Former Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, who led the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor-2025, has been appointed as the first CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust announced his appointment on Wednesday. He has also been awarded the Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM).
With more than 3,000 hours of flying experience over 39 years of service, Jeetendra Mishra has flown more than 18 types of fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters.
Jeetendra Mishra was honored with the Distinguished Service Medal by President Droupadi Murmu two years ago.
Jeetendra Mishra is a native of Bhopatpura village in Bankata block of Deoria, Uttar Pradesh. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force from the Air Force Academy on December 6, 1986.
He retired on April 30 this year. A devout follower of Lord Ram, Jeetendra Mishra has been given his new responsibility as the Ram Temple CEO just 125 days after his retirement.
His entire family lives in Delhi. His family includes his wife, Sarita Singh, a son and a daughter. Sarita Singh has served as president of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA). His father, Nathuni Mishra, was a professor of commerce at Delhi University.
Jeetendra Mishra’s younger brother, Dr Devendra Mishra, holds an administrative position at a medical college in Delhi, while his sister, Dr Vandana Mishra, is a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Why was Jeetendra Mishra appointed as Ram Temple CEO?
1. He was involved in Operation Sindoor: Jeetendra Mishra was the head of the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor. He was also awarded the Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM) for his role.
2. Uttar Pradesh connection: He is from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh. His UP connection is also being seen as a factor in his appointment as CEO of the Ram Temple Trust. Brahmins account for around 13% of Uttar Pradesh’s population, and Jeetendra Mishra belongs to this community.
3. Air Force experience: He spent nearly 40 years in the Air Force and held several important command positions. His military administrative experience could be considered important for managing the temple’s expanding administration, security, crowd management and large-scale operations.
Jeetendra Mishra, who has received training from major defense institutions in India as well as the United States and Britain, has experience in managing large organizations, leadership, and coordinating among various agencies
How much salary will Jeetendra Mishra receive?
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had clarified the position regarding the CEO’s salary while inviting applications for the post. The notification stated that the salary and allowances of the selected officer would be decided by mutual agreement. The monthly salary would be determined based on the officer’s extensive administrative experience and qualifications.
The officer will be appointed on a three-year contract. During this period, accommodation, an official vehicle, security arrangements and other VIP facilities will be provided directly from the Ram Temple Trust fund.
Three stories of Jeetendra Mishra’s bravery
In a recent podcast with ANI, Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra spoke about how the Indian Air Force targeted Pakistan’s radar and command centres during Operation Sindoor and managed to evade its air defence system.
1. Officer told him, ‘Turn off the lights, the enemy could target you’
During Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra was at the Western Air Command headquarters. Amid the tense wartime situation, a staff officer approached him anxiously and said, “Sir, please turn off the lights in your office. The enemy could track the location of your office and target you directly.”
Jeetendra Mishra responded fearlessly, “I openly challenge them; whoever has the courage can come and target me.” He believed that the Indian Air Force was so well prepared that he could lead the entire operation from his office rather than hiding in a bunker.
2. Only one word for a target 314 km away: ‘Shoot’
During the operation, Indian Air Force radar and missile defence units were on full alert. At one point, air defence crews detected a major enemy target at a very long range.
As soon as Air Marshal Mishra was informed, he gave the control room a brief and firm command in just one word: “Shoot”. The S-400 missile system was fired immediately after his command.
Pakistan’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system and several major ground-based radar systems located around 314 km inside Pakistan from the Indian border were destroyed. It was described as one of the longest-range surface-to-air missile strikes in military history.
3. Pakistan’s air defence system was weakened
According to Mishra, the objective of the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor was not merely to target Pakistani aircraft but also to weaken its surveillance and air defence systems. This left Pakistan “blind and paralysed”.
According to Mishra, Indian fighter aircraft destroyed Pakistan’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system and six major ground-based radar systems within just 15 to 17 minutes. This meant that Pakistan’s air chief and commanders were unaware that Indian jets had struck their military installations and returned safely.
Became a fighter pilot officer on December 6, 1986
Jeetendra had been interested in flying aircraft since childhood. He studied at the National Defence Academy in Pune, the Air Command and Staff College, Air University and the Royal College of Defence Studies.
Jeetendra Mishra was appointed as a fighter pilot officer in the Air Force at Tezpur, Assam, on December 6, 1986. He has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. At the beginning of the Kargil War, he played an important role in a team operating laser-guided bombs on Mirage 2000 aircraft.
Led Indian team for Garuda air exercise in France
In June 2010, he led the Indian Air Force team for the Garuda air exercise in France. He also served as the Chief Operating Officer of a Sukhoi-30 MKI operating base in Pune. He has flown more than 18 types of fighter and transport aircraft and helicopters.
In an interview given in August 2026, he revealed that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistani jets did not venture within 200 km of Indian territory due to the threat posed by the Russian S-400 air defence system. He also said that Pakistan had activated sleeper cells in India to find its location.
More than 3,000 hours of flying experience
He has served as a fighter combat leader and test pilot and has more than 3,000 hours of flying experience. During his career spanning more than 39 years, he served as the commanding officer of a MiG-21 squadron, an instructor at the Air Force Test Pilots School, and commanded forward air bases such as Pathankot and Bareilly. He also served in several other positions, including Deputy Chief of Operations at Integrated Defence Staff (IDS).
