Shillong: Air Marshal Surat Singh has officially assumed the role of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF), effective from October 1, 2024. A distinguished alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Singh was commissioned into the Fighter Stream of the IAF on December 6, 1986.
With over 2,900 flying hours on various fighter aircraft, including the MiG-21, MiG-29, and Su-30 MKI, Air Marshal Singh brings a wealth of operational experience to his new position. He is a graduate of the Command and Staff College, Australia, and the National Defence College, Bangladesh, and has held numerous prestigious roles throughout his career.
Air Marshal Singh’s leadership experience includes commanding a MiG-29 squadron, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), an Air Defence Node, and a fighter station. He has also served in critical staff positions such as Director at the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI), Principal Director at the Directorate of Personnel (Officers) and Directorate of Operations (Offensive), and Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Space). Prior to this appointment, he was the Director General of Air Operations at Air Headquarters.
In recognition of his exemplary service, Air Marshal Singh has been awarded several prestigious honors, including the Vayu Sena Medal (VM) in 2006, the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2011, and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2015.
The Eastern Air Command, headquartered in Shillong, plays a crucial role in safeguarding India's airspace in the eastern sector, and Air Marshal Singh's extensive experience is expected to further strengthen its operational capabilities.