New Delhi: Air Marshal Tejpal Singh assumed the charge of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday, said an official of the Ministry of Defence.

On the occasion, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the brave souls who laid down their lives in the service of the nation, said the official in a statement.

Commissioned on June 16, 1990, as a fighter pilot, Air Marshal Tejpal Singh has over 3,500 hours of flying experience. He is a Category A Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot, said the statement.

The Air Marshal has held key operational, command and staff appointments in the Indian Air Force.

In recognition of his distinguished service, the Air Marshal was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in January 2011 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in January 2021 by the President of India, said the statement.

Air Marshal Tejpal Singh takes over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, who superannuated on July 31after 39 years of glorious and distinguished service to the nation.

In another development, Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, who was involved in operational readiness of the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor, assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on Saturday.

He succeeded Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, a recipient of Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), who superannuated from service on Friday, the official said.

An alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course at the Naval Academy in Goa, Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, AVSM and Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) recipient, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990, an official of the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The Flag Officer is a CAT 'A' Sea King Air Operations Officer and a Communication and Electronic Warfare Specialist. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington, and the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College in Goa, the statement said.