Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari takes over as Chief of Air Staff

An alumnus of NDA, the CAS was commissioned in December 1982 in the fighter stream of the IAF. He has flown more than 3,800 hours on multiple fighter and trainer aircraft.

During his career spanning almost four decades, Air Chief Marshal V.R Chaudhari has tenanted many significant command and staff appointments. He has commanded a MiG-29 squadron, two Air Force stations and Western Air Command. His staff appointments include Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Eastern Air Command, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Personnel Officers), Deputy Commandant of Air Force Academy, and Air Assistant to Chief of the Air Staff.

A Cat 'A' qualified flying instructor, he has served as an instructor at flying training establishments and has also been an Air Force examiner. He was a pioneer member of the Suryakiran Aerobatic Display Team.

An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he has served as a directing staff there. He has also served as directing staff at DSCSC in Zambia. Prior to assuming the present appointment, he was the Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari is a recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, and is honorary ADC to the President of India.

In his address to the IAF, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said he was honoured and privileged to have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Air Force. Extending greetings to all Air Warriors, non-combatants (enrolled), DSC personnel, civilians and their families, he expressed absolute faith and confidence in their ability to accomplish all assigned tasks with resolute dedication while maintaining IAF's operational capability at an all-time high.