Air Marshal Vibhas Pande, AVSM, VSM is an officer of the Indian Air Force. He is currently serving as the 37th Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Maintenance Command. He assumed the office on 14 June 2022 succeeding Air Marshal Shashiker Choudhary.[2]
Vibhas Pande | |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | New Delhi |
| Spouse | Mrs. Ruchira Pande |
| Children | Wing Commander Adrika Pande, Lieutenant Anushka A Pande |
| Awards | Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vishisht Seva Medal |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch/service |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 20 August 1984 – Present |
| Rank |  Air Marshal |
| Commands | Maintenance Command |
| Service number | 17647 AE(M) [1] |
Early life and education edit
Vibhas Pande is an alumnus of Government Engineering College, Jabalpur and IIT Mumbai and was recipient of ERTL (W) Bombay Gold Medal for his outstanding performance during the course. He is also an alumnus of College of Air Warfare and National Defence College, New Delhi.[3]
Career edit
Vibhas Pande was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) in the Indian Air Force. In a career spanning over 37 years, he has been trained on the MiG-23 and Antono An-32 planes and well as Mil Mi-17 helicopters.
As a flight engineer he has flown the Mil Mi-8 and Mil Mi-17 helicopters and served the Air Force examiner for the rotary wing platform.[4]
As Air Commodore, he served as the Command Engineering Officer at the Western Air Command and later served as Air Officer Commanding at the 11 Base Repair Depot.
As Air Vice Marshal, he served as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (ACAS), Engineering Transport and Helicopter in New Delhi. Later, he served as the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at the Eastern Air Command.
He had been the founder Commanding Officer of Central Indigenisation and Manufacturing Depot (CIMD), Nashik.
As Air Marshal, he was appointed as the Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance on 1 January, 2020.[5]
He took over as the 37th Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command on 14 June 2022 from Air Marshal Shashiker Choudhary.[6]
Honours and decorations edit
During his career, Vibhas Pande has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021 and Vishisht Seva Medal in 2017 for his service.[7][8]
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| Ati Vishisht Seva Medal | Vishisht Seva Medal |
Personal life edit
Air Marshal Vibhas Pande is a qualified astrologer and an avid sportsman. He enjoys playing Squash and Golf. He is married to Mrs Ruchira Pande and is blessed with two daughters namely Wing Commander Adrika Pande and Lieutenant (Dr) Anushka A Pande who pursue the same fields of interest.
References edit
- ^ "Air Marshal Vibhas Pande - BRF". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ^ "Air Marshal Vibhas Pande takes over as chief of IAF Maintenance Command in Nagpur". The Hindu. 2022-06-15.
- ^ "AOC-in-C-MC". Indian Air Force. 2023-05-01. Archived from the original on 2023-05-09.
- ^ "Air Marshal Vibhas Pande Takes Over as Chief of IAF Maintenance Command in Nagpur". News18. 2022-06-15.
- ^ "Air Marshal Vibhas Pande VSM assumes charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance". PIB. 2020-01-01.
- ^ "Air Marshal Vibhas Pande takes over as chief of IAF Maintenance Command in Nagpur". The Print. 2022-06-15.
- ^ "President Shri Ram Nath Kovind approves 455 Gallantry & other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day" (Press release). PIB. 2021-01-25.
- ^ "398 Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations Announced" (Press release). PIB. 2017-01-25.