He took over the office on 3 October 2021, succeeding of Air Marshal Amit Dev and superannuated on 30 September 2022.

[4] Dilip Kumar Patnaik was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 8 June 1984.

[8][1] Patnaik has conducted many live bombing missions during Kargil conflict.

[2] During his career, Dilip Kumar Patnaik has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for his contribution in Kargil War and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020.

[5] Patnaik along with former IAS topper Hrusikesh Panda and former Joint Secretary of Rajya Sabha Ramakanta Das joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Odisha ahead of 2024 Indian general election as well as 2024 Odisha Legislative Assembly election.