IAF's Western Command chief visits Udhampur air base

Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command Air Marshal S S Soman visited the Udhampur Air Force station today and reviewed peacetime operations being conducted in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Air Marshal was accompanied by his wife Rashmi Soman, who is the president of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional) Western Air Command, a Defence spokesman said.
He was received by Group Captain Devendra P Hirani, Station Commander, and his wife Madhu Hirani, president of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Local).
Soman's visit was part of his familiarisation tour of the units under Western Air Command. He reviewed the peacetime operations being conducted in Jammu and Kashmir and was also briefed on various operational aspects, the spokesman said.

The Headquarters, Air Officer Commanding (HQ AOC), was formed on June 12, 1962 at Srinagar. Later, on January 13, 1964, it was moved to Udhampur.
The headquarters has been involved in planning and executing all joint Army and Air operations and ensuring that the air logistics channel to the remotest posts in the hostile terrain remains functional.
In addition, it is involved in relief and casualty evacuation, the spokesman said.
The headquarters is presently commanded by Air Vice Marshal Anil Khosla.