Shillong: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) attended the annual Eastern Air Command (EAC) Commanders' conference held from September 6 to 7 at Headquarters Eastern Air Command, Shillong.

The Chief of the Air Staff reviewed operational preparedness of the EAC and commended all personnel for achievements that had ensured the highest level of Operational readiness as well as response towards HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, and High Availability Disaster Recovery) and aid to civil administration.In his address, the CAS emphasized the crucial role of EAC in maintaining a high operational preparedness, a release said. 

He urged all the Commanders to continue their efforts towards providing a safe operational flying environment and to keep pace with global technological developments, especially in the newer domains of space, cyber and electronic warfare as well as to ensure a healthy work-life balance. 

The CAS awarded trophies to Stations for achieving excellence in the fields of Operations, Maintenance and Administration. Earlier Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari attended the Joint Commanders' Conference in Lucknow on September 5.

Earlier, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the proposal for procurement of 240 aero-engines (AL-31FP) for Su-30 MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) under Buy (Indian) category from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at an estimated cost of Rs 26,000 crore.As per a Defence Ministry release, the delivery of these aero-engines would start after one year and complete over a period of eight years.