After achieving feats, Air Marshal KS Gill now settles in hometown

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 2

The son of a Patiala farmer, Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill, AVSM VSM VM (G) ADC Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command, laid down his office on December 31, 2015.

Now settled in Patiala, he has held many important staff, command and instructional appointments both in India and abroad. Under his able stewardship, the Central Air Command achieved a rare feat of landing fighter aircraft on Agra-Noida Expressway showcasing ops capability by harnessing the full potential of alternative infrastructure during any contingency.

The Air Marshal was appointed as the Honorary Air ADC to the President of India on June 1, 2015. Air Marshal Gill is married to Ranjeet Gill, who is a homemaker and also hails from Patiala. The couple has three children. The eldest is the daughter, Roheen Reez Gill, who is employed and well settled in Australia. The son, Shahbeg Singh Gill, is a fighter pilot and was commissioned in the IAF into the Flying Branch. The youngest daughter, Shaffeen Reez Gill, has recently completed her BBA from MIT, Pune.

Further, this Command successfully operated fighter aircraft from three civil airfields, first-of-its-kind operations, which sharpened operational potential of the IAF. The CAC had promptly responded and was first to land in Nepal for rescue and relief operations.

On his last working day, various military traditional ceremonies were organised in the HQ CAC, IAF, to bid adieu to the retiring officer. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was organised at the CAC War Memorial where the officer paid his tributes to the martyrs, along with other air warriors. A guard of honour was also presented to the Air Officer. A “Pull Ashore” ceremony was also organised wherein all air warriors lined up to see off Air Marshal Gill.

He was the first Contingent Commander of the UN Mission to Congo. For his exceptional organisational ability, leadership skills and effective liaison with the UN HQs in New York, he was conferred the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM).

He has also been a directing staff in the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad. As Air Vice-Marshal, he was the Senior Officer in-charge Administration (SOA) of the Eastern Air Command wherein he was responsible for all infrastructure developmental projects, administrative functioning, security issues and welfare of air warriors and their families. Prior to taking over as the AOC-in-C of the Central Air Command, Air Marshal Gill was the Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Pune.

Air Marshal KS Gill is an avid golfer and an outstanding sportsman. In his earlier days, he has been the member of the seventh and eights Antarctica Expedition wherein for displaying extraordinary courage he was awarded with the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) in 1990.

Various military traditional ceremonies held on his last working day

On his last working day, various military traditional ceremonies were organised in the HQ CAC, IAF, to bid adieu to the retiring officer. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was organised at the CAC War Memorial where the officer paid his tributes to the martyrs, along with other air warriors. A guard of honour was also presented to the Air Officer.