Change of guard at Airmen Training School in Belagavi

Air Commodore Arun Bhaskar Gupta became the first Air Officer Commanding to head the Airmen Training School of the Indian Air Force in Belagavi after its leadership position was upgraded. Commodore Gupta took charge on Tuesday from station commander Group Captain S.K Sharma.

The AOC addressed officers, Airmen, Defence Security Corps personnel, Non-Combatants and some civilians of the station and asked them to complete training with sincerity and dedication. This will enhance the readiness and fighting capabilities of the IAF, he said.

After passing out of the National Defence Academy, Commodore Gupta was commissioned into the Flying Branch of IAF in 1985. He has a Post Graduate in Defence Studies from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Madras University.

He has undergone Higher Air Command Course from College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad. He has more than 6,800 hours of flying experience on HJT-16 (Kiran), HS 748 (AVRO), Microlights (‘X’ Air & Zen Air).

In 31 years of service, he has served as commander of newly raised Prithvi Squadron, and group commander of NCC group at Nagpur. He has been AOC, Air Force Component at Port Blair, and AOC ARTRAC, Shimla

Commodore Gupta’s wife Geetali Gupta took over as president of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Local), Airmen Training School, Belagavi. She has headed several air force schools in the past.