IANS

New Delhi, Jan 1: Air Marshal N.A.K. Browne Saturday took over as the new vice chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), succeeding Air Marshal P.K. Barbora, who retired a day earlier.

Browne, who has varied operational experience of flying fighter jets that include the Hunter, all variants of MiG-21, Jaguar and SU-30K, was heading the Delhi-based Western Air Command -- the largest and the most vital operational command of the IAF -- before joining the new office at the Air Headquarters here.

He is credited for the military aviation infrastructure development in India's northern region, induction and speedy operationalisation of new equipment, aviation and maintenance safety and the welfare of the air warriors.

An IAF spokesperson said the first ever landing of a fixed wing aircraft at Nyoma's advance landing ground (ALG) in Ladakh in 2009 was made possible because of his "command and personal supervision".

"Landing of AN-32 aircraft took place at Nyoma ALG Sep 18, 2009. This significant landing of a fixed wing aircraft at a height of 13,300 ft marked the successful culmination of joint effort by the IAF and the Indian Army to operate in the inhospitable terrain of Leh-Ladakh in support of the army as also to provide the IAF with alternate deployment options in the Northern Sector," the spokesperson said.

"The development of Nyoma ALG would also ensure that air movements in the area continue when road traffic gets affected during winters besides promoting tourism of the general area."

Browne also oversaw the massive relief efforts in Ladakh, devastated by flashfloods triggered by a cloudburst in August 2010.

The IAF conducted close to 300 sorties, airlifting 550 tonnes of relief material and equipment and flying approximately 400 passengers which also included about 120 foreign tourists and Indians stranded in the flood affected region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Commissioned into the fighter stream of IAF June 24, 1972, Browne, a fighter combat leader, is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy.

He has also served as an instructor at the Tactics and Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington. He trained with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the United Kingdom on Jaguar aircraft and commanded a Jaguar squadron subsequently.

A graduate of Air Command and Staff College, US, the vice chief has held many appointments that include joint director at Air War Strategy Cell at Air Headquarters, chief operations officer and Air Officer Commanding of an SU-30 base, Air-I at Western Air Command and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters.

He was also responsible for establishing the Indian Defence Wing in Israel in April 1997 where he served as the Defence Attache till July 2000. From March 2007 to May 31, 2009 he functioned as the deputy chief of air staff at Air Headquarters, responsible for IAF's major modernization programmes before taking over as head of the Western air command.

He is a recipient of Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vayu Sena Medal (VM).

The Western command will now be headed by Air Marshal D.C. Kumaria