New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS): Air Marshal R.K. Vashisht, a Kargil conflict hero and the senior-most aeronautical engineer of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Saturday took over as the air officer-in-charge of maintenance (AOM) at the Air Headquarters here.

An AOM is responsible for maintenance and management of all IAF aircraft, weapon systems and equipment.

A graduate in mechanical engineering from Delhi College of Engineering, Vashisht was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch of the IAF Jan 6, 1975.

An alumnus of National Defence College, Vashisht has held various field and staff appointments including command engineering officer at Shillong-based Eastern Air Command, senior maintenance staff officer at Allahabad-based Central Air Command and assistant chief of air staff (Engineering 'B').

He closely steered the setting up of maintenance facilities for Mirage-2000 fleet during its induction in the IAF.

Vashisht was formerly discharging the responsibility of Director General of Aircraft at the Air Headquarters.

He was conferred the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in January 2008 and Mention-in-Despatches (M-in-D) for his outstanding contribution during 1999 Kargil conflict.