NE NEWS BUREAU
CHENNAI, JAN 1:
Air Marshal Seethepalli Shrinivas on Wednesday assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Training Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF), headquartered in Bengaluru, marking a significant leadership transition at the helm of the service’s training and capacity-building arm.
Immediately after taking over his new responsibilities on WednesdayThursday, the Air Marshal paid homage to the nation’s fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the Training Command War Memorial, reaffirming the Indian Air Force’s enduring respect for sacrifice and service.
An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Shrinivas was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on June 13, 1987. A ‘Category A’ Qualified Flying Instructor, he brings with him over 4,200 hours of flying experience across a wide spectrum of aircraft, including MiG-21, Iskra, Kiran, PC-7 Mk II, HPT-32 and microlight aircraft. He is also qualified as a second pilot on Chetak and Cheetah helicopters and has been categorised as an Operations Officer on the Pechora missile system.
During a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, Air Marshal Shrinivas has held several key command and staff appointments. His leadership roles include serving as Commandant of the Air Force Academy, Air Officer Commanding of a frontline fighter base on the Western border, and head of a premier flying training base. He has also served as AOC, Advance Headquarters Western Air Command (Jaipur), Commanding Officer of the renowned Flying Instructors’ School, Commandant of the Institute of Aerospace Safety, and Commanding Officer of the Basic Flying Training School.
His staff tenures include assignments as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel Officers), Chief Instructor (Flying) at the Air Force Academy, operations staff officer at Headquarters Central Air Command, and Directing Staff at the College of Air Warfare. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters South Western Air Command.
A highly accomplished officer-scholar, Air Marshal Shrinivas is a graduate of the National Defence College, College of Defence Management and Defence Services Staff College. His academic credentials include a Master of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies, a Master of Management Studies, and a Master of Science in Defence and Strategic Studies.
In recognition of his exemplary and meritorious service to the nation, Air Marshal Seethepalli Shrinivas was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2017 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 by the Hon’ble President of India.
