Air Marshal S.B. Deo has taken over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) at Air HQ. He was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on June 15, 1979. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He is a Fighter Combat Leader and a ‘Cat A’ Qualified Flying Instructor with over 3,800 hours of operational and training flying. He was also Directing Staff at Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE).

Air Marshal Deo has been AOC of a major fighter base. He commanded a MiG-21 Bison squadron and a Signal Unit besides being the Chief Ops Officer of a forward base. As Station Commander of the Signal Unit he was actively involved in the induction of modern assets and sensors in the IAF. Prior to taking over as VCAS, he was the AOC-in-C of Western and Eastern Air Commands, DG Air (Ops), AOC COBRA Group, AD Commander & Air I and has held various staff appointments and worked in Ops/Plans Directorates at Air HQ (VB).

In recognition of his meritorious service and professionalism, he was awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal and ADC by the President of India.