New Delhi, Sep 9 - Air Marshal N.A.K. Browne, who heads the Indian Air Force's (IAF) western command, Wednesday visited the Chandigarh air force station to review the 'operational and training preparedness', officials said.

'Chandigarh is an important base of the Western Air Command (WAC) by being the backbone of the transport support for the troops. The WAC chief's visit was aimed at reviewing the operational and training preparedness of the air base,' a senior IAF official said.

Chandigarh air base in northern India is one of the 14 Indian air bases under the Western Air Command within 300 km of the India-Pakistan border.

Chandigarh is home to repair depot of Mi-8 and Mi-17 attack helicopters and two squadrons of MiG-21 fighter jets and IL-76 transport aircraft.

The strategic importance of the air base was underlined during the India-China war in October-November 1962. Transport squadrons operating from Chandigarh provided logistic support to the Indian Army in Ladakh working under adverse conditions and operating in one of the most difficult terrains in the world.

Browne also met Lieutenant General T.K. Sapru, who heads the Indian Army's Western Command.