Dilbagh Singh

Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VM (10 March 1926 – 9 February 2001) was the head of the Indian Air Force from 1981 to 1984, as Chief of the Air Staff. He was the second Sikh to hold that position.

Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh PVSM, AVSM, VM
12th Indian Ambassador to Brazil
In office August 1985 – August 1987
Appointed by	President of India (then, Zail Singh)
Preceded by	S.S. Nath
Succeeded by	A.R. Kakodar
25th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
In office 31 July 1983 – 3 September 1984
President	Zail Singh
Prime Minister	Indira Gandhi
Preceded by	K. V. Krishna Rao
Succeeded by	Oscar Stanley Dawson
11th Chief of the Air Staff (India)
In office 1 September 1981 – 3 September 1984
President	Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Zail Singh
Prime Minister	Indira Gandhi
Preceded by	Idris Hasan Latif
Succeeded by	Lakshman Madhav Katre
Personal details
Born	10 March 1926 Rahon, Jalandhar district, Punjab
Died	9 February 2001 (aged 74) Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Military service
Allegiance	British India (1945–1947)  India (from 1947)
Branch/service	Royal Indian Air Force (1945–1947)  Indian Air Force (1947–1984)
Years of service	1945-1984
Rank	Air Chief Marshal
Unit	No. 1 Squadron
Commands	Eastern Air Command Ambala Air Force Station 28 Squadron[1]
Battles/wars	Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Operation Lal Dora
Award(s)	Param Vishisht Seva Medal  Ati Vishisht Seva Medal  Vayu Sena Medal

Dilbagh Singh was commissioned as a pilot in 1944. His operational flying career spanned the Spitfire to introducing the MiG-21 into service in India. He had earlier made the first official “supersonic bang” over India in New Delhi when the Mystere IV-A was showcased in a public demonstration.

He was India’s ambassador to Brazil from 1985 to 1987. He was a student of pandit Buta Ram of Rahon. His visit to Rahon to visit his teacher when he was Air Marshal is still remembered. He inspired scores of youngsters from Rahon and Nawanshahar region to join defense forces