Mumbai: Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa who was instrumental in planning and executing Balakot strike retired on Monday. Dhanoa laid a wreath at the National War Memorial ahead of his retirement.
“He retires today after 41 years of glorious service…He was commissioned in June 1978 as a fighter pilot and has led the IAF from the front always,” the Indian Air Force tweeted.
https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1178532816809652224
Dhanoa was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 1978. He has flown various types of fighter jets and is a qualified flying instructor. He has flown fighter aircraft across the spectrum including HJT-16 Kiran, MiG-21, SEPECAT Jaguar, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI.
He held several key operational and administrative appointments in his 41 years of career including Director Targeting Cell at Air Headquarters, Director Fighter Operations & War Planning at Headquarters Western Air Command, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters, Senior Air Staff Officer of Eastern and Western Air Command and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South Western Air Command (1 November – 31 May 2015). He has held instructional appointments of Senior Air Instructor and Chief Air Instructor at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and leader of an Indian Air Force Training Team abroad.
Dhanoa was Commanding Officer of a front line ground attack fighter squadron during the Kargil Conflict in 1999. Under his leadership, the squadron devised innovative methods of night bombing at high altitudes which had never been attempted before.
His squadron was adjudged the best fighter squadron of HQ WAC. He was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) and Vayu Sena Medal (VM) for his gallant actions in this conflict.
Dhanoa has been awarded several medals: the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2016), the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2015), the Yudh Seva Medal (1999), and the Vayu Sena Medal (1999). He was also appointed as Honorary ADC to the President of India on 1 August 2015.
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