By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 1: Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Eastern Air Command (EAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), while Air Marshal Devendra P Hirani assumed charge as the Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at the EAC.
Air Marshal Walia took over the appointment on Sunday succeeding Air Marshal Surat Singh, who superannuated on January 31 after 39 years of distinguished service to the nation.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Walia was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on June 11, 1988. A highly experienced fighter pilot, he is qualified on multiple aircraft platforms including the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI, and has logged over 3,200 hours of accident- and incident-free flying.
During a career spanning more than three decades, the Air Officer has held a wide range of key command and staff appointments.
He has commanded a MiG-27 Squadron, the prestigious Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), and served as Air Officer Commanding of a frontline air base. He is a Fighter Strike Leader and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner (IRIE).
Air Marshal Walia has also undergone advanced professional military education, including the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College in Bangladesh. His international exposure includes serving as Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassies in Japan and South Korea.
At Air Headquarters and various Commands, he has tenanted important appointments such as Air Commodore at the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI), Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training) at Air HQ, and Air Defence Commander at Headquarters Western Air Command. Prior to assuming his present role, he served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Eastern Air Command.
In recognition of his distinguished and meritorious service, Air Marshal Walia was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (VM) in 2008 and the Ati Vishisht Sena Medal (AVSM) in 2018.
Air Marshal Hirani
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 15, 1990, Air Marshal Hirani is a Qualified Flying Instructor with close to 5,000 hours of flying experience on a wide range of helicopters and trainer aircraft. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management, and the National Defence College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
During his distinguished career, the Air Officer has commanded a training unit as well as key frontline air bases in the Northern Sector. He has also held several important staff appointments at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), Air Headquarters, various Command Headquarters, and Headquarters Air Officer Commanding Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh (AOC JK&L). In addition, he has served as an inspector with the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI).
Air Marshal Hirani has significant international and operational exposure, having been deputed to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. Prior to assuming his present appointment, he served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel, Airmen & Civilians) at Air Headquarters.
In recognition of his exemplary and distinguished service to the nation, Air Marshal Hirani was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2015 and the Yudh Seva Medal in 2022.
