George Thomas

Air Marshal George Thomas, AVSM, VSM is a serving air officer of the Indian Air Force. He is currently serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command. He previously served as the Director General Air Operations, and prior to that he was Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command. He is also the Commodore Commandant of No. 20 Squadron.

Early life and education The Air officer is an alumnus of the 74th Course of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. He is also an alumnus of National Defence College, New Delhi.

Military career He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 14 June 1989 from the Air Force Academy. In a career spanning over three decades, he has over 9000 hours of flying experience including more than 3,600 hours as an instructor across various fighter jets on both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. He has held various command, staff & instructional appointments. The Air Marshal's operational tenures include being the Commanding Officer of No. 20 Squadron. He has served as Chief Test Pilot at Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment and was Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India in Israel.

As an Air Commodore, he served as Air Assistant to the Chief of Air Satff, as the Air Officer Commanding of 14 Wing, Chabua, Assam and as Air Cmde (Opl Plg Assesstment and Strategy) at the Air Headquarters, New Delhi. and as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Plans.

After getting promoted to the rank of Air Marshal on 1 October 2024, he assumed the appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command. and the Vayu Sena Medal in 2010. He has also received commendations from the Chief of Air Staff.

Date of ranks