Western Air Command (India)
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Western Air Command, Indian Air Force पश्चिमी वायु कमान, भारतीय वायु सेना |
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| Founded | July 22, 1949 |
| Country | India |
| Branch | Indian Air Force |
| Type | Operational Air Command |
| Role | Air Defence, OCA, Offensive Ground Support, Civilian Relief. |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Motto(s) | Sanskrit: Akasha Pasmatsoma |
| Engagements | 1962 Sino-Indian War, 1971 India-Pakistan War, Operation Meghdoot |
| Commanders | |
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief(AOC-in-C) | Air Marshal Chandrashekharan Hari Kumar |
| Notable commanders |
Air Marshal MSD Wollen Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis |
The Western Air Command (WAC) is the regional command of Indian Air Force headquartered in New Delhi. It is the largest and most important Air Command of the IAF, comprising sixteen Air Force Bases (AFBs), and is responsible for aerial defence of North India. The current Commander is Air Marshal S.S Deo, WAC.
WAC's Area of Responsibility extends from Kashmir to Rajasthan, covering the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi and some parts of Uttar Pradesh.
WAC was raised in 1947 as the No. 1 Operational Group which controlled all the flying units of Indian Air Force, including the flying training units. On July 22, 1949, the No. 1 Operational Group was re-designated as the Operational Command. In 1958, The rank of the Commanding Officer of Operational Command was upgraded from Air Commodore to Air Vice Marshal and later, to the rank of Air Marshal.
In the aftermath of the India-China War of 1962, the IAF began the process of demarcation of specific areas of responsibility, and splitting up of the flying Corps into various operational air commands. On June 10, 1963, Operational Command assumed its present name of Headquarters Western Air Command.
Due to its geographical location in the crucial North Indian region, surrounded by Pakistan to the west and China to the East, WAC has been involved in all major operations in India since independence, and has been the hub-centre of all operational activities during any operation.
The IAF Western Air Command is engaged in air logistics operations to supply troops deployed at Siachen Glacier. These operations are undertaken from the Siachen Forward Air Base, using Mi-17, HAL Dhruv and HAL Cheetah helicopters.
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