By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Air Marshal S Varthaman on Monday took over as chief of the Indian Air Force’s Eastern Air Command . Varthaman took over the command from Air Marshal Kishan Kumar Nohwar, who assumed charge as vice chief of the IAF. Inducted as a fighter pilot in 1973, Varthaman is among the few selected pilots in service to hold the distinction of having flown 40 types of aircraft with over 4,000 flying hours to his credit.During the Kargil War, Varthaman was the chief operations officer at Gwalior airbase.