Awadhesh Kumar Bharti
Awadhesh Kumar Bharti | |
|---|---|
| 49th Deputy Chief of the Air Staff | |
| Assumed office 1 June 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Tejinder Singh |
| Director General of Air Operations | |
| In office 1 October 2024 – 31 May 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Surat Singh |
| Succeeded by | George Thomas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Purnea, Bihar |
| Alma mater | Air Force Academy National Defence Academy Tilaiya Sainik School |
| Awards |  Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal  Vayu Sena Medal |
| Nickname | Galloping Horse |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch/service |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 13 June 1987 – Present |
| Rank |  Air Marshal |
| Battles/wars | Operation Vijay Operation Parakram Operation Sindoor |
| Service number | 18781 |
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, SYSM, AVSM,VM (also known as Air Marshal A.K. Bharti) is the current Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.[1][2] of the Indian Air Force. He has held this position since 1 June 2025.[1] Prior to this, Bharti was the Director General of Air Operations.[3] He played an important role in Operation Sindoor.[4][5]
Early life and education
A.K. Bharti was born in Jhunni Kala village, located in the Purnia district of Bihar.[6][7] His father is Jiwachh Lal Yadav, a retired govt personnel of Kosi Project and mother is Urmila Devi.[8][9] [10] Bharti received his school education from Sainik School Tilaiya. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy Khadakwasla Pune , Defence Services Staff College, Wellington India and National Defence College.[11] During his NDA days, Air Marshal Bharti was nicknamed ‘galloping horse’, as his cross country record there remained unbroken for many years.[12]
Military career
Bharti was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 June 1987. At the National Defence Academy in 1986, he was awarded the prestigious President’s Silver Medal. In 1987 At Air Force Academy he was commissioned as a fighter pilot and was awarded the prestigious SWORD of HONOUR for standing first in his course.He has flown different types of MIG-21’s , MIG-29 , SU-30MKI,SU-30MKM He has led and also been a part of many IAF air exercises like COPE India Ex-2004, Ex-Garud,Ex-Indradanush on foreign soils. [13]. He has been the Flight Commander of No. 24 Squadron and Commanding Officer ofNo. 30 Squadron.[1] Bharti has been awarded three stars for accident-free flying (outstanding performance). He has received commendation from the Chief of Air Staff. He served as a Air Attache with Royal Malaysian Air Force and trained the Malaysian Fighter Pilots on SU-30 MKM.He commanded the Sukhoi Air Base at Air Force Station Pune. He also served in Tri Services Strategic Forces Command of India,as Chief Staff Officer (Air) and later as Asst Chief of Staff Offensive operations at Air HQ's.He was elevated as the Senior Air Staff Officer of the Central Air Command.He contributed to the Prayagraj Kumbh Melaand also conducted the Air Show over Sangam Prayagraj.[14]
Honours and decorations
Bharti was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 for his service.[15] He was awarded Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Service Record for Air Marshal Awadesh Kumar Bharti 18781 F(P)". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Lt General Rajiv Ghai, Air Marshal Bharti take over as deputy chiefs". The Times of India. 10 June 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ Kumar, Prabhakar (13 May 2025). Paul, Rohit (ed.). ""World Knows Whose Son Made India Proud": Air Marshal Bharti's Mother". NDTV. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ Singh, Mayank (12 May 2025). "Layered air defence minimised damage from Pakistani strikes, say armed forces in joint briefing". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b Trivedi, Saurabh (14 August 2025). "Defence personnel awarded gallantry medals for success of Operation Sindoor". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ "'Fark saaf hai': BJP mocks Tejashwi Yadav by comparing him with Air Marshal AK Bharti". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ PTI (13 May 2025). "Bihar MP Pappu Yadav meets parents of Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti". ThePrint. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Air Marshal Bharti's role in Operation Sindoor fills Bihar's Jhunni Kalan village with pride". The Tribune. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Operation Sindoor: He Stayed True To His Childhood Resolve, Says DG Air Ops Bharti's Mother". News18. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Air Marshal AK Bharti Education: झारखंड के इस स्कूल से पढ़ें हैं पाकिस्तान के छक्के छुड़ाने वाले एयर मार्शल भारती, बिहार से भी है नाता". Prabhat Khabar (in Hindi). 13 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "Op Sindoor architect Air Marshal Bharti gives fresh fame and pride to parents and Purnia". Hindustan Times. 12 May 2025. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ Kumar, Ruchir (12 May 2025). "Op Sindoor architect Air Marshal Bharti gives fresh fame and pride to parents and Purnia". Hindustan Times.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (13 May 2025). "A Mother's Ardent Wish Gave India Her Brave Air Marshal AK Bharti, Who Played Vital Role In Operation Sindoor". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ Livemint (11 May 2025). "Who is AK Bharti, Rajiv Ghai, AN Pramod? Director Generals of Air, Military & Naval operations | Today News". mint. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "President confers 94 Distinguished Service Decorations to defence personnel". IndianMandarins. Retrieved 6 June 2025.