Harjit Singh Arora

{{Infobox Officeholder

|honorific_prefix = Air Marshal

|name = Harjit Singh Arora

|honorific_suffix = PVSM, AVSM, ADC

|image = Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora AVSM ADC assumes charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff (1) (cropped).jpg

|image_upright =

|alt =

|caption = Arora in 2019

|native_name =

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|office = 44th Vice Chief of the Air Staff

|term_start = 1 October 2019

|term_end = 30 June 2021

|predecessor = Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria

|successor = Vivek Ram Chaudhari

|birth_date = {{birth date|1961|06|25|df=y}}

|birth_place =

|death_date = {{death date and age|2023|01|21|1961|06|25|df=y}}

|death_place = New Delhi, India

|allegiance = {{IND}}

|branch = {{air force|India}}

|serviceyears = December 1981– June 2021

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|rank = 30px Air Marshal

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|military_blank1 = Service number

|military_data1 = 16557

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|commands = Vice Chief of the Air Staff
South Western Air Command
Director General Air Operations
Director General of Inspection and Safety

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|military_blank2 = Awards

|military_data2 = 20px Param Vishisht Seva Medal
20px Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

|memorials =

|spouse = Baljeet Arora

|children = 2 sons

|relations =

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Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora PVSM, AVSM, ADC (25 June 1961 – 21 January 2023) was an officer of the Indian Air Force and served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff from 1 October 2019 to 30 June 2021. He was succeeded by Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari.{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1731870|title=AIR MARSHAL VIVEK RAM CHAUDHARI PVSM AVSM VM ASSUMES CHARGE AS VICE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF|publisher=PIB|date=1 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://bharatshakti.in/air-force-change-of-guard-at-critical-posts/|title=Rapid Turnover in IAF Brass|publisher=Bharat Shakti|date=29 May 2021}}{{cite tweet|user=IAF_MCC|number=1178935291228241920|title=Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora, took over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff today. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of IAF in Dec 1981. He has a vast experience in operational flying on modern and legacy fighters in the IAF inventory.|date=1 October 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/Printrelease.aspx?relid=193545|title=Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora AVSM ADC assumes charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff|date=1 October 2019}}

Early life and education

Arora was an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He graduated from the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment in Gwalior. He also had an M. Phil. in defence and strategic studies.

Career

Arora was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force in December 1981. He had flying experience of over 2600 hours on Mig-21, Mig-29, and also helicopters.

Arora has commanded a Mig-21 squadron and then Air Defence Direction Center as a Group Captain in the southwestern sector. He has also commanded 45 Squadron as a wing commander. He has held other posts including air officer commanding of the Adampur Air Force Station, air defence commander at Western Air Command Headquarters, air defence commander at Eastern Air Command Headquarters, directing staff at Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment and as a flying inspector in the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection. He also served as a defence attaché at the Indian embassy at Bangkok from 2006 to 2009.{{cite press release|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=149241|title=Air Marshal HS Arora AVSM Takes Over as Director General Air (Operations)|date=26 August 2016|accessdate=2 October 2018}}

Arora served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC in C), South Western Air Command from 30 September 2018 after superannuation of Air Marshal Ravinder Kumar Dhir, to 30 September 2019. He was succeeded by Air Marshal Surendra Kumar Ghotia.{{cite press release|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183887|title=Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora AVSM takes over Command as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Air Command |date=2 October 2018|accessdate=2 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/india/air-marshal-arora-is-south-western-commander-in-chief.html|title=Air Marshal Arora is South-Western Commander-in-Chief|date=1 October 2018}}{{cite tweet|user=DefencePRO_Guj|number=1178710177488310272|title=Air Marshal HS Arora Ati Vishist Seva Medal ADC, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, handed over command of #SouthWesternAirCommand today. He proceeds to Air HQ to take over as Vice Chief of Air Staff from 01 Oct 19.|date=30 September 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://connectgujarat.com/air-marshal-hs-arora-hands-over-command-of-hq-swac-to-take-over-as-vice-chief/?platform=hootsuite|title=Air Marshal HS Arora hands over command of HQ SWAC to take over as Vice Chief|date=30 September 2019}}

Arora was appointed the Vice Chief of Air Staff on 28 September 2019 following elevation of Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhaduria as Chief of Air Staff.{{Cite web|url=https://www-timesnownews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.timesnownews.com/amp/india/article/air-marshal-hs-arora-appointed-as-iaf-vice-chief/496400?usqp=mq331AQCKAE=&_js_v=0.1|title=Air Marshal HS Arora appointed as IAF Vice Chief {{!}} India News|website=www-timesnownews-com.cdn.ampproject.org|access-date=28 September 2019}}

Later life and death

Arora superannuated on 30 June 2021 after 39 years of service. Arora died on 21 January 2023, at the age of 61.[https://www.jagran.com/news/national-former-air-force-chief-air-marshal-harjit-singh-arora-passes-away-last-rites-to-be-held-at-brar-square-23304559.html पूर्व वायु सेना प्रमुख एयर मार्शल हरजीत सिंह अरोड़ा का निधन, बरार स्क्वायर में होगा अंतिम संस्कार] {{in lang|hi}}

Honours and decorations

In his career of over 38 years, Arora was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in January 2011 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in January 2020.{{cite press release|url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=69354|title=440 Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations Announced|date=25 January 2011|accessdate=2 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197643|title=Distinguished Service and Gallantry Awards to IAF Personnel on Republic Day - 2020|date=25 January 2020}}

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|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

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style="text-align:center;"| Param Vishisht Seva Medal

|style="text-align:center;"| Ati Vishisht Seva Medal