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History of Air force association WZ branch

Air Mshl YV Malse was nominated as the founder President of the Air force Associationn (WZ) Branch and the branch was to operate from Pune, the selected place of residence after his retirement. After he took over as the founder President of the AFA (WZ), an executive committee was formed. The first preliminary meeting with the executive committee members was held on 15 Apr 1981 at the residence of Air Mshl YV Malse. Subsequently, the first official meeting was held on 01 May 1981, at the central building Pune with arrangement with the Divisional Commissioner, Pune. It was attended by all the executive committee members and a few enrolled AFA members.

Air Mshl YV Malse presided as the branch President till 1985. AVM WR Dani took over as President of AFA (WZ) Branch from Air Mshl YV Malse and held the office till 1990. The branch till then enrolled 913 members n its strength. In 1990, Gp Capt PS Pardeshi took over as the President from AVM WR Dani and officiated till 1994. During 1994 Wg Cdr AB Jamale officiated as the President and took steps to gather volunteers from officers and men from Pune and took a lot of interest in improving the working structure of the branch. It was during his time that with his personal effects, the office space was organized with the AOC, Adv HQ, SWAC and office accommodation in the form of a Hall was allotted by the AOC.

In the year 1998, Gp Capt YS Marwa was asked to take over as the Branch President of AFA (WZ) by Air Mshl SK Kaul, the then President of AFA Head Office. After taking over as the president, the Branch took stock of the position as existed during the absence of a President after the serious illness of Gp Capt BS Raje. Gp Capt YS Marwa consulted presumably willing volunteers to make an executive committee to initiate tasks. The branch started functioning with the executive committee with a view to take stock of the ground situation of the Accts and the office activities connected with welfare work of the retirees of the branch with specific handling of issues required immediate action.



All members of the executive committee took on their task seriously and the branch started functioning satisfactorily. MEO C Thomas was nominated as the Secretary of the branch. Despite his advanced age and condition of his health, he worked with devotion and sincerity to mobilize and motivate volunteers to provide full support for organizing various functions in running of the branch. All the other members of the executive committee worked selflessly to undertake all tasks required for functioning and organizing various activities.