Click to play videoNew Delhi: Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major on Saturday took over as the new chief of Indian Air Force (IAF) from Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, who retired after 43 years in service.
Fali Major is the first helicopter pilot to head the Indian Air Force, which has so far been led only by fighter pilots.
Major was commissioned into the Air Force on December 31, 1967, as a helicopter pilot and during his long service spanning little over 39 years, he worked in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments.
Major has the distinction of having 7,765 hours of flying experience to his credit and commanded a helicopter unit that took part in operations in Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, and commanded a Mi-17 squadron during the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka, for which he was decorated with the Vayu Sena Medal.
Taking over the reins from Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, Major in his opening message asked the IAF to work towards transforming it into an "aerospace force".
“It is only through the employment of space based application that we can be more effective beyond our shores,” Major said.
The outgoing chief, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi once again expressed serious concern over the sharply declining fleet strength of the IAF.
"Hardware may give us the capabilities, but it is the man behind the machine that can give us the winning edge," Tyagi said.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.