Article Posted on : - May 22, 2014

MUMBAI (PTI): Air Marshal AP Garud, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Air Command (SAC) visited the Head Quarters Maritime Air Operations (HQMAO) based at Mumbai here on Thursday and reviewed maritime air operations.

Air Marshal Garud, who is on a two-day visit here, was accompanied by his wife Sulochana Garud, president of the Air Force Wives' Welfare Association of the SAC.

He reviewed the progress on various operational tasks of HQMAO and was apprised of the improved co-ordination with the Indian Navy, resulting in synergies in securing the maritime frontier of the country, a defence spokesperson said.

He was also apprised of the various air operations and exercises conducted in the recent past including the involvement of maritime elements of the Indian Air Force during Ex-TROPEX 2014.

HQMAO was previously under the control of Gandhinagar based South-Western Air Command of IAF. It was placed under Southern Air Command on April 1, 2009.

Air Marshal Garud, an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasala, and Sainik School Satara, was commissioned into the helicopter stream of the IAF on December 29, 1976.

The Air Marshal has flown in excess of 6100 hours on various helicopters and training aircraft in his career spanning over 37 years.

He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has held various command and staff appointments. He has also served as Inspector General (Air) BSF and Director General Inspection and Flight Safety at Air Headquarters.