Key Military Appointment: IAF Gets A New Western Air Commander

Vishal Thapar Jan 02, 2023

Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha, an experienced fighter pilot who has flown over 4,500 hours on a variety of fighter aircraft, took over as the head of the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Western Air Command on January 1.

The mandate of the Western Air Command, considered the sword arm of the IAF, extends from Ladakh to Rajasthan, covering high stakes international boundaries with China and Pakistan.

Air Marshal Sinha took over from the retiring Air Marshal S Prabhakaran at a time of a protracted and continuing 32-month stand-off with China on the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh.

Upon taking over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command, Air Marshal Sinha visited the key airbases at Thoise and Leh in Ladakh to review operational preparedness and greet air warriors on New Year’s Day.

He was Director-General Air Operations at Air Headquarters prior to taking over as the Western Air Force Commander, which is the most high-profile operational posting in the IAF. Air Marshal Sinha has served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Offensive) at Air Headquarters in two-star rank. He also headed the Secretariat of the Chief of Air Staff as Air Assistant to the Chief after commanding a key airbase.

Air Marshal Sinha was also the Training Coordination Officer at the Royal Air Force Academy in the UK during the induction of the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) into the IAF.

“The Air Marshal is a graduate of National Defence Academy, Pune and was commissioned into the IAF as a fighter pilot in June 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 & Examiner, Air Marshal Sinha has more than 4500 hours of flying experience. The Air Officer is a recipient of ‘Vashist Seva Medal’ and ‘Ati Vashist Seva Medal,” the Ministry of Defence stated in a press release announcing the key military appointment.