Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra (retd) has become the first CEO of Ram Mandir Trust. His name has been officially announced after the meeting of Ram Mandir Trust today. Announcing his name, Krishna Mohan, interim general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said, 'Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra (retd) will be the CEO of the trust. He is a resident of Bhopatpura of Deoria in Ayodhya. He comes from the middle class and the Air Force played an important role during Operation Sindoor and he was the Commander-in-Chief during that operation. A photo of Jitendra Mishra with PM Modi is also going viral on social media.
Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra has been one of the most experienced officers of the Indian Air Force. He joined the Air Force as a fighter pilot on 6 December 1986 and served for nearly four decades. He held important positions like Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron, Chief Test Pilot, Air Officer Commanding of two frontline airbases and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defense Staff. On 1 January 2025, he was made the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command.
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Played important role in Operation Sindoor
Jitendra Mishra was the chief of the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. During Operation Sindoor he led and conducted the air operations under this command. His responsibilities included planning of operations, coordination between different air units and ensuring the security of Indian airspace against aerial threats from Pakistan.
He was also awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025 for his role in Operation Sindoor. Jitendra Mishra retired from the Indian Air Force on 30 April 2026. He took retirement after serving for about 38 years and 4 months. In 2024, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
Story of meeting PM Modi
Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra was the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor. On 13 May 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to Adampur Airbase in Punjab immediately after Operation Sindoor. Modi met the air warriors and soldiers deployed there, took information about the preparations and actions of Operation Sindoor and encouraged them.
Being the Commander-in-Chief, Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra had come to receive PM Modi. During this, he met the PM and stayed with PM Modi for several hours. Gave him information about military preparations and told him about the operation. A picture taken during this period is also going viral on social media.
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What did you talk to the PM about?
Regarding meeting PM Modi, Jitendra Mishra said in an interview, 'I asked him if I can travel with him in his car. He said yes, I was lucky that I stayed with him for the next one and a half hour. He told that we briefed him at the Air Force station. After this he went near the S 400 and the photo of the PM was also taken with it. Which was later released to refute the false claims of Pakistan. Jitendra Mishra retired sometime after Operation Sindoor and now he has got a big responsibility as the first CEO of Ram Mandir.