Air Marshal P Kanakaraj took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, IAF, here today.
He succeeds Air Marshal Jagdish Chandra who retired yesterday, a defence release said.
Kanakaraj was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) branch of the Indian Air Force on July 25, 1977.
He is an Engineering Graduate (Mechanical) from Regional Engineering College, Trichy with post graduation in Propulsion from IIT Madras. Prior to his present assignment, he was the Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance at Air HQ.
Kanakaraj is also a recipient of 'Ati Vishisht Seva Medal' and 'Vishisht Seva Medal'.
