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Patney takes over as IAF vice-chief

Air Marshal Vinod Patney, who was decorated for marshalling the air operations during the Kargil conflict, Tuesday took over as vice-chief of the Indian Air Force.

He took over from Air Marshal P S Brar, who retired after 40 years of service, on Monday.

On Tuesday morning, Air Marshal Patney paid homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti and was presented a ceremonial Guard of Honour on his arrival at Air Headquarters.

Commissioned in 1961 in the fighter stream, Patney is a graduate of the Royal Air Force Staff College and a founder member of the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment.

He took part in the 1965 and 1971 wars and was awarded the Vir Chakra in 1965 and Mention in Despatches in 1971.

Air Marshal Patney, who was Air Officer Commanding in Chief of Central Air Command before this promotion, was AOC-in-C of Western Air Command during the Kargil operations and was awarded the 'Sarvotam Yudh Seva Medal' for his outstanding contributions, the first man from the IAF to get the award.

In other top appointments effective today, Air Marshal V K Verma, presently Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at Central Air Command (CAC), replaced the vice-chief. Assistant Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters T M Asthana took over as SASO at CAC.

Air Marshal P K Ghosh is the new Director General of Radar and Communication Project replacing Air Marshal P N Bajaj who retired on Monday.

Air Vice Marshal D C Nigam, on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, took over as Senior Maintenance Staff Officer of Maintenance Command.

UNI

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Kargil hero is IAF vice-chief

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