New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, an ace combat pilot, Sunday took over the mantle of leading the Indian Air Force (IAF) from incumbent Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik, who retired from service after a four-decade career.

At a brief ceremony at Vayu Bhavan, the air headquarters here, Browne, who has extensive operational, command and staff experience in the IAF, assumed office and bid farewell to the outgoing chief, who has already expressed his intention of settling down in Pune.

Interacting with reporters after taking over, Browne said his priorities as IAF chief would revolve around enhancing IAF’s operational capabilities, maintaining the modernisation drive of the force and ensuring the welfare of its personnel.