Balakrishnan Suresh

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force. He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief (AOC-in-C), Western Air Command from 1 November 2019 following superannuation of Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar, till the day of his retirement on 31 July 2020.[3][4][5][6]

Air Marshal

Balakrishnan Suresh

PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
BornThiruvananthapuram, Kerala.[1]
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Air Force
Years of service13 December 1980 - 31 July 2020
Rank Air Marshal
Service number16206[2]
Commands heldWestern Air Command
Southern Air Command
Air Officer in Charge of Personnel
AwardsParam Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vayu Sena Medal

Early life and education

Air Mshl Suresh is an alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun, National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune and the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. He is a graduate of the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, and a post-graduate from Cranfield University in Shrivenham, United Kingdom.[7][8][9]

Career

Air Mshl Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980. He commanded No. 2 Squadron 'The Winged Arrows' as a Wing Commander and Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) as a Group Captain. Suresh also commanded a strategic fighter base as an Air Commodore.[10][9]

Air Mshl Suresh has held other positions including joint director and director for air staff inspection, Director Operations (Joint Planning), directing staff and commandant of TACDE, air assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), senior air staff officer at the Western Air Command and Air Officer-in-Chief Personnel at Air Headquarters.[10][9][8]

He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Air Command from 1 August 2018 taking over from Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, till 30 October 2019.[11][12]

Awards and medals

Air Mshl Suresh was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 2001 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal as a Group Captain in 2005.[13] He is probably one of youngest officers to be awarded the presidential award of AVSM as a Group Captain. He was awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2019.[2][10] He was appointed as Aide-de-camp of the president on 1 February 2019.[3]

Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vayu Sena Medal

Personal life

Air Mshl Suresh is married to Radha Suresh and they have a son and a daughter.[10]

References
  1. "Air Marshal hailing from Thiruvananthapuram takes over as AOP". NewIndianexpress. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  2. "411 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced". pib.nic.in. Press Information Bureau, Government of India.
  3. "Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes the Command of Western Air Command as AOC-In-C". 1 November 2019.
  4. @DefencePROPalam (1 November 2019). "Air Marshal B Suresh took over as the AOC-in-C, Western Air Command today morning. The Air Marshal reviewed a ceremonial Guard of Honour & thereafter outlined his vision for the Western Air Command in consonance with the objectives of the IAF and the nation" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. "Air Marshal B Suresh superannuated after illustrious career spanning 40 years". 31 July 2020.
  6. @DefencePROPalam (31 July 2020). "After a distinguished service spanning almost 40 years, Air Marshal B Suresh PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Air Command superannuated from the IAF today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. "Air Marshal Suresh new IAF personnel chief". 31 July 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  8. "Air Marshal B Suresh Takes Over as Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command, IAF". 1 November 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  9. "Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes Appointment of AOP". PIB. GOI. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  10. "AIR MARSHAL B SURESH AVSM VM, AOC-IN-C, SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND IAF". Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  11. "New Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief for SAC". The Hindu. 2 August 2018.
  12. @DefencePROTvm (30 October 2019). "Air Mshl B Suresh AOC-in-C SAC will be assuming the charge of AOC-in-C Western Air Command on 01 Nov 19. He handed over the Command of SAC in Thiruvananthapuram & was presented with an impressive guard of honour and a formal send off was organised by all the personnel of SAC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. "Service Record for Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh 16206 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
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