Rajiv Dayal Mathur Explained

Air Marshal Rajiv Dayal Mathur, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC is a former officer in the Indian Air Force. He was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Training Command. He assumed the office on 1 October 2020 succeeding Air Marshal Arvindra Singh Butola.^[1] He served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Eastern Air Command from 1 March 2019 to 30 September 2020. He superannuated on 31 July 2021.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Early life and education

Mathur did his schooling from St Joseph's Academy, Dehradun. He joined National Defence Academy in 1978. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He also holds M.Sc and M Phil degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University.^{[4] [5]}

Career

Mathur was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 4 June 1982. He is a qualified flight instructor and has flying experience of over 5000 hours on a variety of fighter aircraft and helicopters.^[6]

He has commanded a fighter aircraft squadron and a front-line air base. He has held various other appointments including Principal Director of information and electronics warfare, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (space) at air headquarters New Delhi, and air defence commander at headquarters Eastern Air Command. He has also been in-charge of air force's Air Warfare Strategy Cell as well as space, cyber, air traffic services and media and public relations directorate.^{[5] [7]} He took over the position of Senior Air Staff Officer, South Western Air Command in August 2018.^[6]

Honours and decorations

During his career, Mathur has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2003, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2014, and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in 2021 for his service.^{[8] [9]}

Param Vishisht Seva Medal

Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

Vishisht Seva Medal

Personal life

Air Marshal Mathur is married to Shipra Mathur who is the president of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional).^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Indian Air Force to see major reshuffle at top level on October 1. New Indian Express. 29 September 2020.
2. Web site: Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran. Bharat Rakshak. 2021-08-01.
3. Web site: Rapid Turnover in IAF Brass. Bharat Shakti. 2021-05-29.
4. Web site: Rajiv Dayal Mathur takes over as Air Chief, Eastern Air Command. 2019-03-01. 2019-03-03.
5. Web site: AIR VICE MARSHAL RD MATHUR PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF AIR MARSHAL. 2016-02-14. 2019-03-03.
6. Web site: Air Marshal Rajiv Dayal Mathur takes over as SWAC Sr Staff Officer. 2018-08-29. 2019-03-03.
7. Web site: Air Marshal Rajiv Dayal Mathur takes over as the Senior Air Staff Officer of SWAC. 2019-03-02. 2019-03-03.
8. Web site: 368 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced. 2014-01-25. 2019-03-03. Press Information Bureau, Government of India.
9. Web site: Distinguished Service and Gallantry Awards to IAF Personnel on Republic Day - 2020. 2020-01-25.
10. Web site: Air Marshal RD Mathur takes over as Aoc-In-C of EAC. 2019-03-01. 2019-03-03.