Pradeep Vasant Naik
Encyclopedia
Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik is the current Chief of the Air Staff
of the Indian Air Force
. He took office on May 31, 2009, becoming the nineteenth Chief of Air Staff following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major
.
Air Chief Marshal Naik was born on July 22, 1949 at Nagpur, Maharahstra and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 21, 1969 as a fighter pilot
. He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Satara and National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla in Maharashtra. During his 40 years of service, he has served in a variety of command staff and instructional appointments. He has over 3,000 hrs of flying on his log. The Air Chief also took part in 1971 war
air actions in the Western sector. Before taking over as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Vice Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. He has also served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Allahabad
-based, Central Air Command.
Besides being a fellow of the National Defence College, New Delhi, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he has attended a variety of courses like Flying Instructor’s Course, Jungle & Snow Survival Course and Junior Commander’s Course.
Air Chief Marshal Naik is decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal
(PVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal
(VSM). He is also one of the Honorary Aides-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India
.
Air Chief Marshal Naik and his wife Madhubala Naik have two sons; the elder was a fighter pilot with the Indian Air Force and later transferred to the transport stream, and the younger, a Chief Officer in the Indian Merchant Navy.
Chief of the Air Staff (India)
The head of the Indian Air Force is known as the Chief of the Air Staff . The position was held by an Air Commodore , by an Air Vice-Marshal and by an Air Marshal . In 1965, the position was upgraded to that of an Air Chief Marshal...
of the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
. He took office on May 31, 2009, becoming the nineteenth Chief of Air Staff following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major
Fali Homi Major
Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major served as the eighteenth Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force taking office on April 1, 2007, and becoming the first helicopter pilot in the service to be promoted to the office of Chief...
.
Air Chief Marshal Naik was born on July 22, 1949 at Nagpur, Maharahstra and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 21, 1969 as a fighter pilot
Fighter pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
. He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Satara and National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla in Maharashtra. During his 40 years of service, he has served in a variety of command staff and instructional appointments. He has over 3,000 hrs of flying on his log. The Air Chief also took part in 1971 war
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
air actions in the Western sector. Before taking over as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Vice Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. He has also served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Allahabad
Allahabad
Allahabad , or Settled by God in Persian, is a major city of India and is one of the main holy cities of Hinduism. It was renamed by the Mughals from the ancient name of Prayaga , and is by some accounts the second-oldest city in India. It is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh,...
-based, Central Air Command.
Besides being a fellow of the National Defence College, New Delhi, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he has attended a variety of courses like Flying Instructor’s Course, Jungle & Snow Survival Course and Junior Commander’s Course.
Air Chief Marshal Naik is decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Param Vishisht Seva Medal is a military award of India. It was constituted in 1960 and since then till 1980, it was awarded in recognition to peace-time service of most exceptional order.-External links:...
(PVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal is a decoration of the Indian Armed forces. It is awarded to recognize "distinguished service of an exceptional order" to all ranks of the Indian armed forces....
(VSM). He is also one of the Honorary Aides-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
.
Air Chief Marshal Naik and his wife Madhubala Naik have two sons; the elder was a fighter pilot with the Indian Air Force and later transferred to the transport stream, and the younger, a Chief Officer in the Indian Merchant Navy.