Air Marshal Mehra pays farewell visit to Jamnagar station

Jamnagar, Apr 20 (UNI) Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Air Command (SWAC) Air Marshal P K Mehra today called at the Jamnagar Air Force Station in a farewell visit. He is slated to retire on April 30.

''The Jamnagar station is one of the most important air force stations in the country,'' Air Marshal Mehra said during his visit while recalling that he had received his training as a pilot in 1968 at this station.

This station has received the best station award, Air Marshal Mehra informed while speaking to mediapersons.

''This station saw the phasing out of Mig-23MF aircraft on March 20. Now this station will have new Jaguar aircraft next month,'' he said adding that, ''Our present challenge is to provide security cover to the Special Economy Zones of Saurashtra.'' Apart from Jamnagar, Air Marshal Mehra has served in Bikaner station and Hashimara station of East Bengal as a special commander.

Air Marshal Mehra had taken over command of SWAC on March 1 last year.

Commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in 1968, Air Marshal Mehra began his flying career with the Vampire aircraft. He had taken active part in the 1971 Indo-Pak War when he flew Hunter aircraft from forward bases in the east.

Air Marshal Mehra has flown almost all types of aircraft in the Indian Air Force and has over 5000 hours of flying experience.

UNI