Nirmal Chandra Suri

Nirmal Chandra Suri PVSM AVSM VM ADC (born 26 July 1933) went on to become the Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force on 1 August 1991. He is an alumnus of the famous Royal Indian Military College, Dehradun. He was a part of the First course of the Joint Services Wing, the present-day National Defence Academy, Pune. During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Suri was selected to lead the detachment from No.20 Hawker Hunter Squadron and he flew several sorties during the war. In 1969, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for his contributions and devotion to service.

During the 1971 War, Suri had to take over the Number 7 Hunter Squadron and he flew several sorties during this war as well. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal or AVSM in 1982. He became the Chief of Air Staff on 1 August 1991 and was instrumental in various initiatives – including the induction of women officers in the IAF first as ground duty officers and later as pilots. He has always been a passionate flyer and he is not known to have passed on any opportunity to fly. Air Chief Marshal N.C. Suri, PVSM, AVSM and VM, retired from service on 31 July 1993 and was succeeded by S. K. Kaul.