Eastern Air Command (India): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = '''Eastern Air Command'''
| unit_name = '''Eastern Air Command'''
| image = EAC Crest.jpg
| image = File:Eastern Air Command (India).png
| image_size = 100
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Emblem of the Eastern Air Command
| caption = Emblem of the Eastern Air Command
| dates =  
| dates =  
| country = [[India]]
| country = {{flag|India}}
| branch = [[Indian Air Force]]
| branch = {{air force|India}}
| type = Operational Air Command
| type = Operational Air Command
| role = [[Air superiority fighter|Air Defence]], [[Offensive counter air attack|OCA]], [[Close Air Support|Offensive Ground Support]], Civilian Relief.
| role = [[Air superiority fighter|Air Defence]], [[Offensive counter air attack|OCA]], [[Close Air Support|Offensive Ground Support]], Civilian Relief.
Line 15: Line 15:
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname =  
| nickname =  
| motto = {{lang-sa|italic=yes|Samareshu Parakramah}}
| motto = {{langx|sa|italic=yes|Samareshu Parakramah}}
| colors =  
| colors =  
| colors_label =  
| colors_label =  
| battles = [[Sino-Indian War|1962 Sino-Indian War]], [[East Pakistan Operations 1971]], [[Operation Meghdoot]], [[Cyclone 05B (1999)|Orissa Super-Cyclone Relief, 1999]]
| battles = [[Sino-Indian War|1962 Sino-Indian War]], [[East Pakistan Operations 1971]], [[Operation Meghdoot]], [[Cyclone 05B (1999)|Orissa Super-Cyclone Relief, 1999]], [[Operation All Clear]] (MEDEVAC and support)
| anniversaries = <!-- Commanders -->
| anniversaries = <!-- Commanders -->
| commander1 = Air Marshal [[Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar]], [[AVSM]]
| commander1 = Air Marshal [[Inderpal Singh Walia]], {{post nominals|country=IND|AVSM|VM}}
| commander1_label = [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]]
| commander1_label = [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]]
| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia -->
| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia -->
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}}
}}


The '''Eastern Air Command''' is one of the five operational [[Command (military formation)|commands]] of the [[Indian Air Force]]. Currently headquartered in [[Shillong]] in [[Meghalaya]]. Named '''No. 1 Operational Group''' at the time of its inception, 27 May 1958, it was based at Ranikutir in [[Kolkata]] as a part of the [[Government of India|Govt]]'s increasing emphasis on defence of the eastern borders. The Operational Group was upgraded as Command on 1 December 1959 with headquarters at [[Fort William, India|Fort William]], [[Kolkata]] and Air Vice Marshal KL Sondhi as the first AOC-in-C of the Eastern Command. After the [[Sino-Indian War|1962 Indo-Chinese War]], The decision was made to raise a full-fledged command at Shillong. The area of responsibility of the command now covers 11 states, and is bound by the international boundaries of [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]], [[China]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Bangladesh]] incorporating 6300&nbsp;km of common border. Eastern Air Command now has permanent airbases at [[Chabua]], [[Guwahati]], [[Bagdogra]], [[Barrackpore]], [[Hasimara]], [[Jorhat]], [[Kalaikunda]] and [[Tezpur]] with forward airbases at [[Agartala]], [[Kolkata]], [[Panagarh]] and [[Shillong]]. Eastern Air Command consists of [[Air superiority fighter|Air Defence]] squadrons consisting of the [[MiG-21]] and [[Ground attack]] squadrons consisting of the [[MiG-27]]. It holds the motto "Samareshu Parakramaha" (''Lit: Valour in battle''),
The '''Eastern Air Command''' is one of the five operational [[Command (military formation)|commands]] of the [[Indian Air Force]]. Currently headquartered in [[Shillong]] in [[Meghalaya]]. It was initially raised as '''No. 1 Operational Group''' on 27 May 1958 at Ranikutir, [[Kolkata]] as a part of the [[Government of India|Government]]'s increasing emphasis on defence of the eastern borders. The Operational Group was upgraded as Command on 1 December 1959 with headquarters at [[Fort William, India|Fort William]], [[Kolkata]] and re raises as a full fledged command at [[Shillong]].
 
The present Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief is [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Inderpal Singh Walia]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia assumes charge as AOC in C of Eastern Air Command|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Feb/01/air-marshal-inderpal-singh-walia-assumes-charge-as-aoc-in-c-of-eastern-air-command|website=The New Indian Express|date=2026-02-01|access-date=2026-02-01|language=en|first=Express News|last=Service}}</ref>
 
== History ==
It was initially raised as '''No. 1 Operational Group''' on 27 May 1958 at Ranikutir, [[Kolkata]] as a part of the [[Government of India|Government]]'s increasing emphasis on defence of the eastern borders. The Operational Group was upgraded as Command on 1 December 1959 with headquarters at [[Fort William, India|Fort William]], [[Kolkata]] and Air Vice Marshal KL Sondhi as the first AOC-in-C of the Eastern Command. After the [[Sino-Indian War|1962 Indo-Chinese War]], The decision was made to raise a full-fledged command at Shillong. The area of responsibility of the command now covers 11 states, and is bound by the international boundaries of [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]], [[China]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Bangladesh]] incorporating 6300&nbsp;km of common border. Eastern Air Command now has permanent airbases at [[Chabua]], [[Guwahati]], [[Bagdogra]], [[Barrackpore]], [[Hasimara]], [[Jorhat]], [[Kalaikunda]] and [[Tezpur]] with forward airbases at [[Agartala]], [[Kolkata]], [[Panagarh]] and [[Shillong]]. Eastern Air Command historically consisted of [[Air superiority fighter|Air Defence]] squadrons consisting of the [[MiG-21]] and [[Ground attack]] squadrons consisting of the [[MiG-27]], though today the command relies on [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI|SU-30MKIs]] and [[Dassault Rafale|Dassault Rafales]]. It holds the motto "Samareshu Parakramaha" (''Lit: Valour in battle'').


==Activities and responsibilities==
==Activities and responsibilities==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[image:HQ of EAC.jpg|thumb|170px|left|The current headquarters of the Easternn Air Command in [[Shillong]].|{{deletable image-caption|1=Thursday, 23 July 2009}}]] -->The Eastern Air Command has a specific mandate both during peace and war. In war situations, the command is tasked to conduct [[Offensive counter air|counter air operations]] and provides [[Close air support|offensive air support]] to Army and Para-Military Forces. In peace, the command swings into action whenever there is a natural calamity. It was extensively involved in relief operations in the aftermath of the [[Cyclone 05B (1999)|supercyclone in Orissa]] and has provided relief supplies during floods in [[Assam]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]].
The Eastern Air Command has a specific mandate both during peace and war. In war situations, the command is tasked to conduct [[Offensive counter air|counter air operations]] and provides [[Close air support|offensive air support]] to Army and Para-Military Forces. In peace, the command swings into action whenever there is a natural calamity. It was extensively involved in relief operations in the aftermath of the [[Cyclone 05B (1999)|supercyclone in Orissa]] and has provided relief supplies during floods in [[Assam]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]]. The command has three broad spheres of activity - operations, maintenance and administration. The fighter squadrons under the Eastern Air Command are equipped with MiG variants, and pilots are under continuous training for operational flying.
 
The command has three broad spheres of activity - operations, maintenance and administration. The fighter squadrons under the Eastern Air Command are equipped with MiG variants, and pilots are under continuous training for operational flying.


At [[Tezpur]], located on the northern bank of the [[Brahmaputra]] in Upper [[Assam]], newly commissioned [[Ab initio|ab-initio]] fighter pilots undergo fighter pilot training and on successful completion get inducted into various fighter squadrons in [[Indian Air Force|IAF]]. Majority of the fighter fleet of Eastern Air Command consists of [[MiG-21]] and the [[MiG-27]] (''Bahadur'').
At [[Tezpur]], located on the northern bank of the [[Brahmaputra]] in Upper [[Assam]], newly commissioned [[Ab initio|ab-initio]] fighter pilots undergo fighter pilot training and on successful completion get inducted into various fighter squadrons in [[Indian Air Force|IAF]]. Majority of the fighter fleet of Eastern Air Command consisted of [[MiG-21]] and the [[MiG-27]] (''Bahadur),'' before their retirement and replacement by SU-30MKIs and Dassault Rafales.  


The [[Cargo aircraft|transport aircraft]] and [[helicopter]] of the Eastern Air Command are critical in the [[North-East India]]. The [[topography]] in the hill regions restrict the construction of a standard [[runway]]. Tribal settlements in places like Menchuha, Vijaynagar and Tuting in remote and inaccessible areas of [[Arunachal Pradesh]] totally depend on the aerial supply by the Air Force. They also depend on these aircraft to airlift their sick and ailing. The district headquarters at [[Anini]], a conglomeration of about ten tribal settlements with a population of a couple of thousand in [[Arunachal Pradesh]] is the only one of its kind in the world which is totally air-maintained.
The [[Cargo aircraft|transport aircraft]] and [[helicopter]] of the Eastern Air Command are critical in the [[North-East India]]. The [[topography]] in the hill regions restrict the construction of a standard [[runway]]. Tribal settlements in places like Menchuha, Vijaynagar and Tuting in remote and inaccessible areas of [[Arunachal Pradesh]] totally depend on the aerial supply by the Air Force. They also depend on these aircraft to airlift their sick and ailing. The district headquarters at [[Anini]], a conglomeration of about ten tribal settlements with a population of a couple of thousand in [[Arunachal Pradesh]] is the only one of its kind in the world which is totally air-maintained.


Pilots operate from the advance landing grounds (ALG) with only one third of the length of a regular runway, having unique and uni-directional approach and take off requirements. This coupled with the vagaries of weather expects superior skills from the pilots and their navigators. Both man and machine are stretched to the limits of their capabilities.
Pilots operate from the advance landing grounds (ALG) with only one third of the length of a regular runway, having unique and uni-directional approach and take off requirements. This coupled with the vagaries of weather expects superior skills from the pilots and their navigators. Both man and machine are stretched to the limits of their capabilities. Helicopter operations also form a critical part of the responsibilities of the Easter Air Command. For the pilots who negotiate this remote and inaccessible terrain, the experience gained over the last five decades has been well assimilated. The contribution of Eastern Air Command in bringing relief and in aiding civilian population in times of calamity and strife is an unsung saga of commitment, daring and dedication.
 
Helicopter operations also form a critical part of the responsibilities of the Easter Air Command. For the pilots who negotiate this remote and inaccessible terrain, the experience gained over the last five decades has been well assimilated. The contribution of Eastern Air Command in bringing relief and in aiding civilian population in times of calamity and strife is an unsung saga of commitment, daring and dedication.


==War operations==
==War operations==
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image: Tangail Airdrop.jpg|thumb|180px|right|[[Tangail Airdrop]]: [[C-119]] aircraft dropping [[Para Commandos|Paratroops]] near [[Tangail]], about 100 km from [[Dhaka]]. 11 December, 1971.]] -->The Eastern Air Command was a major participant in 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]] and the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indo-Pak war of 1971]].
The Eastern Air Command was a major participant in 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]] and the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indo-Pak war of 1971]]. During the 1962 war, Eastern Air Command was tasked with mounting transport support missions, a task admirably performed by its [[Douglas DC-3|Dakota]]  and [[De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou|Caribou]] aircraft. It also mounted [[reconnaissance]] and [[CASEVAC|casualty evacuation]] sorties using the [[Bell Helicopter Textron|Bell]] and [[Sikorsky Aircraft|Sikorsky]] helicopters it operated at the time.
 
During the 1962 war, Eastern Air Command was tasked with mounting transport support missions, a task admirably performed by its [[Douglas DC-3|Dakota]]  and [[De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou|Caribou]] aircraft. It also mounted [[reconnaissance]] and [[CASEVAC|casualty evacuation]] sorties using the [[Bell Helicopter Textron|Bell]] and [[Sikorsky Aircraft|Sikorsky]] helicopters it operated at the time.


During the 1971 war, Eastern Air Command was tasked with offensive as well as supply operations. It was involved right from the first [[clash over Boyra]] to the [[Tangail Airdrop]]. It also operated [[Mil Mi-4|Mi-4]] helicopters in offensive roles behind enemy lines, operating from helicopter bases in [[Tripura]].
During the 1971 war, Eastern Air Command was tasked with offensive as well as supply operations. It was involved right from the first [[clash over Boyra]] to the [[Tangail Airdrop]]. It also operated [[Mil Mi-4|Mi-4]] helicopters in offensive roles behind enemy lines, operating from helicopter bases in [[Tripura]]. Kalaikunda, one of the oldest and most strategically placed airbases under Eastern Air Command, has supported fighter operations since the early post-independence years. Its historical transformation has been documented extensively.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gupta |first=Anchit |title=Evolution of Kalaikunda Airbase |url=https://iafhistory.in/2023/11/22/evolution-of-kalaikunda-airbase/ |website=IAFHistory |date=22 November 2023 |access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref>


==Organization==
==Organisation==
Squadrons include (as of 2015):
Squadrons include (as of 2015):


{| class="sortable" border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;"
{| class="sortable" border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;"  
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
!Squadron!!Base!!Equipment!!Notes
!Squadron!!Base!!Equipment!!Notes
Line 92: Line 91:
|No.14 Wing
|No.14 Wing
|-
|-
|[[Helicopter Unit]]
|Helicopter Unit
|[[Chabua Air Force Station]]
|[[Chabua Air Force Station]]
|[[Mi-8]]
|[[Mi-8]]
|No. 14 Wing
|No. 14 Wing
|-
|-
|[[Helicopter Unit]]
|Helicopter Unit
|[[Chabua Air Force Station]]
|[[Chabua Air Force Station]]
|[[Mi-17]]
|[[Mi-17]]
Line 112: Line 111:
|No. 19 Wing
|No. 19 Wing
|-
|-
|[[No. 142 SSS Flight, IAF]]
|No. 142 SSS Flight, IAF
|[[Bagdogra Air Force Station]]
|[[Bagdogra Air Force Station]]
|[[HAL Chetak]]
|[[HAL Chetak]]
Line 139: Line 138:


==Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief==
==Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" |'''List of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command'''
|+List of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief
|- style="background:#cccccc"
! Rank
! Rank
! Name
! Name
! From
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
! To
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
!Reference
|-
|-
| rowspan="7"|[[Air Vice Marshal]]
| rowspan="7"|[[Air Vice Marshal]]
| [[Kundan Lal Sondhi]]
| Kundan Lal Sondhi
| {{dts|format=dmy|1959|12|7}}<ref name="eac-brf">{{cite news|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/list.php?qunit=EAC|title=Eastern Air Command - BRF |access-date=14 May 2021|website=Bharat Rakshak}}</ref>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1959|12|7}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1961|12|28}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1961|12|28}}
|<ref name="eac-brf">{{cite news|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/list.php?qunit=EAC|title=List of Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Air Command|access-date=14 May 2021|website=Bharat Rakshak}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Kanwar Jaswant Singh]]
| [[Kanwar Jaswant Singh]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1962|03|3}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1962|03|3}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|01|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|01|1}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Shivdev Singh]]
| [[Shivdev Singh]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|01|14}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|01|14}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|06|9}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|06|9}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Ramaswamy Rajaram]]
| [[Ramaswamy Rajaram]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|06|10}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|06|10}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|08|4}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|08|4}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Minoo Merwan Engineer]]
| [[Minoo Merwan Engineer]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|08|5}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|08|5}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|09|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|09|30}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Yeshwant Vinayak Malse]]
| Yeshwant Vinayak Malse
| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|10|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|10|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|09|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|09|30}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Ranjan Dutt]]
| [[Ranjan Dutt]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|10|28}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|10|28}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1968|03|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1968|03|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| rowspan="33"|[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| rowspan="35"|[[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| [[Hirendra Nath Chatterjee]]
| Hirendra Nath Chatterjee
| {{dts|format=dmy|1968|04|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1968|04|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1971|03|23}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1971|03|23}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Hari Chand Dewan]]
| [[Hari Chand Dewan]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1971|03|24}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1971|03|24}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1973|03|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1973|03|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Maurice Barker]]
| [[Maurice Barker]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1973|04|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1973|04|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1976|04|21}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1976|04|21}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Lal Singh Grewal]]
| Lal Singh Grewal
| {{dts|format=dmy|1976|04|24}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1976|04|24}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|08|12}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|08|12}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Lakshman Madhav Katre]]
| [[Lakshman Madhav Katre]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|09|4}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|09|4}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1981|01|2}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1981|01|2}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Malcolm Wollen|Malcolm Shirley Dundas Wollen]]
| [[Malcolm Wollen|Malcolm Shirley Dundas Wollen]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1981|01|3}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1981|01|3}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1983|02|26}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1983|02|26}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Douglas George King-Lee]]
| Douglas George King-Lee
| {{dts|format=dmy|1983|03|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1983|03|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1983|11|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1983|11|30}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Minoo Jehangir Dotiwalla]]
| Minoo Jehangir Dotiwalla
| {{dts|format=dmy|1983|12|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1983|12|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1984|10|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1984|10|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Kapil Dev Chadha]]
| Kapil Dev Chadha
| {{dts|format=dmy|1984|11|5}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1984|11|5}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1987|12|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1987|12|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Man Mohan Sinha]]
| [[Man Mohan Sinha]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1988|02|8}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1988|02|8}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1991|1|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1991|1|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Rajendra Kumar Dhawan]]
| Rajendra Kumar Dhawan
| {{dts|format=dmy|1991|02|11}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1991|02|11}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1991|10|5}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1991|10|5}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Brijesh Dhar Jayal]]
| [[Brijesh Dhar Jayal]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1991|10|7}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1991|10|7}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1992|03|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1992|03|30}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Dushyant Singh (air marshal)|Dushyant Singh]]
| Dushyant Singh
| {{dts|format=dmy|1992|05|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1992|05|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1995|01|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1995|01|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Janak Kapur]]
| Janak Kapur
| {{dts|format=dmy|1995|02|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1995|02|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1996|03|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1996|03|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Prithvi Singh Brar]]
| Prithvi Singh Brar
| {{dts|format=dmy|1996|04|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1996|04|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1999|01|3}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1999|01|3}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Krishnan Narayan Nair]]
| [[Krishnan Narayan Nair]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|1999|01|4}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|1999|01|4}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2000|11|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2000|11|30}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Satish Govind Inamdar]]
| Satish Govind Inamdar
| {{dts|format=dmy|2000|12|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2000|12|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2004|10|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2004|10|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Avinash Deodata Joshi]]
| Avinash Deodata Joshi
| {{dts|format=dmy|2004|11|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2004|11|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2005|08|21}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2005|08|21}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Fali Homi Major]]
| [[Fali Homi Major]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2005|09|5}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2005|09|5}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2007|03|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2007|03|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Pranab Kumar Barbora]]
| Pranab Kumar Barbora
| {{dts|format=dmy|2007|04|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2007|04|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2007|12|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2007|12|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Shiv Kumar Bhan]]
| Shiv Kumar Bhan
| {{dts|format=dmy|2008|01|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2008|01|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2009|12|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2009|12|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Krishan Kumar Nohwar]]
| Krishan Kumar Nohwar
| {{dts|format=dmy|2010|01|01}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2010|01|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|07|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|07|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Simhakutty Varthaman]]
| Simhakutty Varthaman
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|08|01}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|08|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|11|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|11|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Ravi Kant Sharma (air marshal)|Ravi Kant Sharma]]
| Ravi Kant Sharma
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|12|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|12|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2013|12|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2013|12|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Rakesh Kumar Jolly]]
| Rakesh Kumar Jolly
| {{dts|format=dmy|2014|01|1}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2014|01|1}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2014|12|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2014|12|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Shirish Baban Deo]]
| [[Shirish Baban Deo]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|01|01}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|01|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|08|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|08|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar]]
| [[Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|10|01}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|10|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2016|12|31}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2016|12|31}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Anil Khosla]]
| [[Anil Khosla]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2017|01|01}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2017|01|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|09|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|09|30}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Air Marshal Anil Khosla takes over as AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command|url=https://www.spsmai.com/aerospace/?id=4268&q=Air-Marshal-Anil-Khosla-takes-over-as-AOC-in-C-Eastern-Air-Command|website=www.spsmai.com|access-date=2026-02-01|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Raghunath Nambiar]]
| [[Raghunath Nambiar]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|10|01}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|10|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|02|28}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|02|28}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar AVSM VM and BAR takes over Command as Air Officer Commanding in Chief Eastern Air Command - SP's ShowNews|url=https://www.spsshownews.com/appointments/?id=104&h=Air-Marshal-Raghunath-Nambiar-AVSM-VM-and-BAR-takes-over-Command-as-Air-Officer-Commanding-in-Chief-Eastern-Air-Command|website=www.spsshownews.com|access-date=2026-02-01}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Rajiv Dayal Mathur]]
| [[Rajiv Dayal Mathur]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|03|01}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|03|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2020|09|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2020|09|30}}
|<ref name="eac-brf" />
|-
|-
| [[Amit Dev]]
| [[Amit Dev]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2020|10|01}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2020|10|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|09|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|09|30}}
|<ref>{{Cite news|title=Air Marshal Amit Dev takes over as AOC-n-C of Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/air-marshal-amit-dev-takes-over-as-aoc-n-c-of-indian-air-forces-eastern-air-command/articleshow/78428943.cms?from=mdr|work=The Economic Times|date=2020-10-01|access-date=2026-02-01|issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Dilip Kumar Patnaik]]
| [[Dilip Kumar Patnaik]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|10|03}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|10|03}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2022|09|30}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2022|09|30}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Air Marshal Dilip Patnaik to head Eastern Air Command|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/Oct/03/air-marshal-dilip-patnaik-tohead-eastern-air-command-2366984.html|website=The New Indian Express|date=2021-10-03|access-date=2026-02-01|language=en|first=Express News|last=Service}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar]]
| [[Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2022|10|01}}<ref name="eac-brf"/>
| {{dts|format=dmy|2022|10|01}}
| Present
| {{dts|format=dmy|2024|09|30}}
|<ref>{{Cite news|title=S P Dharkar new chief of IAF Eastern Air Command|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/s-p-dharkar-new-chief-of-iaf-eastern-air-command/articleshow/94585917.cms?from=mdr|work=The Economic Times|date=2022-10-01|access-date=2026-02-01|issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
|-
| [[Surat Singh (air marshal)|Surat Singh]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2024|10|01}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|2026|01|31}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/air-marshal-surat-singh-assumes-command-of-eastern-air-command-in-shillong-1100636-2024-10-01|title=Air Marshal Surat Singh assumes command of Eastern Air Command in Shillong|work=India Today|date=2024-10-01}}</ref>
|-
| [[Inderpal Singh Walia]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2026|02|01}}
| ''Incumbent''
|<ref name=":0" />
|}
|}


Line 317: Line 367:
*[[Avro 748]]
*[[Avro 748]]
*[[An-32]]
*[[An-32]]
* [[BAE Systems Hawk|BAE Hawk]]
* [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules]]
* [[Dassault Rafale]]


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 18:00, 1 February 2026


Eastern Air Command
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Emblem of the Eastern Air Command
FoundedMay 27, 1958
Country India
Branch Indian Air Force
TypeOperational Air Command
RoleAir Defence, OCA, Offensive Ground Support, Civilian Relief.
HeadquartersShillong
Motto(s)Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.
Engagements1962 Sino-Indian War, East Pakistan Operations 1971, Operation Meghdoot, Orissa Super-Cyclone Relief, 1999, Operation All Clear (MEDEVAC and support)
Commanders
Air Officer Commanding-in-ChiefAir Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia, Template:Post nominals

The Eastern Air Command is one of the five operational commands of the Indian Air Force. Currently headquartered in Shillong in Meghalaya. It was initially raised as No. 1 Operational Group on 27 May 1958 at Ranikutir, Kolkata as a part of the Government's increasing emphasis on defence of the eastern borders. The Operational Group was upgraded as Command on 1 December 1959 with headquarters at Fort William, Kolkata and re raises as a full fledged command at Shillong.

The present Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief is Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

It was initially raised as No. 1 Operational Group on 27 May 1958 at Ranikutir, Kolkata as a part of the Government's increasing emphasis on defence of the eastern borders. The Operational Group was upgraded as Command on 1 December 1959 with headquarters at Fort William, Kolkata and Air Vice Marshal KL Sondhi as the first AOC-in-C of the Eastern Command. After the 1962 Indo-Chinese War, The decision was made to raise a full-fledged command at Shillong. The area of responsibility of the command now covers 11 states, and is bound by the international boundaries of Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh incorporating 6300 km of common border. Eastern Air Command now has permanent airbases at Chabua, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Barrackpore, Hasimara, Jorhat, Kalaikunda and Tezpur with forward airbases at Agartala, Kolkata, Panagarh and Shillong. Eastern Air Command historically consisted of Air Defence squadrons consisting of the MiG-21 and Ground attack squadrons consisting of the MiG-27, though today the command relies on SU-30MKIs and Dassault Rafales. It holds the motto "Samareshu Parakramaha" (Lit: Valour in battle).

Activities and responsibilities[edit | edit source]

The Eastern Air Command has a specific mandate both during peace and war. In war situations, the command is tasked to conduct counter air operations and provides offensive air support to Army and Para-Military Forces. In peace, the command swings into action whenever there is a natural calamity. It was extensively involved in relief operations in the aftermath of the supercyclone in Orissa and has provided relief supplies during floods in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The command has three broad spheres of activity - operations, maintenance and administration. The fighter squadrons under the Eastern Air Command are equipped with MiG variants, and pilots are under continuous training for operational flying.

At Tezpur, located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra in Upper Assam, newly commissioned ab-initio fighter pilots undergo fighter pilot training and on successful completion get inducted into various fighter squadrons in IAF. Majority of the fighter fleet of Eastern Air Command consisted of MiG-21 and the MiG-27 (Bahadur), before their retirement and replacement by SU-30MKIs and Dassault Rafales.

The transport aircraft and helicopter of the Eastern Air Command are critical in the North-East India. The topography in the hill regions restrict the construction of a standard runway. Tribal settlements in places like Menchuha, Vijaynagar and Tuting in remote and inaccessible areas of Arunachal Pradesh totally depend on the aerial supply by the Air Force. They also depend on these aircraft to airlift their sick and ailing. The district headquarters at Anini, a conglomeration of about ten tribal settlements with a population of a couple of thousand in Arunachal Pradesh is the only one of its kind in the world which is totally air-maintained.

Pilots operate from the advance landing grounds (ALG) with only one third of the length of a regular runway, having unique and uni-directional approach and take off requirements. This coupled with the vagaries of weather expects superior skills from the pilots and their navigators. Both man and machine are stretched to the limits of their capabilities. Helicopter operations also form a critical part of the responsibilities of the Easter Air Command. For the pilots who negotiate this remote and inaccessible terrain, the experience gained over the last five decades has been well assimilated. The contribution of Eastern Air Command in bringing relief and in aiding civilian population in times of calamity and strife is an unsung saga of commitment, daring and dedication.

War operations[edit | edit source]

The Eastern Air Command was a major participant in 1962 Sino-Indian War and the Indo-Pak war of 1971. During the 1962 war, Eastern Air Command was tasked with mounting transport support missions, a task admirably performed by its Dakota and Caribou aircraft. It also mounted reconnaissance and casualty evacuation sorties using the Bell and Sikorsky helicopters it operated at the time.

During the 1971 war, Eastern Air Command was tasked with offensive as well as supply operations. It was involved right from the first clash over Boyra to the Tangail Airdrop. It also operated Mi-4 helicopters in offensive roles behind enemy lines, operating from helicopter bases in Tripura. Kalaikunda, one of the oldest and most strategically placed airbases under Eastern Air Command, has supported fighter operations since the early post-independence years. Its historical transformation has been documented extensively.[2]

Organisation[edit | edit source]

Squadrons include (as of 2015):

Squadron Base Equipment Notes
No. 43 Squadron IAF Jorhat Air Force Station AN-32 No. 10 Wing
No. 129 Helicopter Unit, IAF Jorhat Air Force Station Mi-17 No. 10 Wing
No. 2 Squadron IAF Tezpur Air Force Station Su-30 MKI No. 11 Wing
No. 106 Squadron IAF Tezpur Air Force Station Su-30 MKI No. 11 Wing
No. 115 Helicopter Unit, IAF Tezpur Air Force Station HAL Dhruv No. 11 Wing
No. 101 Squadron IAF Hasimara Air Force Station Dassault Rafale No. 16 Wing
No. 102 Squadron IAF Chabua Air Force Station Su-30 MKI No.14 Wing
Helicopter Unit Chabua Air Force Station Mi-8 No. 14 Wing
Helicopter Unit Chabua Air Force Station Mi-17 No. 14 Wing
No. 59 Squadron IAF Mountain Shadow Air Force Station Avro 748M No. 19 Wing
No. 118 Helicopter Unit, IAF Mountain Shadow Air Force Station Mi-8 No. 19 Wing
No. 142 SSS Flight, IAF Bagdogra Air Force Station HAL Chetak No. 20 Wing
No. 110 Helicopter Unit, IAF Kumbhirgram Air Force Station Mi-8 No. 22 Wing
No. 127 Helicopter Unit, IAF Mohanbari Air Force Station Mi-17 No. 42 Wing
No. 128 Helicopter Unit, IAF Mohanbari Air Force Station Mi-17 No. 42 Wing
No. 87 Squadron IAF Air Force Station Arjan Singh C-130J No. 31 Wing

Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief[edit | edit source]

List of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command
Rank Name Assumed office Left office Reference
Air Vice Marshal Kundan Lal Sondhi 7 December 1959 28 December 1961 [3]
Kanwar Jaswant Singh 3 March 1962 1 January 1963 [3]
Shivdev Singh 14 January 1963 9 June 1963 [3]
Ramaswamy Rajaram 10 June 1963 4 August 1963 [3]
Minoo Merwan Engineer 5 August 1963 30 September 1964 [3]
Yeshwant Vinayak Malse 1 October 1964 30 September 1966 [3]
Ranjan Dutt 28 October 1966 31 March 1968 [3]
Air Marshal Hirendra Nath Chatterjee 1 April 1968 23 March 1971 [3]
Hari Chand Dewan 24 March 1971 31 March 1973 [3]
Maurice Barker 1 April 1973 21 April 1976 [3]
Lal Singh Grewal 24 April 1976 12 August 1978 [3]
Lakshman Madhav Katre 4 September 1978 2 January 1981 [3]
Malcolm Shirley Dundas Wollen 3 January 1981 26 February 1983 [3]
Douglas George King-Lee 1 March 1983 30 November 1983 [3]
Minoo Jehangir Dotiwalla 1 December 1983 31 October 1984 [3]
Kapil Dev Chadha 5 November 1984 31 December 1987 [3]
Man Mohan Sinha 8 February 1988 31 January 1991 [3]
Rajendra Kumar Dhawan 11 February 1991 5 October 1991 [3]
Brijesh Dhar Jayal 7 October 1991 30 March 1992 [3]
Dushyant Singh 1 May 1992 31 January 1995 [3]
Janak Kapur 1 February 1995 31 March 1996 [3]
Prithvi Singh Brar 1 April 1996 3 January 1999 [3]
Krishnan Narayan Nair 4 January 1999 30 November 2000 [3]
Satish Govind Inamdar 1 December 2000 31 October 2004 [3]
Avinash Deodata Joshi 1 November 2004 21 August 2005 [3]
Fali Homi Major 5 September 2005 31 March 2007 [3]
Pranab Kumar Barbora 1 April 2007 31 December 2007 [3]
Shiv Kumar Bhan 1 January 2008 31 December 2009 [3]
Krishan Kumar Nohwar 1 January 2010 31 July 2011 [3]
Simhakutty Varthaman 1 August 2011 31 November 2012 [3]
Ravi Kant Sharma 1 December 2012 31 December 2013 [3]
Rakesh Kumar Jolly 1 January 2014 31 December 2014 [3]
Shirish Baban Deo 1 January 2015 31 August 2015 [3]
Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar 1 October 2015 31 December 2016 [3]
Anil Khosla 1 January 2017 30 September 2018 [4]
Raghunath Nambiar 1 October 2018 28 February 2019 [5]
Rajiv Dayal Mathur 1 March 2019 30 September 2020 [3]
Amit Dev 1 October 2020 30 September 2021 [6]
Dilip Kumar Patnaik 3 October 2021 30 September 2022 [7]
Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar 1 October 2022 30 September 2024 [8]
Surat Singh 1 October 2024 31 January 2026 [9]
Inderpal Singh Walia 1 February 2026 Incumbent [1]

Aircraft[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Service, Express News (2026-02-01). "Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia assumes charge as AOC in C of Eastern Air Command". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  2. ↑ Gupta, Anchit (22 November 2023). "Evolution of Kalaikunda Airbase". IAFHistory. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 "List of Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Air Command". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  4. ↑ "Air Marshal Anil Khosla takes over as AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command". www.spsmai.com. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  5. ↑ "Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar AVSM VM and BAR takes over Command as Air Officer Commanding in Chief Eastern Air Command - SP's ShowNews". www.spsshownews.com. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  6. ↑ "Air Marshal Amit Dev takes over as AOC-n-C of Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command". The Economic Times. 2020-10-01. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  7. ↑ Service, Express News (2021-10-03). "Air Marshal Dilip Patnaik to head Eastern Air Command". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  8. ↑ "S P Dharkar new chief of IAF Eastern Air Command". The Economic Times. 2022-10-01. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  9. ↑ "Air Marshal Surat Singh assumes command of Eastern Air Command in Shillong". India Today. 2024-10-01.
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