The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : New Air Officer in Command

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Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

New Air Officer in Command

Special Correspondent

Ashok Lal takes over from T.K.Varma at IAF, Tambaram

— Photo: A. Muralitharan

CHANGE OF GUARD: Air Commodore Ashok Lal (right), who took over as Air Officer in Command, Indian Air Force Station, Tambaram, on Monday, greeting the outgoing chief Air Commodore T.K.Varma.

TAMBARAM: Air Commodore Ashok Lal on Monday took over as Air Officer in Command of the Indian Air Force Station in Tambaram.

He succeeds Air Commodore T.K.Varma.

Air Cmde. Ashok Lal arrived at the Drill Square at 8 a.m. and along with the outgoing chief of the air base, reviewed a guard of honour presented by officers and men of other ranks.

Air Cmde. T.K.Varma, in his farewell address, thanked the officers and personnel of all other ranks for the cooperation extended to him during his tenure.

He said 10,000 flying hours were logged by pilots and trainee flying instructors at the Flying Instructors’ School at the Tambaram IAF Station. For the last few years, they had maintained an accident-free record and this was acknowledged when they received the Flight Safety Trophy for 2007–2008.

Hub of training

Tambaram had established itself as the hub of training for airmen.

The administration attached a lot of importance to improving the quality of life of officers and civilians within the IAF base.

They received the Best SMC (Station Medi Care) for 2008, Air Cmde. Varma said, adding the achievements only reflected the professionalism of Flying Instructors School and the proactive attitude of all at the IAF Station.

Later, in a brief chat with reporters Air Cmde Ashok Lal said the IAF and the Armed Forces were always prepared to face any threats from across the border.

To a question on the battle-readiness of the IAF, considering the prevailing tension across the border, the officer said he was not the person who could speak on it.

“What I have learnt is that the situation is under control,” he added.

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