has been granted during times of conflict for acts of gallantry in the face of enemy (although not as many times as the Vir Chakra Decoration).
It is possible to receive the Vayu Sena Medal posthumously.
The Vayu Sena Medal Design
The medal is a four-armed silver star with the ends shaped like lotus flower blooms.
The obverse bears the national emblem of India. The reverse shows a Himalayan Eagle with wings spread, and the legend, above and below, in Hindi “Vayu Sena Medal” or “Air Force Medal“.
The ribbon measure 30 mm wide and alternates 2mm diagonal stripes in grey and orange-saffron.
