Mehtab Singh Deswal Takes Over as Eastern Air Command Chief

Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal, AVSM VM, took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force on 1 November 2026. Eastern Air Command is one of the operational commands of the Air Force and the appointment was announced by the Ministry of Defence.

Service record

The officer was commissioned into the flying branch of the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on 14 June 1989. He has flown more than 3,200 hours on several types of fighter aircraft. He is a specialist in strike aircraft and air defence roles and holds the qualification of Pilot Attack Instructor.

Training and earlier appointments

Air Marshal Deswal studied at the National Defence Academy (NDA) and at the National Defence College. Over his career he has held field as well as staff assignments.

Decorations

For distinguished service he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vayu Sena Medal, the abbreviations AVSM and VM that follow his name.

The day in the Air Force

The change of command came on the same day that Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff. Aspirants should keep the two apart: the Chief of the Air Staff heads the service, while an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief heads one of its commands. Eastern Air Command looks after air operations in the eastern part of the country.

Points to remember

Questions on senior military appointments usually ask for the name, the command or office taken over, the date and a distinguishing detail from the officer's record. For this appointment the distinguishing details are the fighter pilot commission of 1989, the 3,200 hours of flying, the Pilot Attack Instructor qualification, the posting as Air Attache in Pakistan and the earlier role of Director General (Weapon Systems) at Air Headquarters.