Odisha-born Air Force Officer appointed new Eastern Air Commander

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Oct 2, 2021 at 4:33 PM Updated On : Oct 2, 2021 at 4:50 PM

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Air Marshal Dilip Kumar Patnaik has been appointed as the new Eastern Air Commander in Shillong.

The Odisha-born Air Force Officer is presently the Senior Air Staff Officer in Central Air Command.

Odisha records highest inflation in country; BJP hits out at BJD for price rise

Congress announces names of 16 MLA, 3 MP candidates in Odisha

Patnaik was posted as a Fighter Squadron in March 1998. As a Sqn Ldr, Patnaik undertook a live strike mission on the biggest enemy camp in Batalik Sector on Jun 16, 1999.

Patnaik, on the night of June 27-28 1999 at 0230hr, carried out the first ever night Laser Guided Bomb strike on Tiger Hill. He launched the live strike without regard to personal safety and scored a direct hit as reported by the Army, paving the way for ground forces to capture Tiger Hill.

During ‘Op Rakshak’ Sqn Ldr Patnaik flew 27 operational missions, which included nine live bombing sorties in the Kargil sector. He displayed immense devotion, involvement and professionalism of the highest order during planning and execution of missions under hostile conditions.

He is a recipient of ‘Vayu Sena Medal’ for his courage and indomitable spirit.

Also, the Central appointed government Air Marshal Vikram Singh as the new chief of Indian Air Force’s South Western Air Command in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.