Lt. Gen Bipin Rawat to serve as next chief of Army Staff while Air Marshal B.S. Dhanoa as chief of Air Staff

Lt. Gen Bipin Rawat to serve as next chief of Army Staff while Air Marshal B.S. Dhanoa as chief of Air Staff Government on December 17, 2016, decided to appoint Lieutenant general Bipin Rawat as the new chief of Army Staff while Air Marshal B.S. Dhanoa as the new chief of Air Staff.Rawat will succeed General Dalbir Singh, while Dhanoa will replace Arup Raha both of whom are

retiring on December 31. The two new chiefs will take charge on January 1, 2017.

About Lt Gen Bipin Rawat

Lt Gen Bipin Rawat is currently serving as  Vice Chief of Army Staff  of the Indian Army from 01 September 2016.

He was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles on December 16, 1978, from IMA, Dehradun, where he was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’.

He has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter insurgency operations. He has commanded an Infantry battalion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector, 5 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, 19 Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley.

He has also held staff assignments including an instructional tenure at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and at Army War College, Mhow.

He has also been Major General Staff at HQ Eastern Command. He commanded a Multinational Brigade, in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).

Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat assumed the post of General Office Commanding in Chief, Southern Command on 1 January 2016.

Lt Gen Rawat superseded two senior most Lt Generals, Praveen Bakshi and P M Hariz to be appointed as the chief.

About Indian Army :

The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces.

The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure national security and unity, defending the nation from external aggression and threats, and maintaining peace and security within its borders.

It conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances.

The President of India serves as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and it is INDIAN ARMYcommanded by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four-star General.

Headquarter: New Delhi

Founded: August 15, 1947

Moto: Service Before Self

About Air Marshal BS Dhanoa

Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa is Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force and assumed the office on 1 June 2015.

He was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in June 1978 as a fighter pilot. He has flown various types of fighter jets and is a qualified flying instructor.

During the Kargil Operations, he commanded a fighter squadron and himself flew numerous night strike missions in the mountainous terrain.

He has the distinction of having held a number of the important operational appointments including Station Commander of a fighter base and leader of an Indian Military Training Team abroad.

He has also served as Chief Instructor (Air) at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters and Senior Air Staff Officer of two operational Commands.

He is an alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College, the National Defence Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

Prior to being appointed as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Marshal was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command.

He has been awarded Yudh Seva Medal (YSM), Vayusena Medal (VM) in 1999, and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2015 by the President of India in recognition for his meritorious services.

About Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. It is the world’s fourth largest air force in terms of both personnel and aircraft.

Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict.

The President of India serves as Supreme Commander of the IAF. The Chief of Air Staff, an Air Chief Marshal, is a four-star officer and commands the Air Force.

Founded: October: 8, 1932

Headquarter: New Delhi

Moto: Touch the Sky with Glory