Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, a Kargil war veteran, was announced as the next Air Force chief. He will succeed incumbent Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha who relinquishes the office on December 31.
Commissioned in the IAF in June 1978 as a fighter pilot, he is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has flown various types of fighter aircraft in his distinguished career.
During the Kargil operations, he commanded a fighter squadron and himself flew numerous night strike missions over mountainous terrain.
Air Marshal Dhanoa has the distinction of having held a number of important operational appointments including Station Commander of a fighter base and leader of an Indian Military Training Team abroad.
He has also served as Chief Instructor (Air) at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters, and Senior Air Staff Officer of two operational Commands.
Prior to being appointed Vice Chief, he was Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South-Western Air Command.
Know More: Air Marshall Birender Singh Dhanoa- Commissioned in the IAF in June 1978 as a fighter pilot.
- Dhanoa is an alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College, National Defence Academy and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
- Born: Sept 7, 1957
- Prior to moving in as Vice-Chief, he was Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command.
- Led a fighter squadron in Operation Vijay 1999.
He was awarded:- Yudh Seva Medal (YSM),
- Vayusena Medal (VM) in 1999
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2015.
