Air Marshal (retd) Pranab Kumar Barbora no more

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Air Marshal (retd) PK Barbora PVSM passed away at R&R Hospital, Delhi Cantt, in New Delhi today. He was the Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force mourned his death.

Born on December 10, 1950, in Shillong, Barbora was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on June 13, 1970.

Within the Indian Air Force Barbora was regarded as the force behind the reactivation of the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) airstrip in 2008, after over four decades of closure. He was heading the Western Air Command at that time. DBO, the highest airfield in the world, is an advanced landing ground close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, east of Siachen. He had also activated the Fuk Che Advanced Landing Ground.

Having flown over 3,500 hours, he was an accomplished pilot. He was the first well-known figure from the Northeast to have such a highly sought-after position in the armed forces. The Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal were awarded to Barbora. He was also one of the honorary aides-de-camp (ADC) to the President, the Supreme Commander of the AFI (Armed Forces of India).

He showcased his unwavering commitment and courage during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. He worked at the IAF’s flagship flying establishment, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, as a licenced flying instructor and fighter combat leader. He participated in the Indian Air Force Squadron Induction Process and was a part of the team that established the air combat simulator, the first of its kind in Asia.

Command of a MiG-21 squadron, chief operation officer of a fighter airbase, and air officer commanding a premier fighter airbase under Eastern Air Command were just a few of his many operational duties. He served as an air attaché at the Indian Embassy in Moscow and Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff in Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. Before assuming the command as an AOC-in-C for the first time, he was a senior Air Staff Officer at PAC. Later on, he was appointed AOC-in-C for WAC.

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