AIR MARSHAL BALAKRISHNAN MANIKANTAN ASSUMES COMMAND

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, assumed the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command on 01 May 25.

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan was commissioned in the Indian Air Force on 07 Jun 1986. The Air Marshal is a Helicopter Combat Leader and a type Qualified Flying Instructor and has more than 5500 hours of flying experience to his credit. An alumnus of National Defence Academy, he has also done the Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management and National Defence College.

During his illustrious career spanning more than 38 years, the Air Marshal has tenanted a number of significant field and staff appointments. He commanded a Mi-17 1V Helicopter Unit in Western Air Command and two air bases at Bamrauli (in Prayagraj) and Leh (in Ladakh). The Air Marshal has held varied staff appointments at all levels at Command and Air HQ. He was also the SASO at HQ Eastern Air Command. Prior to assuming the present appointment as AOC-in-C CAC, the Air Marshal was tenanting the appointment of AOC-in-C SAC.

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