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IAF Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa Retires: Profile, Service Career, Awards
IAF Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa Retires: Profile, Career, Awards
Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa retires as the 22nd Chief of the Air Staff (CoAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He took charge in January 2017.
Birender Singh Dhanoa is the third person from Sikh community to head the IAF after Arjan Singh and Dilbag Singh.
Birender Singh Dhanoa also served as the Vice-Chief of IAF prior to serving as IAF Chief.
Birender Singh Dhanoa is an alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and National Defence Academy (NDA). He was commissioned into the fighter stream of IAF in June 1978.
Birender Singh Dhanoa has served in various squadrons, and in the Intelligence Directorate of Air Headquarters. Before being appointed as Vice Chief he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command.
Birender Singh Dhanoa also served as Chief Instructor (Air) at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in Tamil Nadu, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters and Senior Air Staff Officer of two operational Commands.
Birender Singh Dhanoa had commanded a fighter squadron and had flown numerous night-strike missions during the Kargil operations in the mountainous terrain.
Birender Singh Dhanoa is the recipient of Presidential awards Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal for his distinguished services.
