Overview
- Walia assumed charge on February 1, 2026, succeeding Air Marshal Surat Singh, who retired on January 31 after 39 years of service.
- Commissioned in June 1988, he is qualified on MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30MKI aircraft, with over 3,200 hours of accident-free flying.
- His commands include a MiG-27 squadron, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment and a frontline air base, alongside senior staff roles at Air Headquarters and Western Air Command.
- He has served as Defence Attaché in Japan and South Korea and has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (2008) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2018).
- Headquartered in Shillong, the Eastern Air Command oversees operations across the eastern sector, including Rafale and Su-30MKI units, as Air Marshal Devendra P. Hirani concurrently takes over as Senior Air Staff Officer.