BANGALORE: The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal FH Major who will be retiring at the end of this month visited the Headquarters Training Command, IAF on Friday.
Air Chief Marshal FH Major who demits office on the May 31 has decided to settle in Bangalore after his retirement. He will be the first Chief of the Air Staff to settle in Bangalore.
During the visit, he was presented a Ceremonial Guard of Honour. In a career spaning over 41 years, Air Chief Marshal FH Major participated actively in many Operation missions including operations conducted in `Siachen Glacier’, the world’s highest battle-field.
While commanding a helicopter Unit, he undertook a daring rescue mission in October 1992 in Timber Trail, Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh where he along with his crew winched eleven stranded tourists out from a cable car, hanging between two high mountains, by hovering precariously close to the set of cables that ran above it. For this act of gallantry, he was awarded the `Shaurya Chakra’.
During his tenure as CAS, the Air Chief has achieved remarkable landmarks. Among them are the long awaited induction of the Hawk trainer at Bidar and the complete transformation of the training philosophy of the IAF.
The major force multiplier, the AWACS, which is likely to shift the regional balance of power in India’s favour is being inducted in the IAF this month.
He has also overseen numerous initiatives to improve the quality of life of all personnel.
Directly related to the work sphere were the early implementation of the 6th CPC, finalisation of the AVSC-II recommendations for Officers and the new promotion policy for JWOs and above. Professionally too he has ensured that the IAF enhanced its global presence and visibility through joint exercises with major Air Forces of the world.
Prominent amongst these was exercise `Red Flag’ in US involving SU-30, IL-78 Refueller Aircraft & Garud Commandos.