Pankaj Mohan Sinha

Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha, PVSM, AVSM, VSM is an officer in the Indian Air Force. Currently, he is serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Western Air Command. He took over the office on 1 January 2023, succeeding of Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran.[2]

Air Marshal
Pankaj Mohan Sinha
PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Personal details
AwardsParam Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Air Force
Years of service14 June 1985 - Present
Rank Air Marshal
UnitNo.2 Squadron
CommandsWestern Air Command
Service number17842[1]

Early life and education

Pankaj Mohan Sinha is a graduate of National Defence Academy. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.[3]

Career

Pankaj Mohan Sinha was commissioned as the fighter pilot in June 1985 in the Indian Air Force. In a career spanning over 37 years, he has as more than 4,500 hours of flying experience across various aircraft.[4]

He is a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Striker Leader, Instrument Rating Instructor & Examiner. He served as the Commanding Officer of No.2 Squadronin the Eastern Sector. He was also the Training Coordination Officer at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, UK during the induction of the Hawk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) into the Indian Air Force.[5][6]

As Air Commodore, he served as the Air Assistant to Chief of Air Staff. Later, served as the Air Officer Commanding of the 40 Wing in Gwalior under Central Air Command.[5]

As Air Vice Marshal, he served as the Air Officer Commanding of the Composite Battle Response and Analysis Group (CoBRA-G) a key unit of Indian Air Force deals with the doctrine development, force employment and strategy. After this stint, he served as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Ops Offensive and then oversaw the operations of Western sector as Air Officer Commanding of the Jammu & Kashmir region.[7]

After his promotion to Air Marshal in July 2021, he served as the Director General, Air (Operations) till 31 December 2022.[5]

He took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command on 1 January 2023, succeeding of Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran on his superannuation.[2]

Honours and decorations

During his career, Pankaj Mohan Sinha has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014 and Vishisht Seva Medal in 2007.[8][9][10]

Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vayusena Medal

References
  1. "Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  2. "AIR MARSHAL PANKAJ MOHAN SINHA ASSUMES COMMAND OF IAF'S WESTERN AIR COMMAND" (Press release). PIB. 2023-01-01.
  3. "AIR MARSHAL PANKAJ MOHAN SINHA ASSUMES COMMAND OF IAF'S WESTERN AIR COMMAND". Indian Air Force. 2023-01-01.
  4. "Air Marshal Pankaj M Sinha takes over as chief of IAF's Western Command". Times of India. 2023-01-01.
  5. "IAF Gets A Key New Commander". Business World. 2023-01-01.
  6. "Air Marshal Pankaj M Sinha takes over as Chief of IAF's Western Command". Deccan Herald. 2023-01-01.
  7. "AOC J&K meets Governor". Greater Kashmir. 2019-05-19.
  8. "President approves 412 Gallantry awards and other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day". PIB. 2023-01-25.
  9. "368 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced". PIB. 2014-01-25.
  10. "Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations". PIB. 2007-01-25.
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