New Delhi: Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha has assumed command of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command.

The Air Marshal is a graduate of National Defence Academy, Pune and was commissioned into the IAF as a fighter pilot in Jun 1985.

He 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 and Examiner, Air Marshal Sinha has more than 4500 hours of flying experience.

In his service career spanning over 37 years, the Air Marshal has tenanted important command and staff appointments.

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’ and ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. /BI/