New chiefs take charge at IAF’s Southern, Eastern Commands

Mysuru, Sept 02: The Indian Air Force (IAF) saw two senior Air Marshals taking charge at its Southern and Eastern Commands.

At the Headquarters Training Command situated in Bengaluru, Air Marshal S R K Nair, took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief. Similarly, at the Eastern Air Command situated in Shillong, Air Marshal C Hari Kumar took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

Air Marshal Nair has over 7000 hours of flying in his kitty

Commissioned in the transport stream of the IAF in 1980, Air Marshal Nair is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Air Force Examiner. Hailing from Thrivananthapuram, Air Marshal Nair has a rich and varied flying experience of over 7000 hrs in various transport and trainer aircraft.

He has taken active part and flown extensively towards Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka), Operation Cactus (Maldives) and Operation Parakram, Operation Safed Sagar - both in Kargil.

He has the unique distinction of being selected to lead the first Indian contingent for airborne exercises to three different countries. During the exercise in the US, he pioneered a flight on IL-76 to the North Pole and back, the only Indian aircraft to do so. He has also circumnavigated the globe.

He was instrumental in commencing operations both by AN-32 and C-130 Hercules to 'Daulat Beg Olde - on the India-China border -- the highest airstrip in the world and has himself landed in the AN-32.

The Air Marshal has held key appointments, including Chief Operations Officer of a Transport Base, Commanding Officer of a strategic Air lift Squadron, Director Operations (Transport), at Air Headquarters and Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Chandigarh among others.

He is a recipient of Vayu Sena Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.

Air Marshal Hari too held key positions

Air Marshal Hari is a Fighter Combat Leader and a Qualified Flying Instructor and was commissioned in the Fighter Stream in 1979.

He has held various important field and staff appointments during his career spanning over 36 years. Prior to taking over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Air Command, he was the Senior Air Staff Officer, South Western Air Command.

For his distinguished service to the Nation, he has been decorated with Vayu Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

OneIndia News