Defence News India: Air Marshal RJ Duckworth Monday assumed charge as Senior Air Staff officer of Western Air Command that is responsible for guarding Indian skies on Pakistan border.
Air Marshal Duckworth was commissioned in the fighter stream of Indian Air Force in 1983 and he has more than 3,000 hours of flying experience on both fighter and trainer aircrafts.
An alumnus of National Defence Academy , he was commissioned In the fighter stream of IAF on 28th may 1983 . He has over 3000 hours of experience on various fighter and trainer aircraft and is a Qualified Flying Instructor . He is also an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College Wellington and the National Defence College.
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During his career, he held a number of significant field and staff appointments which include command of frontline MiG-21 Squadron, Chief Operation Officer and Station Commander of a premier fighter base, Director Strategic Operations in SFC , Air-I at Eastern Air Command , Deputy Commandant College of Air Warfare and Principal Director Operations (Air Defence Weapon systems) at Indian Air Force Headquarters in New Delhi.
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As an Air Vice Marshal, he has tenanted appointments of Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (technical Intelligence) at HQ IDS, Air Officer Commanding Advance HQ Central Air Command and Air Defence Commander, Southern Air Command. Prior to taking over as Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command, he held the appointment of Senior Air Staff officer Central Air Command .
In recognition of his distinguished service, he was awarded ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ by the President of India in 2008.
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