Kartik Lokhande's blog

Eastern Air Command, which had its seeds in the developments ahead of Chinese aggression of 1962, has today grown into a very significant command of the Indian Air Force. During its journey till date, it has written and re-written chapters of glory. In 1971, during the war for liberation of Bangladesh, EAC dealt deadly blows to not only the defence infrastructure but also the morale of the Pakistani forces holding ground in the then East Pakistan. At present, it guards the eastern skies above the areas bordering mainly China, Myanmar, Bangladesh. ‘The Hitavada’ Chief Reporter Kartik Lokhande visited the EAC areas recently to get a closer look at the past and present significance of the EAC. It was 11.29 hours on December 14, 1971. A formation of four Mig-21 aircraft, equipped with gallant men and high explosive rockets, took off from Guwahati air-base. Wg Cdr Bhupendra Kumar Bishnoi, the Formation Leader, and Flt Lt Vinod Bhatia led one team and another team comprised F...

* Out of the cockpit, I am a Government servant, says Air Marshal S B Deo, a Nagpurian, who is now Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Air Command, Indian Air Force By Kartik Lokhande  He is one man who every Nagpurian should be proud of. Blessed with unassuming personality, charming smile, contemplative face, brilliant mind, and kind-hearted, he is one of the top leaders of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Meet Air Marshal Shirish Baban Deo AVSM VM VSM, a Nagpurian, who has taken over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Eastern Air Command of the IAF on the very first day of this year. Air Marshal S B Deo (Pic by Umesh Varma/Moonlight) A highly decorated officer, who has served as Director General (Operations) at Air Headquarters, Air Marshal S B Deo is a man with vision, mission, and deep attachment to his uniform. “For me, my uniform means Mission, Excellence, and Integrity. It instills in us a sense that we have got a job to do (Mission), that...