Pradeep Vasant Naik

Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik, PVSM, VSM served as the 22nd Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. He took office on 31 May 2009 following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major and was succeeded in office by Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne.[1]

Air Chief Marshal

P V Naik

PVSM, VSM
Born (1949-07-22) 22 July 1949
Nagpur, Maharashtra
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Air Force
Years of service21 June 1969 – 2012
Rank Air Chief Marshal
Commands heldCentral Air Command
AFS Bidar
26 Squadron
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1971
Awards
Other workHonorary Aides-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India

Career

Naik was born on 22 July 1949 at Nagpur, Maharashtra and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 21 June 1969 as a fighter pilot. He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Satara and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla in Maharashtra. During his 42 years of service, he has served in a variety of command staff and instructional appointments.

Naik has over 3,000 hrs of flying on his log. He also took part in air actions during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the Eastern and Western sectors. Before taking over as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Vice Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. Naik has also served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Allahabad-based, Central Air Command.

Besides being a fellow of the National Defence College, New Delhi, Naik is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. He has served as Directing staff at DSSC Wellington, India and at Tactics & Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE).

Personal life

Naik and his wife Madhubala have two sons; the elder was a fighter pilot with the Indian Air Force and later transferred to the transport stream, and the younger, a Chief Officer in the Merchant Navy.

Awards
Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal
Samanya Seva Medal
Poorvi Star Medal
Paschimi Star Medal
Special Service Medal
Sangram Medal
Operation Parakram Medal
Sainya Seva Medal
50th Anniversary Independence Medal
25th Anniversary Independence Medal
30 Years Long Service Medal
20 Years Long Service Medal
9 Years Long Service Medal

References
  1. "Pradeep Vasant Naik". Pratiyogita Darpan. October 2009. pp. 169–. Retrieved 9 May 2011.

Media related to Pradeep Vasant Naik at Wikimedia Commons

Military offices
Preceded by
Fali Homi Major		 Chief of the Air Staff (India)
31 May 2009 – 31 July 2011		 Succeeded by
Norman Anil Kumar Browne
Preceded by
Deepak Kapoor		 Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
30 March 2010 – 30 July 2011		 Succeeded by
Nirmal Kumar Verma
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