Pradeep Vasant Naik

Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik served as the nineteenth Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. He took office on May 31, 2009, becoming the nineteenth Chief of Air Staff following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major and is succeeded in office by Norman Anil Kumar Browne.

Career
Air Chief Marshal Naik was born on July 22, 1949 at Nagpur,Maharahstra and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 21, 1969 as a fighter pilot. He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Satara and National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla in Maharashtra. During his 40 years of service, he has served in a variety of command staff and instructional appointments. He has over 3,000 hrs of flying on his log. The Air Chief also took part in 1971 war air actions in the Western sector. Before taking over as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Vice Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. He has also served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Allahabad-based, Central Air Command. Besides being a fellow of the National Defence College, New Delhi, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he has attended a variety of courses like Flying Instructor’s Course, Jungle & Snow Survival Course and Junior Commander’s Course.

Awards
Air Chief Marshal Naik is decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). He is also one of the Honorary Aides-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India.

Private life
Air Chief Marshal Naik and his wife Madhubala Naik have two sons; the elder was a fighter pilot with the Indian Air Force and later transferred to the transport stream, and the younger, a Chief Officer in the Indian Merchant Navy.