Air Marshal C Harikumar AVSM VM VSM took over as AOC-in-C, Western Air Command (WAC), today. The Air Marshal was accorded a ceremonial guard of honor on his arrival at HQ WAC.

Air Marshal Harikumar was commissioned in the IAF in the year 1979. A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader, he has over 3300 hours of flying. He has done instructional tenures at Fighter Training Wing (FTW), Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and College of Air Warfare (CAW). He is a graduate of Defense Service Staff College (DSSC) and National Defense College (NDC). He has commanded a Mig-21 Sqn, TACDE and a front line Fighter Base. His staff appointments include Ops-1A, Air-I at HQ WAC and Deputy Director Air Staff Inspection, Director Operations (Joint Planning) and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Offensive) at Air HQ and Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at HQ South Western Air Command (SWAC).

The Air Marshal was AOC-in-C HQ Eastern Air Command (EAC) prior to his present appointment as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Air Command.

He was awarded CAS commendation in Oct 1997, Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 2005, Vayu Sena Medal in Jan 2011 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 2016.

He is married to Devika and they have two sons. He is an avid reader and enjoys travelling.

Air Marshal Harikumar replaces Air Marshal SB Deo, who has moved to Air HQ as the Vice Chief of Air Staff.