Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor (SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VM) took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, on Thursday.
Air Marshal Kapoor assumes the appointment of Vice Chief of the Air Staff from Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, (SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VM) who superannuated after 40 years of service.
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Before assuming charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Kapoor served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command.
Air Marshal Kapoor is a graduate of the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Flying Branch of the IAF on in 1986. A highly experienced fighter pilot, he is also a qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader.
Over the course of his distinguished flying career, he has flown all variants of the MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft. He has accumulated more than 3,400 hours of flying experience on a wide range of combat and trainer aircraft.
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An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College, Air Marshal Kapoor has rendered over 39 years of illustrious service. During this period, he has held a broad range of command, operational, instructional, and staff roles.
His operational tenures include serving as Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector, and Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base.
His instructional assignments include Chief Instructor (Flying) at the Air Force Academy and Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
During his tenure at the Air Force Academy, he played a key role in the induction and operationalisation of the PC-7 Mk II aircraft in the IAF.
The Air Marshal has also served in a diplomatic capacity as Defence Attaché to Pakistan.
His key staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air Headquarters, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command, and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters.
He was also the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command.
In recognition of his exemplary and distinguished service, he has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (2008), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2022), and the Presidential awards of Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (2025).
