Air Marshal (retd.) Jeetendra Mishra has been named the inaugural full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is responsible for the management of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of a controversy regarding the theft of donations, which emerged just two months prior.
Mishra, who concluded his service in the Indian Air Force in April, possesses nearly 40 years of extensive experience within the military. He played a pivotal role as the commander of the Air Force’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. For his exceptional contributions to this operation, Mishra was one of only seven military personnel to receive the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, a prestigious award acknowledging outstanding operational planning and execution. His career also included responsibilities in various operational, strategic, and testing capacities.
Here are five key points regarding Air Marshal (retd.) Jeetendra Mishra:
1) Nearly 40 Years of Service in the Indian Air Force
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Air Force on December 6, 1986, Mishra is a graduate of the National Defence Academy in Pune, the Air Force Test Pilots School in Bengaluru, the Air Command and Staff College in the USA, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK. Over his impressive military tenure, he amassed over 3,000 flight hours, piloting more than 18 types of fighter and transport aircraft, as well as helicopters, before retiring on April 30, 2026.
2) Leadership of the Western Air Command
On January 1, 2025, Mishra assumed the role of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Western Air Command, a vital operational unit, and held this position until his retirement in April 2026. His previous senior roles included serving as the commanding officer of a fighter squadron, chief test pilot at the Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment in Bengaluru, and air officer commanding at two major air bases. Additionally, he has functioned as the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).
3) Command during Operation Sindoor
During Operation Sindoor, initiated as a military reaction to a severe terror attack in Pahalgam, Mishra was at the helm of the Western Air Command. This operation marked a significant highlight in his military career.
4) Expertise as a Fighter and Test Pilot
Mishra’s career extended beyond leadership roles; he was also a fighter combat leader and an experimental test pilot. Notably, during the Kargil conflict, he was integral in the mission to operationalize laser-guided bombs for Mirage 2000 aircraft, which played a crucial role in various attacks, including those on Tiger Hill and Muntho Dhalo.
5) First Full-Time CEO of the Ram Mandir Trust
Mishra’s recent appointment is noteworthy as he becomes the first full-time CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This decision was made during a meeting held in Ayodhya on September 2, and is intended to ensure focused leadership for the trust’s administrative duties.
