Air Marshal Yalla Umesh Appointed 39th AOC-in-C of IAF Maintenance Command
Air Marshal Yalla Umesh has been appointed as the 39th Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force's Maintenance Command. This significant change in leadership follows the retirement of Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, who concluded 39 years of exemplary service on November 30.
Air Marshal Umesh brings 37 years of experience to the position, having been commissioned into the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) Branch as a 'Category A' aeronautical engineer. His educational background includes a Doctorate in Management, and he is a graduate of the prestigious College of Defence Management and the National Defence College, both known for cultivating senior military leaders.
Over the course of his career, Air Marshal Umesh has held numerous pivotal engineering and command positions across various combat, transport, and specialized fleets. Notably, he has served as the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Engineering), Air Commodore Engineering (Transport), Chief Engineering Officer at a UN-operated airfield in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Air Officer Commanding of a Guided Weapon Base Repair Depot. Prior to his latest appointment, he was the Director General (Aircraft) at Air Headquarters.
He has been honored with the Vishisht Seva Medal, recognizing his efforts in maintenance innovation, fleet sustainability, and engineering reforms within the Indian Air Force.
As the new AOC-in-C, Air Marshal Umesh is anticipated to enhance the Maintenance Command's capabilities in increasing fleet availability, promoting indigenisation, and aligning with the IAF's goal of becoming a technologically advanced and self-reliant force.
