Who is Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, former fighter pilot appointed first CEO of Ram Mandir Trust?

PTC Web Desk:  Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed as the first chief executive officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the construction and management of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

He brings with him a distinguished career of nearly four decades in the Indian Air Force, including experience as a fighter pilot, test pilot and senior military commander.

His appointment comes at a significant time for the trust, which has been overseeing the development of the Ram temple complex and its expanding administrative responsibilities.

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Who is Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra?

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on December 6, 1986. During his more than 38 years of service, he built extensive experience in fighter operations, testing and strategic planning.

He is a Fighter Combat Leader and Experimental Test Pilot and has logged more than 3,000 hours of flying during his military career.

Mishra is an alumnus of several prestigious defence institutions, including the National Defence Academy in Pune, the Air Force Test Pilots School in Bengaluru, the Air Command and Staff College in the United States and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.

Key positions held during IAF career

Mishra held several important operational and administrative positions during his service in the Air Force. He commanded a fighter squadron and later served as the chief test pilot at the Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). He also served as Air Officer Commanding of two frontline air bases.

At Air Headquarters, he held senior appointments linked to operational planning, assessment and aircraft and systems requirements. His assignments included Director of the Operational Planning and Assessment Group, Principal Director (ASR) and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects).

He subsequently returned to ASTE as its Commandant and went on to serve as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff in areas including Doctrine, Organisation and Training and Operations.

Led Western Air command

One of the most prominent assignments of Mishra's career came in January 2025, when he took charge of the Western Air Command, one of the Indian Air Force's key operational commands. The command has strategic importance because of its responsibility for India's western air sector.

Mishra later led the command during Operation Sindoor, the Indian military operation targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Awards and recognition

Mishra's long military career earned him some of the Indian armed forces' important service decorations. He is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), recognising distinguished service during his career.