South western air command gets new commanding-in-chief

Air Marshal AK Gogoi AVSM VSM took over as air officer commanding-in-chief, south western air command (SWAC) on Saturday.

He will be responsible for the command of a frontline fighter squadron, chief operations officer of an operational base and command of two premier airbases. 

The staff appointments include tenures as assistant chief of air staff (operations) at air HQ, air defence commander of SWAC and director general of air (Operations) at air HQ.

Air marshal Gogoi was commissioned as a fighter pilot on June 2, 1973.  An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, air marshal AK Gogoi has flown over 3,000 hours on various aircraft.  He is a qualified flying instructor, a fighter combat leader and a graduate of defence services staff college (Wellington).

On arrival at HQ SWAC, he inspected the ceremonial guard of honour. Later, he addressed all the air warriors and civilian employees of HQ SWAC.

Gogoi has attended the executive national security programme in South Africa.  He is an MPhil in defence and management studies from DAVV University, Indore.  He has been awarded 'Ati vishisht seva medal' for his distinguished and devoted service.