Air Marshal Bhadauria takes charge as Air Force Chief

Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took over as new chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He has served in the AIF for over four decades. Bhadauria, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was commissioned into the IAF's fighter stream in June 1980.

New Delhi: Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Monday took charge as the new Air Chief Marshal.

He took over the charge from his predecessor Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa who retired after the service of over four decades.

“Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, took over as 26th Chief of the Indian Air Force today. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of IAF in Jun 1980,” the IAF said in an official statement.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy where he won the coveted 'Sword of Honour' for standing first in the overall order of merit, he was commissioned into the IAF's fighter stream in June 1980.

Dhanoa was instrumental in planning and executing a successful strike against the terrorist camp near Balakote, which is located across the Line of Control, in Pakistan in February this year.