During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Lieutenant Colonel VP Airy was commanding the 3 Grenadiers battalion which was deployed on the western front in the area of Bhairo Nath and Basantar River in the Shakargarh Sector, and was tasked to thwart any Pakistani army aggression and to capture the enemy area. Lieutenant Colonel VP Airy led his men from the front in a cool and calm demeanour, which inspired and motivated the entire battalion to take on the enemy. The battalion not only captured the enemy positions after fierce fighting but held on to them in spite of massive counter-attacks by Pakistani troops. Under heavy enemy shelling and small arms fire, he went from trench to trench motivating his men. Due to his personal example, conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership in keeping with the best traditions of the Indian Army he was awarded with the Maha Vir Chakra which is India's second highest military decoration.