Thiruvananthapuram | Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann on Wednesday assumed command as the Commanding-in-Chief of SAC.

Air Marshal Mann, AVSM, VSM, was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Southern Air Command Headquarters on the occasion.

Commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 16, 1989, Mann graduated from the Defence Services Staff College and Higher Air Command, and holds a postgraduate degree from the Royal College of Defence Studies, London (UK), a press release said.

He is a 'Pilot Attack Instructor' with over 3,000 flying hours on various aircraft, including the Apache, MiG-21, Jaguar, MiG-29, Su-30 and Rafale.

"In his illustrious service career spanning nearly four decades, the Air Marshal has commanded a fighter squadron and served as Air Officer Commanding of a premier fighter base.

"He has held important command and staff appointments, including Air Defence Commander and Senior Officer-in-Charge of Administration of a Command," the release said.

Additionally, he held the office of Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations, Offensive) and Director General (Weapon Systems) at Air Headquarters, Delhi.

Prior to taking over his present appointment, the Air Marshal was Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command, where he contributed to joint operational enhancement in multiple domains, it said.

In recognition of his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal.

Mann succeeds Air Marshal Manish Khanna, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, AVSM, VSM, who superannuated on June 30 after four decades of distinguished service to the nation.