Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha Assumes Command of IAF’s Western Air Command
New Delhi. Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha took over as Commander in Chief, Western Air Command on January 1, just at the start of New Year 2023. He succeeds Air Marshal S Prabhakran who retired.
Hours after the ceremonial takeover at the New Delhi-based Western Air Command HQ, Air Marshal Sinha took a flight for an inspection visit to forward bases in Thoise and Leh in Ladakh, and interacted with the officers and other personnel there for a review of the latest situation and requirements.
The distinguished officer had joined Indian Air Force in 1985 as a fighter pilot, has more than 4,500 hours of flying to his credit, has been a “fighter striker leader,” and has also held the key assignment of Director General Air Operations besides holding charge earlier as Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Offensive) at the Air Headquarters.
The Air Marshal is a graduate of National Defence Academy, Pune and is an alumnus of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. An experienced fighter pilot, Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Striker Leader, Instrument Rating Instructor & Examiner, Air Marshal Sinha has tenanted important Command and Staff appointments in his service career spanning over 37 years. These include Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron, Chief Instructor (Flying) at a flying station, Training Coordination Officer at Royal Air Force Valley, United Kingdom where he flew the Hawk aircraft, Principal Director Personnel Officers at Air Headquarters, Air Officer Commanding of a prestigious Air Force Station, Air Assistant to Chief of the Air Staff and Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Offensive) at Air Headquarters.
He is the Commodore Commandant of a premier fighter Sqn and was Director General Air Operations at Air Headquarters prior to taking over the present appointment.
The Air Officer is a recipient of ‘Vishist Seva Medal’ VSM and ‘Ati Vishist Seva Medal AVSM.
