Pankaj Mohan Sinha

{{Infobox Officeholder

| honorific_prefix = Air Marshal

| name = Pankaj Mohan Sinha

| honorific_suffix = PVSM, AVSM, VSM

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| image = Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha.jpg

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| allegiance = {{Country|India}}

| branch = {{Air force|India}}

| serviceyears = 14 June 1985 - 31 December 2024

| rank = 24px Air Marshal

| military_blank1 = Service number

| military_data1 = 17842{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/17842|title=Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=2023-05-15}}

| unit = No.2 Squadron

| commands = Western Air Command

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| awards = Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal

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Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha, PVSM, AVSM, VSM is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force. He served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Western Air Command. He took over the office on 1 January 2023, succeeding of Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran and superannuated on 31 December 2024.{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1887858|title=AIR MARSHAL PANKAJ MOHAN SINHA ASSUMES COMMAND OF IAF'S WESTERN AIR COMMAND|publisher=PIB|date=2023-01-01}}

Early life and education

Pankaj Mohan Sinha is a graduate of National Defence Academy. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.{{cite web|url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/air-marshal-pankaj-mohan-sinha-assumes-command-of-iafswestern-command/|title=AIR MARSHAL PANKAJ MOHAN SINHA ASSUMES COMMAND OF IAF'S WESTERN AIR COMMAND|publisher=Indian Air Force|date=2023-01-01}}

Career

Pankaj Mohan Sinha was commissioned as the fighter pilot in June 1985 in the Indian Air Force. In a career spanning over 37 years, he has as more than 4,500 hours of flying experience across various aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/air-marshal-pankaj-m-sinha-takes-over-as-chief-of-iafs-western-command/articleshow/96666541.cms|title= Air Marshal Pankaj M Sinha takes over as chief of IAF's Western Command|publisher=Times of India|date=2023-01-01}}

He is a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Striker Leader, Instrument Rating Instructor & Examiner. He served as the Commanding Officer of No.2 Squadronin the Eastern Sector. He was also the Training Coordination Officer at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, UK during the induction of the Hawk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) into the Indian Air Force.{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/air-marshal-pankaj-m-sinha-takes-over-as-chief-of-iafs-western-command-1177105.html|title=Air Marshal Pankaj M Sinha takes over as Chief of IAF's Western Command|publisher=Deccan Herald|date=2023-01-01}}

As Air Commodore, he served as the Air Assistant to Chief of Air Staff. Later, served as the Air Officer Commanding of the 40 Wing in Gwalior under Central Air Command.

As Air Vice Marshal, he served as the Air Officer Commanding of the Composite Battle Response and Analysis Group (CoBRA-G) a key unit of Indian Air Force deals with the doctrine development, force employment and strategy. After this stint, he served as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Ops Offensive and then oversaw the operations of Western sector as Air Officer Commanding of the Jammu & Kashmir region.{{cite web|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/kashmir/aoc-jk-meets-governor|title=AOC J&K meets Governor|publisher=Greater Kashmir|date=2019-05-19}}

After his promotion to Air Marshal in July 2021, he served as the Director General, Air (Operations) till 31 December 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessworld.in/article/IAF-Gets-A-Key-New-Commander/02-01-2023-460023/|title=IAF Gets A Key New Commander|publisher=Business World|date=2023-01-01}}

He took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command on 1 January 2023, succeeding of Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran on his superannuation.

Honours and decorations

During his career, Pankaj Mohan Sinha has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014 and Vishisht Seva Medal in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1893742|title= President approves 412 Gallantry awards and other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day|publisher=PIB|date=2023-01-25}}{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102732|title= 368 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced |publisher=PIB|date=2014-01-25}}{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=24335|title= Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations|publisher=PIB|date=2007-01-25}}

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|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

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style="text-align:center;"|Param Vishisht Seva Medal

|style="text-align:center;"|Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

|style="text-align:center;"|Vishisht Seva Medal