Air Vice Marshal Arijit Sen Takes Command as Principal Medical Officer of Eastern Air Command

In a significant advancement for the healthcare system of the Indian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Arijit Sen has assumed the position of Principal Medical Officer at the Eastern Air Command Headquarters in Shillong.

Air Vice Marshal Sen, who graduated from the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune, is an esteemed onco-pathologist. This specialty has become increasingly crucial in India due to the growing incidence of cancer.

Prior to this role, he held the position of Air Commodore (Standardisation) at the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, where he significantly contributed to enhancing healthcare protocols and standardization. His promotion to Air Vice Marshal highlights his leadership abilities and academic influence, particularly in his role as a postgraduate instructor.

The Eastern Air Command, overseeing a 300,000-square-kilometer area, is strategically vital, especially along India's eastern border. It has played a key role in historical and current operations, such as during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and in aerial supply missions to isolated tribal regions in Arunachal Pradesh, where challenging terrain makes airstrips impractical.

Established in 1948 following the recommendations of the BC Roy Committee, AFMC Pune has trained over 6,000 military doctors and remains a key institution of medical expertise for the armed forces. With Air Vice Marshal Sen's new appointment, it is expected that he will enhance medical readiness and healthcare within the Eastern Air Command, in line with the Indian Air Force's focus on maintaining operational preparedness.

This appointment highlights the Indian Air Force's dedication to providing robust medical support for its personnel and their families, reinforcing the effectiveness of its operations in the eastern region.