Who Is Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, The New In-Charge of Western Air Command?

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has taken charge of the Western Air Command. A highly experienced fighter pilot, Mishra is a recipient of the 'Ati Vishisht Seva Medal' and 'Vishisht Seva Medal'.

Air Marshall Jeetendra Mishra

Source : PIB

The charge of the Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force was handed over to Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra on January 1, 2025. Commissioned as a fighter pilot on December 6, 1986, Air Marshal Mishra is a highly experienced Air Force officer.

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra is a graduate of prestigious institutions such as the National Defence Academy in Pune, the Air Force Test Pilots School in Bangalore, the Air Command and Staff College in the United States, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom. With expertise as a Fighter Combat Leader and an experimental Test Pilot, he has logged over 3,000 flying hours.

 

 

 

 

 

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Over a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, Air Marshal Mishra held several key command and staff roles. These include leading a fighter squadron, serving as the Chief Test Pilot at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), commanding two prominent air bases, and holding positions such as Director of Operational Planning and Assessment, Principal Director (ASR), and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects) at Air Headquarters. He has also served as Commandant of ASTE and as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for Doctrine, Organisation, and Training. He was also Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) before he took over as the chief of Western Command.  

Air Marshal Mishra has been honoured with the ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’ and the ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ for his exceptional contributions to the Indian Air Force. He succeeds Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha, who retired on December 31 last year after an illustrious 39-year career.

Mishra's appointment as the chief of the IAF's Western Command will aid India's strategic operations in the Western airspace.