Air Marshal

N J S Dhillon

PVSM, AVSM
Born (1961-01-02) 2 January 1961 (age 63) [1]
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Air Force
Years of service1981 – 31 January 2021
Rank Air Marshal
Service number16580[2]
Commands heldStrategic Forces Command
AwardsParam Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

Air Marshal Navkaranjit Singh Dhillon, AVSM was the commander-in-chief of India's Strategic Forces Command. He assumed office on 1 April 2019, following the retirement of Air Marshal Jasbir Walia.[3] He superannuated on 31 January 2021.[4]

Early life and education

Dhillon is an alumnus of St. Francis School, Amritsar, Sainik School, Kapurthala and Khalsa College, Amritsar.[1] He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the National Defence College, New Delhi.[5]

Career

Dhillon has served as Principal Director Air Defence at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), as well as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Inspection) at Air Headquarters. Prior to assuming commander-in-chief of Strategic Forces Command, he was Air Defence Commander at Headquarters, Southern Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters, Western Air Command.[6]

Honours and decorations

In his career of 38 years, Dhillon has been awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021 for his service.[2][7]

Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

Personal life

He is married to Simmar Dhillon and they have a son Pavit Dhillon and a Daughter Puneet Dhillon.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "N S Dhillon appointed as new chief of strategic forces".
  2. ^ a b "368 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced". 25 January 2014.
  3. ^ @ANI (30 March 2019). "Fighter pilot Air Marshal NS Dhillon appointed as the new Strategic Forces Command Chief. The Strategic Forces Command looks after the strategic nuclear arsenal of the country" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar to take over as new chief of Strategic Forces Command". 31 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Air Marshal NJS Dhillon takes over as Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command". 31 July 2016.
  6. ^ "Air Marshal NS Dhillon appointed as new Strategic Forces Command Chief". 30 March 2019.
  7. ^ "President Shri Ram Nath Kovind approves 455 Gallantry & other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day". PIB. 25 January 2021.
Military offices Preceded byJasbir Walia Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command 1 April 2019 – 31 January 2021 Succeeded byRajesh Kumar Preceded byBalakrishnan Suresh Senior Air Staff Officer - Western Air Command 1 August 2016 – 31 March 2019 Succeeded byDiptendu Choudhury
Categories