Air Chief Marshal Shashindra Pal Tyagi, more commonly known as S P Tyagi, is an Indian Air Force officer who served as the 20th Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force and served from 31 December 2004 to 31 March 2007. The Air Chief Marshal has the distinction of having flown several types of fighter and transport aircraft and has logged over 3000 flying hours. His combat experience includes Combat Air Patrols, as well as Strike and interdiction missions during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. In the 1971 War, he flew MiG-21 aircraft on Air Defence missions.
Shashindra Pal Tyagi | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Bundle |
| Born | March 14, 1945 Indore, Madhya Pradesh |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 31 December 1963 – 2007 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands held | Central Air Command South Western Air Command Western Air Command Indian Air Force |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |
He has held a number of important field appointments, which include Commanding Officer of a Jaguar Sqn and the Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Jamnagar. As the Defence Attaché in Saudi Arabia, he had a first-hand view of Operation Desert Storm. He has also held many important staff appointments including Director Air Defence, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Intelligence), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) at Air Headquarters and Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command. He has been the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of three Operational Commands - the Central, South-Western and the Western Air Command. Air Chief Marshal Tyagi took over as the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee on 31 Oct 2006. A Fighter Pilot of proven merit, he is both a qualified Pilot Attack Instructor and Fighter Combat Leader. He has participated in 1965 Indo-Pak Operations flying Hunter aircraft and in the 1971 Indo-Pak Operations flying MiG aircraft. To date, he has to his credit 2800 hours of just fighter flying.
He is fond of outdoors and keeping fit. He holds the distinction of being the first ever to have earned ‘para wings’ as 'Chief'. He is a current and enthusiastic sky-diver. He functions through delegation, is a peoples’ man and a captivating orator. He is the recipient of the Presidential awards of Param Vishist Seva Medal, Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal for his exemplary leadership and distinguished service.
During his tenure, he has displayed unending enthusiasm, dynamism and professional competence in managing both his material and manpower resources. It is a direct reflection on his leadership and the performance of the Sqn that has resulted in the Sqn being adjudged the best Fighter Sqn in Western Air Command for two years running. On the welfare front, he has introduced many novel facilities to ensure that concurrent with the high professional output, the welfare of his personnel is equally covered. Throughout his tenure, Wing Commander Shashindra Pal Tyagi has displayed a very high level of professionalism, dedication and qualities of leadership in true traditions of the Air Force.
External links edit
- [1] Indian Air Force Official
- [2] Achievements Database
- [3] Asia Pacific Leadership Network
- [4] CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE
- [5] Drawing on his unparalleled experience in operating and managing combat air power, Air Chief Marshal Shashindra Pal Tyagi addressed the masses.
- "S P Tyagi is new IAF chief" - Times of India