Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC was born on 04 Sep 1962 and commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on 29 Dec 1982. He is an alumni of the National Defence Academy. The Air Officer has flown various aircraft and is experienced on MiG-21, MiG-23MF and MiG-29 and has flown over 3800 hrs and he was a member of the first aerobatic team on Kirans. He is a Cat A Qualified Flying Instructor, Graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner. The Air Chief Marshal has a rich experience of operational flying, having undertaken numerous Air Defence missions during Op-Meghdoot and Op-Safed Sagar.
During his illustrious career, he has held a number of significant field and staff appointments. He has been an Air Force Examiner on several types of fighter and trainer aircraft. He commanded a MiG-29 Squadron and served as the Chief Operations Officer and base commander of frontline bases in Western and South Western Air Commands. He has the unique distinction of being an Instructor at Defence Service Staff College, Wellington as well as Defence Services Command and Staff College at Zambia. The Air Chief Marshal has been instrumental in enhancing operational capability as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and as Senior Air Staff Officer Eastern Air Command, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command and the Vice Chief of the Air Staff; prior to taking over as the Chief of Air Staff on 30 Sep 21.
In recognition for his meritorious services of an exceptionally high order, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in Jan 2004, Ati Vishist Seva Medal in Jan 15 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 21. He was appointed as honorary ADC to the President of India on 01 Jul 2021.
The Air Chief Marshal is married to Mrs. Neeta Chaudhari and they are blessed with two sons.