Air Force base repair depot gets new Air Commodore

Coimbatore: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has appointed Kondengalara Aboo Ahamed Sanjeeb as the new Air Commodore for the base repair depot at Sulur Air Force Station. He took charge on Wednesday.

In a press statement on Thursday, the IAF said the base repair depot at Sulur, which was responsible for maintenance and repair of various aircraft and air-borne systems, has witnessed change of Command on Wednesday.

“Air Commodore P K Sreekumar has handed over Command of the Base Repair Depot to Air Commodore K A A Sanjeeb. A solemn handing/taking over ceremony was conducted in the presence of select guests and Air Force Station personnel on Wednesday,” it said.

The transfer follows the recent chopper crash that claimed 14 lives including that of the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, near Katteri at Coonoor in Nilgiris district.

When contacted, defence officials said it was a routine transfer and cannot link it to the chopper crash incident.

The base repair depot had seen many milestone events, including passing-out of 100th Dornier aircraft after servicing, during the tenure of Air Commodore P K Sreekumar. “The depot continues to live up to its reputation and professional excellence, contributing to the maintenance and upkeep of the air-borne assets of the IAF,” the statement said.

The new incumbent, it said, was associated with the maintenance of transport fleet of the IAF, including the frontline AWACS (airborne warning and control system) aircraft and brings in rich experience.

“His experience in ‘Atma Nirbharta’ projects from the Air Force headquarters will contribute to driving projects towards ‘self-reliance’ with the help of industries in the Coimbatore region.”