The Indian Air Force (IAF) ushered in the new year with a significant leadership change at its South Western Air Command (SWAC). Air Marshal Tejinder Singh officially took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) from Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor in a formal ceremony held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
A Command That Shapes IAF's Top Brass
This appointment underscores the strategic importance of SWAC, which has emerged as a critical stepping stone for the IAF's highest echelons. The outgoing commander, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, has been elevated to the position of the 50th Vice Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters. Remarkably, Kapoor is the second consecutive SWAC chief to be appointed as Vice Chief, following his immediate predecessor, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, who served as the 49th VCAS.
This trend highlights a notable pattern over the last ten years. A total of five officers who commanded SWAC have risen to become Vice Chief of Air Staff. One of them, Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, later ascended to become the 22nd Chief of Air Staff and also chaired the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Other notable names include Air Marshal Sandeep Singh (46th VCAS) and Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora (44th VCAS).
Profile of the New SWAC Commander
So, who is the new senior-most military commander stationed in Gujarat? Air Marshal Tejinder Singh is a seasoned fighter pilot with a distinguished career spanning over three decades. Commissioned into the IAF's fighter stream on June 13, 1987, he is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy.
His operational expertise is backed by over 4,500 hours of flying experience and a 'Category A' Qualified Flying Instructor rating. His career path reflects a balance of critical command and staff appointments. He has previously commanded a Fighter Squadron, a Radar Station, and a premier Fighter Base. He also served as the Air Officer Commanding for Jammu and Kashmir.
Before taking the helm at SWAC, he was the AOC-in-C of the IAF's Training Command. His staff tenures include key roles such as Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Operations (Strategy and Offensive), Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command, and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air Headquarters. His service has been recognized with the Vayu Sena Medal in 2007 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.
Strategic Significance and Recent Honors
The AOC-in-C of SWAC holds a three-star rank, making him the senior-most military commander in Gujarat, where the Army and Navy are headed by two-star officers. The command's strategic focus was recently highlighted by the achievements of its former chiefs. Both Air Marshal Kapoor and Air Marshal Tiwari were honoured with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM) by President Droupadi Murmu on August 15, 2025, for their role in the success of Operation Sindoor.
The seamless transition of leadership from Kapoor to Tejinder Singh ensures continuity in the command's operational readiness. It also reinforces the tradition of SWAC nurturing leaders who go on to shape the future of the Indian Air Force at the national level.
