A Command Staff Interaction with Air Veterans and Next of Kin (NOKs) was conducted at Headquarters Maintenance Command, Nagpur, on September 17, 2026, providing a platform for veterans and families of personnel to raise concerns and interact directly with senior Indian Air Force leadership.
The interaction was chaired by Air Marshal Yalla Umesh, VSM, PhD, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Maintenance Command. The engagement focused on hearing the concerns of veterans and NOKs, facilitating the resolution of issues and strengthening the institutional connect between the Indian Air Force and its veteran community.
On the occasion, Air Marshal Yalla Umesh felicitated Wing Commander SK Jain (Retd), Honorary Flying Officer MS Chauhan (Retd) and Mrs Sanjivani Yeole, wife of Late Warrant Officer Maroti Yeole. The individuals were recognised for their dedicated service to the nation and their association with the Indian Air Force.
Such interactions provide an important avenue for veterans and NOKs to communicate their concerns directly to senior commanders. Beyond addressing individual issues, these engagements reinforce the continuing institutional relationship between serving personnel, veterans and the families of those who have served.
The interaction also highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong support mechanism for the veteran community. Veterans remain an integral part of the wider IAF family, while the families and NOKs of serving and deceased personnel continue to form an important part of the service’s institutional support framework.
The Maintenance Command plays a critical role in sustaining the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities through maintenance and technical support. Against this institutional backdrop, the engagement at its headquarters in Nagpur brought together the command leadership and members of the veteran community in an interaction centred on service, welfare and connectivity.
The felicitation of the veterans and Mrs Sanjivani Yeole also served as a recognition of the contributions and sacrifices associated with military service. Such recognition helps preserve the connection between the institution and those who have contributed to its operational and organisational strength over the course of their service.
The Command Staff Interaction reaffirmed the Indian Air Force’s enduring commitment to its veterans and their families. By providing a forum to hear concerns, facilitate issue resolution and maintain direct engagement, the initiative underscored the service’s continuing emphasis on the principles of honour, connect and care.
The September 17 interaction at Headquarters Maintenance Command thus combined recognition of dedicated service with a practical engagement on veteran and family concerns, reinforcing the IAF’s commitment to remaining connected with its extended service community.
