Manavendra Singh

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific_prefix = Air Marshal

| name = Manavendra Singh

| honorific_suffix = PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM, ADC

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| image = File:Air Marshal Manavendra Singh took over as AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_date =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| placeofburial =

| placeofburial_label =

| placeofburial_coordinates =

| nickname =

| birth_place =

| allegiance = {{Country|India}}

| branch = {{Air force|India}}

| serviceyears = 29 December 1982 – 31 December 2022

| rank = 24px Air Marshal

| military_blank1 = Service number

| military_data1 = 16983{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/16983|title=Air Marshal Manavendra Singh|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=3 February 2021}}

| unit = No. 115 Helicopter Unit

| commands = Training Command

Southern Air Command

| battles =

| battles_label =

| awards = Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vir Chakra
Vishisht Seva Medal

| spouse =

| relations =

| laterwork =

| signature =

| website =

| other_name =

| memorials =

| signature_size =

| signature_alt =

| module =

}}

Air Marshal Manavendra Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM, ADC is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force. He served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Training Command. He assumed the office on 25 September 2021 succeeding Air Marshal Rajiv Dayal Mathur.{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/feb/02/air-marshal-manavendra-singh-takes-charge-as-chief-of-iafs-southern-command-2258698.html|title=Air Marshal Manavendra Singh takes charge as chief of IAF's Southern Command|publisher=New Indian Express|date=2 February 2021}} Previously, he served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command.{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-marshal-manavendra-singh-takes-charge-as-chief-of-indian-air-forces-southern-command-2362146|title=Air Marshal Manavendra Singh Takes Charge As Chief Of Indian Air Force's Southern Command|publisher=NDTV|date=2021-02-03}}

Early life and education

Manavendra Singh is an alumnus of National Defence Academy. He is also a graduate of Army War College, Defence Services Staff College and Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia.{{cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/air-marshal-manavendra-singh-takes-over-as-air-officer-commanding-in-chief-of-southern-air-command20210203230454/|title=Air Marshal Manavendra Singh takes over as Air Officer Commanding-in-chief of Southern Air Command|publisher=ANI|date=3 February 2021}}

Career

Manavendra Singh was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a helicopter pilot on 29 December 1982. In a career spanning over 38 years, he has as over 6,600 hours of flying experience and has a service experience in various sectors like the Siachen, the North East, Uttarakhand, the Western desert.

He has commanded front line bases in Bukavu, DRC during peacekeeping mission.

Prior to his appointment as AOC-in-C, Southern Air command, he served as Director General of Inspection and Flight Safety.{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/air-marshal-manavendra-singh-appointed-chief-of-southern-air-command-207338|title=Air Marshal Manavendra Singh appointed chief of Southern Air Command|work=The Tribune|date=3 February 2021}}

In December 2021, he was appointed as the head of the Tri-Services Inquiry to investigate the reason of Coonoor Mi-17 Crash which claimed the life of 14 including CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat and his Wife.{{Cite magazine|date=9 December 2021 |title=Air Marshal Manvendra Singh to head tri-service inquiry into IAF chopper crash: Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/air-marshal-manvendra-singh-tri-service-inquiry-iaf-chopper-crash-bipin-rawat-rajnath-lok-sabha-1885829-2021-12-09|access-date=2021-12-15|magazine=India Today|language=en}}

He superannuated on 31 December 2022 after 40 years of service and was succeeded by Air Marshal Jonnalagedda Chalapati as the AOC-in-C, Training Command.{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/air-marshal-radhakrishnan-radhish-takes-over-iaf-training-command/1293107/ |title=Air Marshal Jonnalagedda Chalapati takes over IAF Southern Air Command|publisher=The Print|date=2023-01-01}}

Honours and decorations

During his career, Manavendra Singh has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vir Chakra, Vishisht Seva Medal for his service. He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.{{cite tweet|number=1356247475137310725|user=DefencePROTvm|date=1 February 2021|title=Air Marshal Manavendra Singh, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vir Chakra, Vishisht Seva Medal took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Southern Air Command (SAC), Aakkulam, Tvm}}{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1792624|title=President approves 384 Gallantry Awards and other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day|publisher=PIB|date=2022-01-25}}

style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"

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

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

|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Vir Chakra ribbon bar.svg|width=106}}

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

class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"

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

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

|style="text-align:center;"|Vir Chakra Medal

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