CHANDIGARH: Air Marshal PK Barbora, Air Officer Commanding–in–Chief (AOC-in-C),  Western Air Command (WAC), Indian Air Force  will arrive in the city on Wednesday on a two-day  visit to the Air Force Station here.

During his visit the Air Marshal would be addressing the personnel of the station and will be inspecting various squadrons and flights of this station. The AOC–in–C will also interact with media personnel during his visit. Air Commodore S R K Nair, AOC, 12 Wing Air Force would make a station presentation to WAC Chief.

Air Marshal Barbora will be accompanied by Mrs Arundhati Barbora, President,  Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) -Regional. During her stay, Mrs Barbora would interact with AFWWA members besides visiting the Air Force school, Umeed- the school for special children and the family welfare centre at the station.

Air Mshl Barbora was born in Dec 1950 in Shillong and was commissioned as a fighter pilot in June 1970. He is an experienced flier and has flown over 3500 hours. He took part in 1971 war. He is a qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader. He is also a graduate of College of Combat, Moscow.

During his service carrier he has had the distinction of being part of the team during formation of the first Jaguar Squadron of the IAF and also inducting the air combat simulator in the IAF, the first of its kind in Asia.

He has held many operational assignments, such as Commanding Officer of a MIG-21 Squadron and Air Combat Simulator Unit and Chief Operations Officer of a fighter wing. He has served as Air Officer Commanding of a premier fighter station.   He has held the appointment of Air attaché at the Indian embassy in Moscow. He has also been the Assistant Chief of Integrated Defense (Perspective Plans & Force Structure) in HQ Integrated Defense Staff and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Inspection)  at Air Headquarters.

The Air Officer was promoted to the rank of Air Marshal on 07 Sep 05 and was assigned the appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at Eastern Air Command, IAF.  With effect from 02 Apr 07 the Air Marshal, who is first personality from the defence services hailing from the North East, was promoted and posted to the prestigious appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Air Command. The Air Officer assumed the command of Western Air Command on 01 January 2008.