Eastern Air Command (India)

Eastern Air Command (India)
Unit name	Eastern Air Command
Native name	ईस्टर्न एयर कमांड
Caption	Insignia of Eastern Air Command
Start date	27 October 1958
Country	India
Branch	Indian Air Force
Type	Command
Role	Air operations in Eastern Sector
Garrison	Shillong
Notable commanders	Air Chief Marshal Idris Hasan Latif, Air Marshal K. K. Majumdar

Eastern Air Command (India) is a principal operational formation of the Indian Air Force responsible for air operations over the eastern and northeastern sectors of the India. Headquartered at Shillong, the command integrates combat, transport, reconnaissance and helicopter assets to support strategic objectives related to borders with China, the Myanmar, and Bangladesh. It operates in coordination with the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and civil authorities during peacetime contingencies and wartime operations.

History

The command was raised on 27 October 1958 at Calcutta as part of a post‑independence reorganisation of the Indian Air Force. Early decades saw Eastern Air Command involved in responses to the Sino-Indian War, supporting Operation Meghdoot type logistics and frontier airlifts, and later in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 where coordination with formations such as Eastern Command (Army) and units from the Indian Navy proved decisive. During the 1980s and 1990s the command modernised alongside acquisitions from manufacturers like Hawker Siddeley, Lockheed Martin, and Sukhoi. In the 21st century, Eastern Air Command played roles in humanitarian assistance during the Cyclone Phailin relief, cross‑border counterinsurgency support in the Northeast, and strategic posture adjustments following incidents such as the 2017 Doklam standoff.

Organisation and Structure

Eastern Air Command is organised into operational groups, wings, and squadrons under an Air Officer Commanding‑in‑Chief (AOC‑in‑C) posted at Shillong. The command structure includes tactical fighter squadrons, transport units, helicopter units, and reconnaissance elements drawn from the Maintenance Command and the Training Command when required. Liaison and joint operations are coordinated with the Armed Forces Special Operations Division, Integrated Defence Staff, and regional headquarters like Central Air Command and South Western Air Command. Support formations include logistics depots from the Controllerate of Quality Assurance and medical units from the Armed Forces Medical Services.

Role and Operations

The command’s primary roles encompass air defence, offensive counter air, close air support, airborne surveillance, and strategic airlift for forces in the Northeast. It provides air interdiction in concert with formations such as Strategic Forces Command for deterrence missions and contributes to internal security operations alongside the Assam Rifles and Border Security Force. During peacetime, Eastern Air Command conducts disaster relief missions for events like Cyclone Amphan and engages in aerial reconnaissance over disputed sectors involving Line of Actual Control. It also supports bilateral exercises with nations such as United States, Russia, and France to enhance interoperability.

Airbases and Units

Key airbases under Eastern Air Command include Tezpur Air Force Station, Jorhat Air Force Station, Bagdogra Air Force Station, Kalaikunda Air Force Station, Agartala AFS, Meghalaya (Shillong) AFS, and forward bases in Itanagar and Kolkata. Squadrons hosted have included fighter units operating from bases like Tezpur and Kalaikunda, transport squadrons at Agartala and Bagdogra, and helicopter units at Jorhat and Shillong. The command also operates specialized units for electronic warfare and airborne early warning drawn from formations such as the No. 50 Squadron IAF and reconnaissance squadrons equipped for operations along the India–China border.

Aircraft and Equipment

Eastern Air Command fields a mix of combat and support aircraft sourced from indigenous and international manufacturers. Fighters historically included types from MiG-21, MiG-27, and more recently Sukhoi Su-30MKI elements in the eastern theatre; transport assets include Ilyushin Il-76, C-130J Super Hercules, and the indigenous HAL Dornier 228 and An-32 series. Rotary assets comprise platforms like the HAL Dhruv, Mil Mi-17, and attack helicopters tied to models such as the Mi-24. Force multipliers in the command include airborne warning and control systems like DRDO AEW&CS prototypes and aerial reconnaissance pods procured from suppliers including Israel Aerospace Industries.

Commanders

The command has been led by a succession of senior officers from the Indian Air Force Academy alumni and decorated aviators. Notable commanders have included officers who later served as Chief of the Air Staff, such as Air Chief Marshal Idris Hasan Latif and Air Marshal K. K. Majumdar. Commanders typically rotate between operational commands like Western Air Command and staff appointments at Air HQ at New Delhi.

Notable Deployments and Exercises

Eastern Air Command has conducted major exercises including bilateral and multilateral drills: joint exercises with United States Air Force elements, interoperability trials with Russian Aerospace Forces during exchanges, and tactical drills with Bangladesh Air Force. It played a critical role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War air operations and in humanitarian deployments for disasters such as Cyclone Aila and Sundarbans flood relief. Recent large‑scale exercises include participation in Exercise Cope India, Exercise Vayu Shakti corollaries in the eastern sector, and readiness operations during standoffs like Doklam and transnational security events.

Category:Commands of the Indian Air Force Category:Military units and formations established in 1958