RETIRES AFTER 37 YEARS OF GLORIOUS SERVICE
Air Marshal Jagdish Chandra says “Good-by” to the personnel at HQ MC as he drives off home after handing over his charge as AOC-in-C of Maintenance Command at Nagpur
Nagpur News: Air Marshal Jagdish Chandra, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command proceeded on superannuation today after 37 years of distinguished service to the nation. The Air Marshal had taken over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Maintenance Command, IAF on 01 Sep 2011.
In his farewell address to the Commanders of all the Command formations, Air Marshal Chandra said, “I have been blessed to be amongst the team of performers who have with a ‘tadka’ of passion achieved excellence. I thank one and all for the excellent team work and dedication which has helped us attain our end objective of excellence. Remember that technology dominance would be the name of the game in whatever the Air Forces of the world do. So stay focused on absorbing and developing new technology for retaining the winning edge for our Air Force.”
Marshal Jagdish Chandra, AOC-in-C, HQ MC, IAF with Mrs. Sharmila Chandra and daughter Flt Lt Rutrika Chandra at his farewell banquet hosted by HQ MC, IAF Nagpur on 29 Jun 2013
He further said “As we go about doing our job have top most concern for our men whom we lead and the ecology and environment we work in. Also be safety and security conscious at all times as these would be the imperatives which should never be diluted.
Born on 02 Jun 1953 at Nagaur in Rajasthan, the Air Marshal was commissioned in the Electronics stream of Aeronautical Engineering branch in IAF on 08 Jul 1976. He is a graduate engineer in Electronics and Communication from Jodhpur University and post graduate in Computer Technology from IIT Delhi.
The Air Marshal started his career in the IAF as an Engineering Officer at one of the prime Air Defence Direction Centres which provides Air Surveillance for maximum air bases in the Western Air Command. During his tenures in Radar Communication Project Office (RCPO), he gained rich and varied experience in maintenance of various Radars and Communication systems. The Air Marshal possesses immense experience in management of aircraft fleets and has held various appointments at prominent fighter bases and has been the Chief Engineering Officer of a major fighter and helicopter training base.
Air Marshal Jagdish Chandra, AOC-in-C, HQ MC, IAF at Jeep Pulling Ceremony on his superannuation at HQ MC, IAF, Nagpur on 30 Jun 2013.
Before assuming the responsibilities as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Maintenance Command, the Air Marshal was appointed as Director General (Systems)at Air HQ, where he has steered many vital projects including this formulation of the maintenance philosophy on Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme (CPCP) for the IAF Systems. He has also held the appointments of Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at South Western Air Command and Air Officer Commanding of a Radar and Communication Repair Depot at Palam.
For his distinguished services of exceptional order, he has been conferred with “Param Vishisht Seva Medal”, “Ati Vishisht Seva Medal”, “Vishisht Seva Medal” and appointed as Honorary Air ADC to the Honorable President of India.
The Thrust areas of the Air Marshal have been self help, indigenization effort in all the depots to undertake their task, infrastructure improvements and modernization of the depots. During his command, he always emphasized on dedication and commitment to the service and undertaking tasks with long term vision. He advocated environmental preservation and ecological balance in all the depots under this Command. The Air Marshal took great pride in improvement of the air warrior clothing which was recently transferred to Maintenance Command from Air HQ.
The Air Marshal is married to Mrs. Sharmila Chandra. She has always been an active member of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) in various capacities. She has contributed significantly in improving the quality of life and morale of air warriors and their families.
The Air Marshal is blessed with two daughters, elder one is a Paediatrician and the younger one a Gynaecologist, who is a Medical Officer in the Indian Air Force.
Air Marshal Chandra & Mrs. Sharmila Chandra today were bid an emotional farewell by the Maintenance Command officers, air warriors, NCs(E) and civilians along with the families.
