Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC took over as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) on September 30, 2021. An alumnus of NDA, the CAS was commissioned in December 1982 in the fighter stream of the IAF. He has flown more than 3800 hours on multiple fighter and trainer aircraft. During his career spanning almost four decades, the CAS 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. Prior to assuming the present appointment, he was the Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
In his address to the IAF, the CAS said that he was honoured and privileged to have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the IAF. Outlining the focus areas for Commanders and personnel, CAS said, “Protection of our Nation’s sovereignty and integrity is to be ensured at any cost”. He added that enhancement of operational capability through integration of newly inducted platforms, weapons and equipment with existing assets and dovetailing the same in concepts of operations would remain a priority area. He spoke on aspects of acquisition of new technology, promotion of indigenisation and innovation, strengthening of cyber security, rapid adaptation of training methods to meet future demands and sustained work to nurture human resources. CAS urged all to “always uphold the ethos and credo of the ‘Air Warrior’, and strive to be an asset to the IAF in any role tasked for”.
As part of Birth Centenary celebrations of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, His Excellency Mr Muhammad Imran, High Commissioner of Bangladesh honoured 10 Indian Naval War Veterans from across the country acknowledging their contribution in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 at a function hosted onboard BNS Somudra Avijan at Visakhapatnam on October 5, 2021.
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