New Delhi. Air Marshal SB Deo took over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) at Air HQ in New Delhi January 2.
He also paid homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate before taking over. On his arrival at the Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), the Air Marshal was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour.
Air Marshal Deo was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on June 15, 1979. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He is a FCL (Fighter Combat Leader) and a “Cat A” Qualified Flying Instructor with over 3800 hours of operational and training flying. He was also Directing Staff at TACDE.
The Air Marshal has been AOC of a major fighter base. He commanded a MiG-21 BISON Squadron and a Signal Unit besides being the Chief Ops Officer of a forward base.
As Station Commander of the Signal Unit, he was actively involved in the induction of modern assets and sensors in the IAF. Prior to taking over as VCAS, he was the AOC-in-C of Western Air Command (WAC), AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command (EAC), DG Air (Ops), AOC COBRA Group, AD Commander & Air I at HQ CAC and has held various staff appointments and worked in Ops/Plans Directorates at Air HQ (VB).
He is a recipient of Presidential awards of Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayusena Medal (VM), Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) and ADC.
He is married to Mrs Anjana Deo, and they have a son who is a fighter pilot in the IAF. Air Marshal Deo is an avid reader and interested in creative writing and technology.
