Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took charge as the new chief of the Indian Air Force in New Delhi on Monday. He is the 26th chief of the Indian Air Force.
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. pic.twitter.com/9xH01idY1s— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 30, 2019
Bhadauria succeeds Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa who retired after serving in the IAF for 41 years.
An IAF spokesperson said, “Birender Singh Dhanoa retired with the traditional wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial here. RKS Bhaduaria has taken charge as the new IAF chief today.”
Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa was instrumental in planning and executing a successful strike against the terrorist camp near Balakote, which is located across POK, in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/Li72rU1f45
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 30, 2019
Bhadauria is an alumus of 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 fighter stream of the IAF in June 1980. Apart from his proficiency in various aircraft of the IAF, Bhadauria is also an Experimental Test Pilot, a Cat ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and a Pilot Attack Instructor. He has held various command, staff and instructional positions.
Bhadauria is one of the few IAF pilots to fly a Rafale jet. In July, during Exercise Garuda between the Air Forces of India and France, Bhadauria had flown the Rafale aircraft.
The outgoing Air chief marshal Dhanoa was commissioned in June 1978 as a fighter pilot. He was instrumental in planning and executing Balakot air strike in Pakistan in February.