Air Marshal Amit Tiwari has taken over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Southern Air Command (SAC) here on Friday. A guard of honour was presented to Air Marshal Tiwari on taking over the command.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Air Marshal was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 1982. An experienced fighter pilot, he has flown over 3,500 hours on various types of fighter aircraft. In addition to being a Qualified Flying instructor (QFI), he is also a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College (Wellington), College of Defence Management (Secunderabad), and National Defence College (New Delhi).
In a career spanning 37 years, he has held many command and staff posts, which include Team Leader of the Surya Kiran Squadron of the IAF, Station Commander of a frontline IAF base, the Indian Air Attache in Afghanistan, Air Defence Commander and Senior Officer in-charge, Administration, at an operational command. He was Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training) at Air HQ and Commandant, Air Force Academy. Prior to his present appointment as AOC-in-C, he was Air Officer in-charge, Personnel, (AOP), at the Air Headquarters.
For his distinguished service and professionalism, he was awarded Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal.
His wife, Poonam Tiwari, took over as President of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) Regional in Thiruvananthapuram.