Air Marshal

B Chandra Sekhar

PVSM AVSM
BornTelangana
AllegianceIndia
Service/branchIndian Air Force
Years of service21 December 1984 - 31 August 2023[1]
RankAir Marshal
Service number17726[1]
UnitNo. 130 Helicopter Unit
Commands heldAir Force Academy
AwardsParam Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

Air Marshal B Chandra Sekhar, PVSM, AVSM is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force. He served as the commandant of the Air Force Academy. He assumed the office on 8 March 2022 succeeding Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran. Previously, he served as the Senior Air Staff Officer - Training Command.[2]

Early life and education

B Chandra Sekhar is a native of Telangana. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, National Defence Academy, Khadagwasla, Flying Instructors School, College of Defence Management and National Defence College, New Delhi.[2]

Career

B Chandra Sekhar was commissioned in the flying branch of the Indian Air Force on 21 December 1984. He has over 5400 hours of incident free flying on various aircraft.[3]

B Chandra Sekhar is a qualified flying instructor and has the accolade of the landing a medium-lift helicopter in Siachen Glacier.[3][4]

With a long career of 38 years. He has served as appointments such as Ops IIB in the Eastern Sector, Principal Director (Administration) in Strategic Forces Command. He was instrumental in induction of Chinook helicopters and Rafale jet in the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force.[2]

As an Air Vice Marshal, he served as the Senior Officer-in-charge Administration for both Southern Air Command and Eastern Air Command.[5]

He served as the Senior Air Staff Officer - Training Command till 7 March 2022.[1][6]

He superannuated on 31 August 2023 and was succeeded by Air Marshal Seethepalli Shrinivas.[7]

Honours and decorations

During his career, B Chandra Sekhar has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020.[8]

Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

Personal life

B Chandra Shekhar is married to Mrs B Komala, who is an experienced banker. They are blessed with a daughter and a son who are both commissioned officers in the Indian Air Force.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Air Marshal B Chandrasekhar - Bharat Rakshak". Bharat Rakshak. 4 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Air Marshal B Chandra Sekhar takes over as Commandant, Air Force Academy". The Print. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Air Marshal B Chandra Shekhar appointed as Commandant, Air Force Academy". INDToday News. 9 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Air Marshal B Chandra Sekhar takes over as Commandant of Air Force Academy". All India Radio. 8 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Air Vice Marshal B Chandra Sekhar Takes Charge As SOA". Sentinelassam. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Senior Air Staff Officer Appointments at Training Command". Bharat Rakshak. 4 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Air Marshal S Shrinivas takes over as Commandant Air Force Academy". Telangan Today. 1 September 2023.
  8. ^ "75th Republic Day: President approves Gallantry awards to 80 Armed Forces personnel, including 12 posthumous". PIB (Press release). 25 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Air Marshal B Chandra Shekhar appointed as Commandant, Air Force Academy". Jagran Josh. 9 March 2022.
Military offices Preceded bySreekumar Prabhakaran Commandant – Air Force Academy 8 March 2022 – 31 August 2023 Succeeded bySeethepalli Shrinivas Preceded byT.D Joseph Senior Air Staff Officer - Training Command 1 August 2021 – 7 March 2022 Succeeded bySaju Balakrishnan
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