Air Marshal PK Barbora takes charge as vice chief of the IAF

Air Marshal Pranab Kumar Barbora PVSM VM ADC assumes charge as the new vice chief of air staff (VCAS) at air headquarters. He was formerly the air officer commanding-in-chief (AOC-in-C) of IAF's Western Air Command (WAC) and prior to that of the Eastern Air Command (EAC).

His tenure at the WAC saw increased interactions with the Northern, Western and South Western Commands of the Indian Army. These resulted in successful joint exercises - 'Achook Vaar', 'Udaan Prahaar' and 'Hind Shakti'.

Among other accomplishments achieved during his tenure as the chief of IAF's largest operational command included the reactivation of Daulat Beg Oldie airfield after over four decades of closure and that of the Fuk Che Advanced Landing Ground (ALG).

 The Su-30 MKIs also began operations from Leh, the highest airbase in the world.

Under his command, WAC achieved very high aircraft utilization rates even as night operations by the fighter and transport aircraft increased substantially. Another important accomplishment was the 'zero' flying accident rate achieved by the WAC, although it accounts for nearly thirty-five percent of IAF's flying.

Air Marshal Barbora was commissioned into the IAF as a fighter pilot on 13 June 1970. A highly experienced aviator, with over 3500 hours to his credit, he also took part in the 1971 war.