Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command on 1 November, the Ministry of Defence said.
Deswal was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 14 June 1989 and has more than 3,200 hours of flying experience on a number of fighter aircraft. He is a specialist in strike aircraft and air-defence roles and a qualified Pilot Attack Instructor. He studied at the National Defence Academy and the National Defence College.
His career so far
He has held several field and staff appointments, including Air Officer Commanding of two flying bases and Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron. He was earlier posted at the Indian Embassy in Pakistan as Air Attaché, and has served as Director General (Weapon Systems) at Air Headquarters.
Before taking over Eastern Air Command, he was Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters South Western Air Command.
Honours
For distinguished service, Deswal has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vayu Sena Medal.
Photos
Source: official release by the Ministry of Defence, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (01 NOV 2026 6:40PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: AIR MARSHAL MEHTAB SINGH DESWAL AVSM, VM TAKES OVER AS AIR OFFICER COMMANDING-IN-CHIEF EASTERN AIR COMMAND.
How we verified this
VerifiedEvery fact, figure and quotation is taken from the official PIB release (Release ID 2331268) issued by the Ministry of Defence on 01 NOV 2026 6:40PM by PIB Delhi; checked against the source on publication. Story written by BDT from that release; no outside facts added.
Sources
- 1.AIR MARSHAL MEHTAB SINGH DESWAL AVSM, VM TAKES OVER AS AIR OFFICER COMMANDING-IN-CHIEF EASTERN AIR COMMAND — Press Information Bureau, Government of India
