Soldier Pilots - Pioneers

Lt. Hardutt Singh Malik was born on November 22, 1894. He became the first Indian to fly into combat with the Royal Flying Corps. He was the person who made it possible for Indians to commission into the RFC. In the middle of intense fighting, he got away with a few bullet wounds in his right leg. He was the only Indian aviator to survive the First World War and thus he was a hero in his own right.

2nd Lt. Indra Lal Roy, DFC, was born in Calcutta on December 2, 1898. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on September 21, 1918. He was the first Indian to be honoured with it. He was a very gallant and determined young officer, who in 13 days accounted for nine enemy machines and set new standards.

Lt. Shrikrishna Chanda Welingkar, was a brave man who sustained wounds in action on June 27, 1918 and died three days later on June 30, 1918. During his service, he was awarded the Military Cross. His death in action is commemorated at the Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension, at Somme, France.

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Padma Vibhushan, DFC, was the first Chief who led the Air Force into war. Arjan Singh was born on April 15, 1919 in Lyalpur and completed his education at Montgomery. Arjan Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership of the air force. In recognition of the Air Force's contribution in the war, his rank was upgraded to that of Air Chief Marshal. Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal, Padma Vibhushan Padma Bhushan, DFC, was the one who led the Indian Air Force to its victory in 1971. In 1972, P.C. Lal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership. He retired from the IAF, on January 15, 1973 as IAF's most successful chief and as its highly decorated officer.

Fg Off Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Param Vir Chakra- The Param Vir Chakra is the highest gallantry award given to the Indian Armed Forces. Since Indpendence only 21 awards were given, as many as 14 of these are posthumous awards. The Indian Air Force received only one Param Vir Chakra to date, awarded posthumously to Fg Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon for his bravery in the 1971 War.

These are a few of the pioneers of the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force is witness to many such heroes, who deserve applaud.


Air Chief Marshal Shashindra Pal Tyagi PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC Chief of the Air Staff

Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy PVSM, AVSM, VM, Bar Chief of the Air Staff	31 Dec 2001 - 31 Dec 2004

Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC Chief of the Air Staff	31 Dec 1998 - 31 Dec 2001

Air Chief Marshal Satish Kumar Sareen PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC Chief of the Air Staff	31 Dec 1995 - 31 Dec 1998

Air Chief Marshal Swaroop Krishna Kaul PVSM, MVC, ADC Chief of the Air Staff	01 Aug 1993 - 31 Dec 1995

Air Chief Marshal Nirmal Chandra Suri PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC Chief of the Air Staff	31 July 1991 - 31 July 1993

Air Chief Marshal Surinder Kumar Mehra PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC Chief of the Air Staff	01 Aug 1988 - 31 July 1991

Air Chief Marshal D.A. La Fontaine PVSM, AVSM, VM Chief of the Air Staff	03 July 1985 - 31 July 1988

Air Chief Marshal Laxman Mohan Katre PVSM, AVSM, Bar Chief of the Air Staff	04 Sep 1984 - 01 July 1985

Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh PVSM, AVSM, VM Chief of the Air Staff	01 Sep 1978 - 31 Aug 1981

Air Chief Marshal Hrushikesh Moolgavkar PVSM, MVC Chief of the Air Staff	01 Feb 1976 - 31 Aug 1978

Air Chief Marshal Om Prakash Mehra PADMA VIBHUSHAN, PVSM Chief of the Air Staff	16 Jan 1973 - 31 Jan 1976

Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal PADMA VIBHUSHAN, PADMA BHUSHAN, DFC Chief of the Air Staff	16 July 1969 - 15 Jan 1973

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh PADMA VIBHUSHAN, DFC Chief of the Air Staff	01 Aug 1964 - 15 July 1969

Air Marshal Aspy Merwan Engineer DFC Chief of the Air Staff	01 Dec 1960 - 31 July 1964

Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee OBE Chief of the Air Staff	01 April 1954 - 08 Nov 1960

Air Marshal Sir Gerald Ernest Gibbs KBE, CIE, MC, Bar C-in-C	10 Dec 1951 - 31 Mar 1954

Air Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman GCB, KBE, DFC, AFC C-in-C	22 Feb 1950 - 09 Dec 1951

Air Marshal Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst KBE, CB, CBE, AFC C-in-C	15 Aug 1947 - 02 Feb 1950

Air Marshal Sir Hugh S P Walmseley CB, CBE, MC, DFC AOC-in-C/Deputy Supreme Commander Indian Air Force & RAF Units in India and Pakistan.	Oct 1946 to Aug 1947

Air Marshal Sir Roderick Carr KBE, CB, DFC, AFC Air Officer Commanding, India Command	Jan 1946 to Oct 1946

Air Vice Marshal M Thomas CSI, DFC, AFC Air Officer Commanding, India Command	Mar 1944 to Jan 1946

Air Marshal Sir Guy A R Garrod GBE, KCB, MC, DFL Deputy Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Air Forces in India.	Apr 1943 to Mar 1944

Air Marshal Sir Richard E C Pierse KCB, DSO Air Officer Commanding, India Command	Mar 1942 to Apr 1943

Air Marshal Sir Patrick M L Playfair KCB, CB, CVO, MC Air Officer Commanding, India Command	Sep 1940 to Mar 1942

Air Marshal Sir John F A Higgens KCB, KBE, DSO, AFC Air Officer Commanding, India Command	Oct 1939 to Sep 1940

Air Marshal Sir Philip B Joubert De la Ferte KCB, CMG, DSO Air Officer Commanding, India Command	Sep 1937 to Oct 1939

Air Marshal Sir Edgar L Ludlow-Hewitt KCB, CMG, DSO, MC Air Officer Commanding, India Command	Mar 1935 to Sep 1937

Air Marshal Sir John M Steel KCB, CG, CMG Air Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force	Feb 1931 to Mar 1935

For a detailed account of their tenure, please visit the website 'Bharat-Rakshak'