IAF gets first director general operations

Air Marshal DC Kumaria became the first ever director general operations of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Air Marshal DC Kumaria on Thursday became the first ever director general operations of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

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Kumaria, commissioned as a fighter pilot in the flying branch of the IAF on July 2, 1973, took charge in a ceremony at the Air Headquarters here, an official statement said.

Kumaria is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, in Tamil Nadu, and also a qualified weapons instructor having undergone the course in Britain and a fighter combat leader. He has also served as a directing staff at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE).

Kumaria brings with him vast experience to the office of the director general operations, said an IAF official.

"He has held many important field and staff appointments in his service career. He has been assistant advisor (Air) at the Indian high commission in Dhaka, and has served as a defence attaché at the Indian embassy in Rome," the official said.

Kumaria has also written the Air Power Doctrine of the IAF in 1994.

"He has commanded a frontline Jaguar squadron specialising in Maritime Strike Role as well as a fighter air base and has had operational experience of flying all versions of the MiG-21 and Jaguar aircraft.

"He has also functioned as the principal director of concept studies at the Air Headquarters," the official added.