Indian Air Force: Air Marshal Vibhas Pande VSM has taken over as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance of Indian Air Force on Wednesday. A qualified aeronautical engineer (mechanical), he was commissioned in the force in August 1984. Air Marshal Vibhas Pande played a crucial role in pushing the indigenisation drive at the Indian Force that has historically relied upon imported fighters and trainers.
He started his career as Engineering Officer in IAF with fighter aircraft and later also gained experience in maintenance operations on transport aircraft and helicopters. He has flown nearly 1200 hours on helicopters as Flight Engineer and has also been Air Force Examiner for Rotary Wing aircraft.
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Air Marshal Vibhas Pande has held the appointments of Senior Production Engineer at 11 Base Repair Depot, Commanding Officer of Air Armament Inspection Wing, Khamaria, Directing Staff at College of Air Warfare and Command Engineering Officer at HQ WAC.
He has also spearheaded indigenisation drive in IAF as CO of 1 CIMD. Some of the key appointments held by him include command of a premier Base Repair Depot, Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at HQ EAC and ACAS Eng (T&H) at Air HQ.
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Prior to assuming his present appointment, he was holding the appointment of Director General (Aircraft).
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