B. S. Dhanoa

ACM B. S. Dhanoa (Retd.) is an alumnus of St. George's College, Mussoorie. He then moved to Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, and later joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in June 1974. He graduated from the Jawaharlal Nehru University in 1977. Post his flying training, he was commissioned in the Fighter Stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in June 1978. In 1985, he carried out the All-Purpose Flying Instructors Course (APFIC) and then attained the highest-Flying Instructor's Category ‘A’ in 1987. He completed M. Sc. in Defence Studies from Madras University and attended a Defence Services Staff College Course in 1990–91. He has an illustrious career with the IAF and has served at various ranks. He served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South-Western Air Command before taking over as the Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) in May 2015. He served as the 25th Chief of the IAF from January 1, 2017, to September 30, 2019, and led the IAF when it executed air strikes over a terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019. He has been awarded with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2015, Yudh Seva Medal 1999 and Vayu Sena Medal in 1999. Amongst various other achievements, the fighter squadron he commanded was the most decorated unit of the IAF during the Kargil conflict, due to his excellent leadership. He is currently an Independent Director on the Board of Hero MotoCorp Limited from October 2020.