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Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia Takes Charge of IAF's Eastern Air Command

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has taken over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command. An experienced fighter pilot commissioned in 1988, he is qualified on several aircraft including the Su-30 MKI and has logged over 3,200 accident-free flying hours. His distinguished career includes command roles, international postings, and prestigious awards like the Vayu Sena Medal. He succeeds Air Marshal Surat Singh, who retired after nearly four decades of service.

Key Points: IAF Eastern Air Command Gets New Chief, Air Marshal Walia

  • Assumed command of Eastern Air Command
  • Over 3,200 accident-free flying hours
  • Qualified on multiple fighter jets
  • Awarded Vayu Sena and Ati Vishisht Seva Medals
  • Succeeds Air Marshal Surat Singh
2 min read

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia takes over as chief of IAF's Eastern Air Command

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia assumes command of IAF Eastern Air Command, bringing over 3,200 hours of fighter flying experience.

"He has over 3,200 hours of accident/incident-free flying - Defence Ministry"

New Delhi/Shillong, Feb 1 Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command on Sunday, a Defence Ministry statement said.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Air Marshal was commissioned in the Fighter stream of the IAF on June 11, 1988, the statement said.

Qualified on all variants of the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar, and Su-30 MKI, he has over 3, 200 hours of accident/incident-free flying, it said.

In a career spanning over three decades, the Air Officer has held various command and staff appointments. He has commanded a MiG-27 Squadron, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and was Air Officer Commanding of a frontline base, it said.

He is a Fighter Strike Leader, an Instrument Rating Instructor & Examiner (IRIE), has undergone the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the UK, and the National Defence College in Bangladesh, said the statement.

The Air Marshal has served as the Defence Attache at the Indian Embassies in Japan and South Korea.

Serving as Air Commodore, Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI), the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Training, at the Air HQ and Air Defence Commander of the Western Air Command, he was serving as the Senior Air Staff Officer at the Eastern Air Command before taking over its command, the statement said.

In recognition of his distinguished service, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (VM) in 2008 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2018.

Air Marshal Walia succeeds Air Marshal Surat Singh, who superannuated on January 31, 2026, after 39 years of distinguished and devoted service to the nation.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Such an impressive and diverse resume. From flying our frontline fighters to diplomatic postings in Japan and Korea. This kind of broad experience is exactly what we need leading a critical command like the Eastern Air Command. Best wishes!
R
Rohit P
Qualified on all variants of MiG-21? That's the real mark of a fighter pilot. That aircraft is legendary but also demanding. His experience at TACDE means he's shaped our air combat tactics. A solid choice for the Eastern theatre.
S
Sarah B
Reading about officers like him always fills me with pride. The Vayu Sena Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal speak volumes. We sleep peacefully because such capable individuals are guarding our skies. Thank you for your service, Sir.
V
Vikram M
A respectful note: While his credentials are stellar, I hope the focus under his leadership remains on modernizing our fleet further and ensuring the best for our jawans on the ground. The Eastern front needs constant vigilance and cutting-edge preparedness.
K
Karthik V
His prior posting as Senior Air Staff Officer in the same command is a smart move. He already knows the challenges and the team. Seamless transition. Also, training at NDC Bangladesh shows our strong regional ties. Good luck, Air Marshal!

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