Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, a decorated officer with over 37 years of service, has officially assumed the role of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command as of September 1, 2024.
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on December 6, 1986, Dixit has built a distinguished career. He is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor with over 3,300 hours of flying experience on various aircraft in the IAF’s inventory. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College in Bangladesh, and National Defence College.
Throughout his career, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has played a key role in numerous operations and exercises, including Op-Safed Sagar and Op-Rakshak. His leadership skills were evident when he re-equipped an IAF squadron with the advanced Mirage aircraft during his tenure as Commanding Officer. Moreover, he commanded both a front-line fighter air base in the Western Sector and a premier fighter training base in the Southern Sector.
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In addition to his field appointments, Dixit has held several critical staff roles. He served as a Directing Staff at the Air Force Test Pilots School and as Principal Director Air Staff Requirement at Air Headquarters. Prior to his current appointment, he served as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, where he spearheaded numerous groundbreaking projects aimed at modernizing the IAF with a strong focus on ‘Atmanirbharata’ or self-reliance.
As he takes command of the Central Air Command, Air Marshal Dixit has emphasized that operational readiness will be his top priority. He is committed to ensuring that the IAF continues to achieve its strategic goals effectively and efficiently under his leadership.