Ashutosh Dixit Assumes Command as IAF Chief

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed command of the Indian Air Force on October 31, succeeding Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who retired after a 43-year career. The IAF gave Singh a ceremonial guard of honour before the handover at Race Course Air Force Station. Dixit became Chief of the Air Staff after serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff. He was commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream on December 6, 1986, and has more than 3,500 hours of flying experience, according to career details attributed to the Ministry of Defence and reported accounts of his service. His career has included operational, command, instructional and staff appointments. He commanded a frontline fighter air base in the Western Sector and a fighter training base in the Southern Sector, and served as Air Defence Commander of Southern Air Command. At Air Headquarters, he held positions including Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Projects and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Plans. Before becoming Vice Chief, Dixit served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. He has also been...