Air Marshal Manikantan Evaluates Gorakhpur Station's Readiness and Opens Solar Power Facility
Air Marshal B Manikantan, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command, conducted a visit to Air Force Station Gorakhpur from November 26 to November 27, 2025. Upon his arrival, he was greeted with a ceremonial Guard of Honour, marking the beginning of a thorough two-day evaluation of the station's operational and administrative preparedness.
Throughout his visit, the AOC-in-C assessed the base's operational readiness and participated in a Jaguar aircraft sortie. This action underscored the Indian Air Force's commitment to maintaining high levels of combat preparedness and mission capability. He also conducted inspections of key operational and support infrastructure, evaluating ongoing upgrades and initiatives that align with the IAF's modernization and readiness goals.
A significant event during the visit was the inauguration of a One Megawatt Solar Power Plant. This development marks a substantial move towards boosting the station’s energy self-reliance and advancing sustainable green initiatives within the Indian Air Force.
Air Marshal Manikantan engaged with air warriors, commending their professionalism and dedication while encouraging them to maintain high levels of operational readiness. He stressed the importance of continuous training, technological adaptation, and a mission-oriented focus to address contemporary security challenges.
The visit highlighted Central Air Command’s dedication to operational excellence, infrastructure modernization, and environmental sustainability as essential elements of the IAF’s evolving capability framework.
