The Strategic Forces Command, mandated with overseeing the country’s nuclear arsenal and delivery operations, will now be headed by Air Marshal Avinash Joshi, the third officer to head it since its inception in January 2003. Joshi, currently the commander of the IAF Eastern Air Command in Shillong, replaces Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani, who takes over as Vice-Chief of the IAF on August 22.Air Marshal Joshi was commissioned into the IAF fighter stream in 1967, and awarded the flying trophy for being the first in flying in two of the three stages, including the one at the time of being commissioned. Joshi took active part in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and was awarded a Mention-in-Despatches. He was also in the Operation Meghdoot.
