Air Marshal Jasbir Singh Mann, AVSM, VM, assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force on 01 July 2026. On the occasion, he was presented a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Headquarters of the Southern Air Command. Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 16 December 1989, the Air Officer is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and the Higher Air Command, and holds a postgraduate degree from the Royal College of Defence Studies, London (United Kingdom). A qualified Pilot Attack Instructor, he has logged over 3,000 hours of flying on a variety of aircraft including the Apache, MiG-21, Jaguar, MiG-29, Su-30 and Rafale. During a distinguished service career spanning nearly four decades, he has commanded a fighter squadron and served as the Air Officer Commanding of a major fighter base. He has held important command and staff appointments, including Air Defence Commander and Senior Officer-in-charge Administration in a Command. At Air Headquarters, he served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Offensive) and Director General (Weapon Systems). Prior to this appointment, he was the Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command. He succeeds Air Marshal Manish Khanna, UYSM, AVSM, VM, who retired on 30 June 2026 after four decades of service.
Air Marshal Jasbir Singh Mann takes over as AOC-in-C Southern Air Command
Air Marshal Jasbir Singh Mann, AVSM, VM, took over as AOC-in-C of the Indian Air Force Southern Air Command on 1 July 2026, succeeding Air Marshal Manish Khanna who retired on 30 June 2026. A fighter pilot commissioned in 1989 with over 3,000 hours of flying, he has held key command and staff appointments including SASO Western Air Command.
Key facts
- Air Marshal Jasbir Singh Mann, AVSM, VM, assumed charge as AOC-in-C of the Southern Air Command on 1 July 2026.
- He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 16 December 1989.
- A Pilot Attack Instructor, he has over 3,000 hours of flying on Apache, MiG-21, Jaguar, MiG-29, Su-30 and Rafale.
- He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and Higher Air Command, and a postgraduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies, London.
- Before this posting he was Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command.
- He succeeds Air Marshal Manish Khanna, who retired on 30 June 2026 after four decades of service.
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Which of the following officers assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force on 1 July 2026?
Air Marshal Jasbir Singh Mann, AVSM, VM, assumed charge as the AOC-in-C of the Southern Air Command on 1 July 2026, succeeding Air Marshal Manish Khanna, who retired on 30 June 2026.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Frequently asked questions
Who assumed charge as AOC-in-C of the Southern Air Command on 1 July 2026?
Air Marshal Jasbir Singh Mann, AVSM, VM, assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Air Command on 1 July 2026.
Whom did Air Marshal Jasbir Singh Mann succeed?
He succeeded Air Marshal Manish Khanna, UYSM, AVSM, VM, who retired on 30 June 2026 after four decades of service.
On which aircraft does Air Marshal Mann have flying experience?
He has over 3,000 hours of flying on aircraft including the Apache, MiG-21, Jaguar, MiG-29, Su-30 and Rafale.
What appointment did he hold before this posting?
He was the Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command before taking over the Southern Air Command.
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