Air Marshal Dilip Kumar Patnaik, AVSM, VM is a retired officer in the Indian Air Force. He served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Eastern Air Command. He took over the office on 3 October 2021, succeeding of Air Marshal Amit Dev and superannuated on 30 September, 2022. He was succeeded by Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar.[2][3]
Dilip Kumar Patnaik | |
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 | |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Anuradha Patnaik |
| Awards | AVSM, VM |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch/service |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 8 June 1984 - 30 September 2022[1] |
| Rank |  Air Marshal |
| Commands | Eastern Air Command |
| Battles/wars | Kargil War |
| Service number | 17464[1] |
Early life and education edit
He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy Khadakwasla and Defence Services Staff College, Tamil Nadu and has done the Higher Air Command Course.[4]
Career edit
Dilip Kumar Patnaik was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on June 08, 1984. He has flying experience of 2500 hours various aircraft including Mig-21 and Mirage 2000.[1][5]
Patnaik has served as a mission commander for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Unit and has 800 hours experience as on Searcher MK-II & Heron unmanned aircraft.
He has held various appointments including commander of an Air Defence Station, Commandant of Electronic Warfare Range and as a commander of a front-line fighter base. He had served as the Principal Director (Information & Electronic Warfare) at Air HQ, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), Commandant of the prestigious College of Air Warfare, Telangana.[6][7]
Previous to his present assignment, he had served as Senior Air Staff Officer for the Central Air Command from 1 August 2020 to 2 October 2021.[8][1]
Patnaik has conducted many live bombing missions during Kargil conflict.[2]
Honours and decorations edit
During his career, Dilip Kumar Patnaik has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for his contribution in Kargil War and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020.[1]
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| Ati Vishisht Seva Medal | Vayu Sena Medal |
Personal life edit
Dilip Kumar Patnaik is married to Mrs Anuradha Patnaik who is the President of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional). The couple has a son named Bramhtej Patnaik.[5]
Political Career edit
Patnaik along with former IAS topper Hrusikesh Panda and former Joint Secretary of Rajya Sabha Ramakanta Das joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Odisha ahead of 2024 Indian general election as well as 2024 Odisha Legislative Assembly election.[9] [10] [11]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Air Marshal Dilip Kumar Patnaik - Bharat Rakshak". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
- ^ a b "Air Marshal DK Patnaik takes charge as head of Eastern Air Command". Business Standard. 2021-10-03.
- ^ "SP Dharkar new chief of IAF Eastern Air Command". India Today. 2022-10-01.
- ^ "Odisha Born Air Marshal Dilip Kumar Patnaik Is The New Eastern Air Commander". Odisha TV. 2021-10-02.
- ^ a b "AOC-in-C-EAC". Indian Air Force. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
- ^ "College of Air Warfare gets a new head". The Hindu. 1 October 2019.
- ^ "Air Marshal Dilip Patnaik to head Eastern Air Command". New Indian Express. 2021-10-03.
- ^ "Air Marshal Dilip Kumar Patnaik, takes over as senior Air Staff Officer of Central Air Command". UNI India. 2020-08-01.
- ^ "Former IAS Hrushikesh Panda & Two More Retired Dignitaries Join BJP". odishabhaskar. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "BJD MLA Arabinda Dhali, ex-MLA Mukunda Sodi join BJP in Bhubaneswar". newindianexpress. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "'Convinced That This Is The Only Party...': Kargil War Veteran Dilip Patnaik On Joining BJP". newindianexpress. Retrieved 4 March 2024.