From Cockpit To Sanctum: Who Is Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra? The First CEO Of Ram Temple Trust

Ayodhya , 2 Sep  : Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd), a highly decorated former Indian Air Force officer, has been named the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.

He was picked for the post on Wednesday after a nationwide selection process that drew more than 5,000 applicants, as the temple complex moves into a critical phase of construction and management.

Mishra’s most recent honour was the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, conferred on Independence Day 2025 for his contribution during Operation Sindoor.

He had previously been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013.

A Career Spanning Four Decades

Mishra was commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream on December 6, 1986. He trained at the National Defence Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Air Force Test Pilots School.

He later attended the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London

Over more than 38 years of service, the Air Marshal logged upwards of 3,000 flying hours across 18-plus aircraft types, including fighters, transport planes and helicopters.

His operational career included commanding a fighter squadron, serving as chief test pilot at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, and leading two frontline air bases.

He was closely involved in bringing laser-guided bombs into service on Mirage 2000 jets during the Kargil War. The weapons were later deployed against key targets such as Tiger Hill and Muntho Dhalo in Operation Safed Sagar.

Rising Through The Ranks

Mishra went on to hold several senior posts, including Director of the Operational Planning and Assessment Group at Air Headquarters, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects), Commandant of ASTE, and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for both Doctrine, Organisation and Training, and later Operations.

On January 1, 2025, he took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command, succeeding Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha, a post he held until his retirement.

His appointment marks a shift from military command to civilian institutional leadership at one of India’s most significant religious sites.