Panagarh Airbase is Renamed After Former IAF Chief Arjan Singh

Panagarh Air Force Base of Indian Air Force in West Bengal has renamed as Air Force Station Arjan Singh in honour of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh by the Union Government on the occasion of 97th birthday of Arjan Singh.

Arjan Singh
  • Air Officer Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal C. Harikumar revealed the rechristening plaque.
  • It is first time in Indian history has that military installations is renaming after individuals, particularly when they are alive.

About Arjan Singh

  • Arjan Singh was born on 15th April 1919 at Lyalpur.
  • He had completed his education at Montgomery.
  • At the tender age of 19 years he was selected to the Empire Pilot training course at RAF Cranwell.
  • During the British Rule He had served on different positions in RAF.
  • He had achieved a unique honour of leading a fly-past of over a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi on 15th August 1947.
  • From August 1964 to 69 he had served as the IAF chief.
  • In 1966 he was the first Indian Air Chief to be raised up to the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
  • In the 1965 he had led the Indian Air Force (IAF) during India-Pakistan war.
  • IAF Operation Grand Slam was launched by him, which was targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor of Pakistan.
  • In August 1969 he was retired and later was selected as Ambassador of India to Switzerland.
  • From 1989 to 1990 he had served as Lieutenant Governor of New Delhi.
  • Awards and Honours:
  • Union government given the rank of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force on him in 2002 making him the first and the only Five Star rank officer with the IAF to respect his lifelong services.
  • It is one of the crucial Air Force Base in the eastern theatre located in Burdwan district of West Bengal.
  • It was established in 1944 during the World War II.
  • It has played an important role in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
  • The airport has many wartime leftovers, with wild taxiways and a large real space ramp remaining, even though not used and in a weakening state.
  • Padma Vibhushan for his perceptive leadership of the Air Force throughout the India-Pakistan war.

Panagarh Air Force Base:

  • It is one of the crucial Air Force Base in the eastern theatre located in Burdwan district of West Bengal.
  • It was established in 1944 during the World War II.
  • It has played an important role in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
  • The airport has many wartime leftovers, with wild taxiways and a large real space ramp remaining, even though not used and in a weakening state.

Examrace Team at Aug 20, 2021