Rajesh Kumar (air marshal)


Rajesh Kumar, AVSM, VM, ADC is an officer in the Indian Air Force. He is currently the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command. He assumed office on 1 January 2019 following the retirement of Air Marshal Shyam Bihari Prasad Sinha.

Early life and education

Kumar is an alumnus of Mayo College, Ajmer and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. He is a graduate from Air Command and Staff College at Montgomery, Alabama. He has also undergone the Higher Defence Management Course at the College of Defence Management at Secunderabad.

Career

Kumar was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 4 June 1982. He has commanded a fighter aircraft squadron and a front-line air base. He is a category A flying instructor, instrument rating instructor and an air crew examiner. His other appointments include team leader of project monitoring team for AWACS project in Israel, director of the Indian Air Force project management team at Aeronautical Development Agency, Bangalore and Senior Air Staff Officer of Eastern Air Command, Shillong.

Awards and medals

During 36 years of his career, Kumar has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry in operation parakram.

Personal life

Rajesh Kumar is married to Jaya Kumar. They have 2 sons.