VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Koderma, July 7: Prestigious Sainik School Tilaiya alumnus Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha took charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel on July 1 making the entire school family to feel proud on this occasion. School authorities said the exceptional achievements and unwavering dedication have been recognised with numerous awards and accolades.
A communique issued by the school today said the Air Marshal was commissioned into IAF’S Fighter stream in June 1984 and has experience of over 2900hrs on fighter aircrafts like Mirage 2000 and MiG21 and is a double awardee from TACDE and DSSC. He has held varied appointments and has been a defence attache in West Africa, Commandant of the College of Air Warfare and Air Officer Commanding Advance Headquarters. The alumnus has also held appointments of Principal Director of Air Staff Inspection, Principal Director Plans DACIDS/ACIDS at HQ IDS and joint secretary (AIR) under the newly established Department of Military of Defence and was deputy chief of the Air staff prior to taking over the present assignment.
As a highly decorated officer of the Indian Air Force, the Air Marshal was awarded a mention in despatches in 1999 for Kargil ops, Ati Vishist Sewa Medal (AVSM) in 2021 and Param Vishist Sewa Medal (PVSM) in 2023.
School officials said the Sainik School Tilaiya fraternity feels immensely proud of the extraordinary achievements of the Air Marshal and imbibing the motto of the school ‘Forward Ever’ in letter and spirit.
