Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria

Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on September 30 took charge as the 26th chief of the Indian Air Force. The Air Marshal is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned in the fighter stream of IAF on 15 Jun 1980 and won the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ for standing first in the overall order of merit. He has over 4250 hours of experience on twenty six types of fighters and transport aircraft with the unique distinction of being an Experimental Test Pilot, a Cat ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and a Pilot Attack Instructor. He completed his Masters in Defence Studies from Command and Staff College, Bangladesh.

The Air Marshal has held a number of important appointments, which include, Command of a Jaguar Squadron and a premier Air Force Station, Commanding Officer of Flight Test Squadron at Aircraft & System Testing Establishment, Chief Test Pilot and Project Director of National Flight Test Centre on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project. He was extensively involved in the initial prototype flight tests on the LCA. Air Marshal Bhadauria was also the Air Attache, at EoI Moscow, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ CAC, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air HQ and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command. Prior to assuming the present appointment, he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command.
During his illustrious career, he was commended by the Chief of Air Staff and has been awarded Param Vishist Seva Medal, Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal.