Shillong, Jan 2 (IANS): Air Marshal R.K. Jolly has taken over as the chief of the IAF's Eastern Air Command here, an officer said Thursday.

Jolly took over Wednesday from Air Marshal Ravi Kant Sharma, who is the new vice chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Inducted as a fighter pilot in 1975, Jolly has flown various aircraft, including the Hunter, Marut and all variants of MiG-21, IAF spokesman Group Captain Amit Mahajan said.

With over 3,800 flying hours to his credit, Mahajan said Jolly is a qualified flying instructor and held many important field and staff appointments. he has commanded a premier forward fighter base and has been the Senior Air Staff Officer at the South Western Air Command and Southern Air Command. He headed the latter before his present appointment.

Jolly, was the air attache at the Indian embassy in Washington from 2005 to 2008, is a recipient of the Vayu Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal.