New Delhi: The government September 21 evening announced the next Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal V R Chaudhari, who was commissioned into the Fighter stream of Indian Air Force on December 29, 1982 and has held various Command, Staff and Instructional Appointments at various levels including the present one as Vice Chief of Air Staff.

Air Marshal Chaudhari who takes over from  Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria on September 30 will be the 27th Air Chief of the world’s fourth largest Air Force.

He is currently the Vice Chief of Air Staff in the Indian Air Force.

Air Marshal Chaudhari was commissioned into the fighter stream  and has held various command, staff and instructional appointments at various levels, an official release said.

During his service, he has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vayu Sena Medal.

Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria will retire exactly two years after his appointment to the top post on September 30, 2019.

Air Marshal Chaudhari has a flying experience of more than 3,800 hours and has been an expert in MiG-29 aircraft. He has also served as chief of the Western Air Command.