Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia Takes Over as AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command

New Delhi: Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia on Saturday assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Indian Air Force’s Eastern Air Command (EAC), one of the IAF’s most strategically significant formations.

The change of command comes as part of the ongoing leadership transition under the broader framework of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, marking 75 years of India’s independence.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Air Marshal Walia was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on June 11, 1988. Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he has emerged as one of the IAF’s most experienced combat aviators and operational leaders.

The Air Marshal is qualified to fly multiple frontline fighter aircraft, including the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar, and Su-30 MKI. He has logged over 3,200 hours of accident- and incident-free flying, a testament to his professional competence and operational discipline.

Air Marshal Walia has held a wide range of command, staff, and instructional appointments. His command experience includes leading a MiG-27 squadron, heading the elite Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), and serving as Air Officer Commanding of a frontline air base.

He is a Fighter Strike Leader and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner (IRIE).

On the academic and strategic front, he has completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College in Bangladesh, further strengthening his exposure to joint and international military planning. His diplomatic assignments include serving as Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassies in Japan and South Korea, enhancing defence cooperation with key Indo-Pacific partners.

At Air Headquarters, he has served as Air Commodore at the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI) and later as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training). He also held the post of Air Defence Commander at Headquarters Western Air Command.

Prior to his latest appointment, he was the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Eastern Air Command.

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

He succeeds Air Marshal Surat Singh, who superannuated on January 31, 2026, after 39 years of dedicated service to the nation.