By IANS
New Delhi : Air Vice Marshal L.K. Malhotra and Air Vice Marshal Paramjit Singh Bhangu have assumed office as assistant chiefs of the Indian Air Force (IAF), it was announced Tuesday.
Malhotra will be the assistant chief (personnel) and will be responsible for officers, while Bhangu will perform a similar role for airmen and civilians, a defence ministry statement said.
Malhotra was commissioned in the fighter stream in 1973 and has flown some 4,000 hours on a variety of aircraft.
A graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Malhotra has also undergone the Higher Command Course at the College of Combat, Mhow.
A qualified flying instructor and an instrument rating instructor/examiner, Malhotra has held several important field and staff appointments that include commanding officer of a fighter squadron, chief operations officer of a fighter base in an active command, and as directing staff at the College of Air Warfare.
Among his other appointments have been command of a tactical unit in the Eastern Air Command, and command of a premier fighter base in the Western Air Command.
A recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for his exemplary leadership, dedication and distinguished service, Malhotra has also received the IAF chief's commendation.
Bhangu graduated from the NDA and was commissioned as fighter pilot in 1972. A DSSC alumnus, he has 4,500 hrs of flying on fighter and trainer aircraft and served in a number of fighter combat aircraft units.
Bhangu has also served as commanding officer of the prestigious Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment at Gwalior. Besides appointments at Air Headquarters as joint director and director of flight safety, he was air attache in the Indian embassy in Moscow for over three years.
Bhangu was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1992 and Ati Vishist Seva Medal in 1996 for exceptional devotion to duty.