Air Chief Marshal AP Singh superannuates after 42 years of service, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) bidding farewell to its 28th Chief of the Air Staff in New Delhi on Saturday.

He held the top post for 25 months, from September 30, 2024, and led the force through Operation Sindoor. His career began in the cockpit of a Kiran trainer in 1984. His flying ended in the same aircraft, with the same instructor beside him.

Last day began at the National War Memorial

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh began the day at the National War Memorial, laying a wreath for those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

In the memorial's visitor's book, he left a handwritten message. "As my journey in uniform draws to a close, I bow my head in solemn remembrance of the brave men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our motherland," he wrote.

He added that he remained deeply conscious of the debt owed to these heroes and their families, and signed off with "Jai Hind".

He then inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Force Station, New Delhi.

IAF credits outgoing chief with Operation Sindoor leadership

In a statement on his superannuation, the IAF said his tenure was marked by decisive leadership and a steady focus on operational readiness. It singled out Operation Sindoor, saying the force showed its combat capability, precision and resolve during the operation.

"His leadership reinforced the IAF's ability to respond decisively across the full spectrum of operations," the statement said.

The force also pointed to his personal connect with air warriors at every level. According to the IAF, he regularly met young officers, airmen and cadets, and stressed professionalism, accountability, initiative and pride in service. It said he worked for a technologically empowered and future-ready force, with emphasis on indigenisation, innovation and new technologies. The IAF wished him and his wife, Sarita Singh, the very best for the years ahead.

A week of farewells

Saturday's ceremonies closed a week of send-offs. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hosted a farewell for him earlier in the week and acknowledged his key role in the successful execution of Operation Sindoor and in strengthening the capabilities of the IAF, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Senior Air Force commanders hosted a farewell dinner at the Akash Officers' Mess near India Gate. On Friday, he and Sarita Singh called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh superannuates after flying from Kiran to Tejas

On October 20, he flew a 55-minute sortie in an HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, near Hyderabad. In the cockpit with him was his first flying instructor, Wing Commander VS Kochar (retd), now 73.

The two had first flown together at the academy on January 28, 1984. He received a water cannon salute on landing. "I just wanted the circle to be complete," he told reporters.

Eight days earlier, on October 12, he flew his last fighter sortie in an indigenous Tejas at Jodhpur during the multinational exercise Tarang Shakti 2026.

Career spanned test flying, command and Air Headquarters

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 21, 1984, after passing out of the Air Force Academy with the Sword of Honour. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh superannuates as a Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot with more than 5,000 hours of flying on fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

As Commanding Officer, he re-equipped No. 9 Squadron with the Mirage-2000. He later commanded a frontline fighter base in the Western Sector and a fighter training base in the Southern Sector. As a test pilot, he led the MiG-29 Upgrade Project Management Team in Moscow. He also served as Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre, where he was tasked with flight testing the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.

At Air Headquarters, he served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects) and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans). He was Senior Air Staff Officer of Eastern Air Command and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command at Prayagraj. He became Vice Chief of the Air Staff in February 2023.

He holds the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff until Saturday, took charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff the same day. He is due to receive his own Guard of Honour at the same parade ground on Sunday.