Balakrishnan Suresh - Revision history

ElenaEbersbacher at 23:24, 1 January 2026

2026-01-01T23:24:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:54, 2 January 2026
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			{{short description\|Indian air marshal}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2019}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2019}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2019}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2019}}
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	\| birth_date = <!-- {{birth date and age\|df=yes\|YYYY\|MM\|DD}} or {{birth date\|df=yes\|YYYY\|MM\|DD}} if dead -->		\| birth_date = <!-- {{birth date and age\|df=yes\|YYYY\|MM\|DD}} or {{birth date\|df=yes\|YYYY\|MM\|DD}} if dead -->
	\| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age\|df=yes\|YYYY\|MM\|DD\|YYYY\|MM\|DD}} death date first, then birth date -->		\| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age\|df=yes\|YYYY\|MM\|DD\|YYYY\|MM\|DD}} death date first, then birth date -->
	\| birth_place = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]].<ref name="tribune-aop">{{cite web\|title=Air Marshal hailing from Thiruvananthapuram takes over as AOP\|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2016/aug/04/Air-Marshal-hailing-from-Thiruvananthapuram-takes-over-as-AOP-1503514.html\|website=NewIndianexpress\|accessdate=4 August 2016}}</ref>		\| birth_place = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]], India<ref name="tribune-aop">{{cite web\|title=Air Marshal hailing from Thiruvananthapuram takes over as AOP\|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2016/aug/04/Air-Marshal-hailing-from-Thiruvananthapuram-takes-over-as-AOP-1503514.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025061943/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2016/aug/04/Air-Marshal-hailing-from-Thiruvananthapuram-takes-over-as-AOP-1503514.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=25 October 2016\|website=NewIndianexpress\|accessdate=4 August 2016}}</ref>
	\| death_place =		\| death_place =
	\| placeofburial =		\| placeofburial =
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	}}		}}

	[[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]] '''Balakrishnan Suresh''' [[PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal\|AVSM]], [[Vayusena Medal\|VM]], [[Aide-de-camp\|ADC]] is a retired officer of the [[Indian Air Force]]. He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief (AOC-in-C), [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] from 1 November 2019 following superannuation of Air Marshal [[Raghunath Nambiar]], till the day of his retirement on 31 July 2020.<ref name="pib-aocinc-wac">{{cite web\|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1589980\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes the Command of Western Air Command as AOC-In-C\|date=2019-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROPalam\|number=1190263283191672833\|title=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.\|date=2019-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.defenceaviationpost.com/2020/08/air-marshal-b-suresh-superannuated-after-illustrious-career-spanning-40-years/\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh superannuated after illustrious career spanning 40 years\|date=2020-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROPalam\|number=1289152011691122688\|title=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.\|date=2020-07-31}}</ref>		[[Air Marshal (India)\|Air Marshal]] '''Balakrishnan Suresh''' [[PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal\|AVSM]], [[Vayusena Medal\|VM]], [[Aide-de-camp\|ADC]] is a retired officer of the [[Indian Air Force]]. He served as [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] (AOC-in-C), [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] from 1 November 2019 following superannuation of Air Marshal [[Raghunath Nambiar]], till the day of his retirement on 31 July 2020.<ref name="pib-aocinc-wac">{{cite web\|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1589980\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes the Command of Western Air Command as AOC-In-C\|date=2019-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROPalam\|number=1190263283191672833\|title=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.\|date=2019-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.defenceaviationpost.com/2020/08/air-marshal-b-suresh-superannuated-after-illustrious-career-spanning-40-years/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804044945/https://www.defenceaviationpost.com/2020/08/air-marshal-b-suresh-superannuated-after-illustrious-career-spanning-40-years/\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=4 August 2020\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh superannuated after illustrious career spanning 40 years\|date=2020-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROPalam\|number=1289152011691122688\|title=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.\|date=2020-07-31}}</ref>

	==Early life and education==		==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, Tamil Nadu\|Wellington]]. He is a graduate of the [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]], and a post-graduate from [[Cranfield University]] in [[Shrivenham]], United Kingdom.<ref name="bs-aop">{{cite web\|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/air-marshal-suresh-new-iaf-personnel-chief-116073100666_1.html\|title=Air Marshal Suresh new IAF personnel chief\|date=31 July 2016\|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="pib-saso-wac"/><ref name="pib-aop"/>		Air Marshal Suresh is an alumnus of the [[Rashtriya Indian Military College]] in [[Dehradun]], [[National Defence Academy]], in Khadakwasla, [[Air Force Academy (India)]] in Dundigal and the [[Defence Services Staff College]] in [[Wellington, Tamil Nadu\|Wellington]]. He is a graduate of the [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]], and a post-graduate from [[Cranfield University]] in [[Shrivenham]], United Kingdom.<ref name="bs-aop">{{cite web\|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/air-marshal-suresh-new-iaf-personnel-chief-116073100666_1.html\|title=Air Marshal Suresh new IAF personnel chief\|date=31 July 2016\|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="pib-saso-wac"/><ref name="pib-aop"/>

	==Career==		==Career==
	Air ~~Mshl~~ Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980. He commanded [[No. 2 Squadron IAF\|No. 2 Squadron]] 'The Winged Arrows' as a [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]] and [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]] (TACDE) as a [[group captain\|Group Captain]]. Suresh also commanded a strategic fighter base as an [[air commodore\|Air Commodore]].<ref name="iaf-aocinc">{{cite web\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/aoc-c-3\|title=AIR MARSHAL B SURESH AVSM VM, AOC-IN-C, SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND IAF\|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="pib-aop"/>		Air Marshal Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980. He commanded [[No. 2 Squadron IAF\|No. 2 Squadron]] 'The Winged Arrows' as a [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]] and [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]] (TACDE) as a [[group captain\|Group Captain]]. Suresh also commanded a strategic fighter base as an [[air commodore\|Air Commodore]].<ref name="iaf-aocinc">{{cite web\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/aoc-c-3\|title=AIR MARSHAL B SURESH AVSM VM, AOC-IN-C, SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND IAF\|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="pib-aop"/>

	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 (India)\|Chief of the Air Staff]], Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), senior air staff officer at the [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] and Air Officer-in-Chief Personnel at Air Headquarters.<ref name="iaf-aocinc"/><ref name="pib-aop">{{cite web\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes Appointment of AOP\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=148067\|date=31 July 2016\|website=PIB\|publisher=GOI\|accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="pib-saso-wac">{{cite web\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=111020\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Takes Over as Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command, IAF\|date=1 November 2014\|accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref>		Air Marshal 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 (India)\|Chief of the Air Staff]], Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), senior air staff officer at the [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] and Air Officer-in-Chief Personnel at Air Headquarters.<ref name="iaf-aocinc"/><ref name="pib-aop">{{cite web\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes Appointment of AOP\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=148067\|date=31 July 2016\|website=PIB\|publisher=GOI\|accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="pib-saso-wac">{{cite web\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=111020\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Takes Over as Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command, IAF\|date=1 November 2014\|accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref>

	He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, [[Southern Air Command (India)\|Southern Air Command]] from 1 August 2018 taking over from [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]], till 30 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/commanding-in-chief-of-sac-takes-charge/article24577575.ece\|title=New Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief for SAC\|date=2 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="sac-relinquish-tweet">{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROTvm\|number=1189490849387700224\|title=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.\|date=2019-10-30}}</ref>		He served as [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]], [[Southern Air Command (India)\|Southern Air Command]] from 1 August 2018 taking over from [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]], till 30 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/commanding-in-chief-of-sac-takes-charge/article24577575.ece\|title=New Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief for SAC\|website=[[The Hindu]] \|date=2 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="sac-relinquish-tweet">{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROTvm\|number=1189490849387700224\|title=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.\|date=2019-10-30}}</ref> From there he moved to New Delhi and on 01 November 2019 took over command of [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] as its [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]]. He served as the AOC in C of the command until his superannuation on 31st July 2020.

	==Awards and medals==		==Awards and medals==

	Air ~~Mshl~~ Suresh was awarded [[Vayu Sena Medal]] in 2001 and [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] as a Group Captain in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/16206\|title=Service Record for Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh 16206 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com\|website=Bharat Rakshak\|language=en-gb\|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> 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.<ref name="pvsm">{{cite web\|title=411 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced\|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187777\|website=pib.nic.in}}</ref><ref name="iaf-aocinc"/> He was appointed as [[Aide-de-camp]] of the president on 1 February 2019.<ref name="pib-aocinc-wac"/>		Air Marshal Suresh was awarded [[Vayu Sena Medal]] in 2001 and [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] as a [[Group Captain]] in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/16206\|title=Service Record for Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh 16206 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com\|website=Bharat Rakshak\|language=en-gb\|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> 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.<ref name="pvsm">{{cite web\|title=411 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced\|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187777\|website=pib.nic.in}}</ref><ref name="iaf-aocinc"/> He was appointed as [[Aide-de-camp]] of the president on 1 February 2019.<ref name="pib-aocinc-wac"/>

	{\| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"		{\| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
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	== Personal life ==		== Personal life ==
	Air ~~Mshl~~ Suresh is married to Radha Suresh and they have a son and a daughter.<ref name="iaf-aocinc"/>		[[Air Marshal]] Suresh is married to Radha Suresh and they have a son and a daughter.<ref name="iaf-aocinc"/>

	== References ==		== References ==
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	\| after = [[Amit Tiwari (air marshal)\|Amit Tiwari]]		\| after = [[Amit Tiwari (air marshal)\|Amit Tiwari]]
	}}		}}
			{{s-end}}

	<!--- Categories --->		<!--- Categories --->
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	[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]		[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
	[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]		[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
	[[Category:~~People~~ from Thiruvananthapuram]]		[[Category:Military personnel from Thiruvananthapuram]]

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Suresh, Balakrishnan}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Suresh, Balakrishnan}}
	[[Category:Living people]]		[[Category:Living people]]
			[[Category:Defence Services Staff College alumni]]

UpdateBot: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

2022-03-02T15:35:30Z

robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:05, 2 March 2022
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	\| battles =		\| battles =
	\| battles_label =		\| battles_label =
	\| awards = [[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg\|20px]][[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]<br>[[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg\|20px]][[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<br>[[File:Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg\|20px]][[Vayu Sena Medal]]~~<br/>~~		\| awards = [[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg\|20px]][[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]<br>[[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg\|20px]][[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<br>[[File:Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg\|20px]][[Vayu Sena Medal]]
	\| relations =		\| relations =
	\| spouse =		\| spouse =
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	==Career==		==Career==
	Air Mshl Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980. He commanded [[No. 2 Squadron IAF\|No. 2 Squadron]] 'The Winged Arrows' as a [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]] and [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]] (TACDE) as a [[group captain\|Group Captain]]. Suresh also commanded a strategic fighter base as an [[air commodore\|Air Commodore]].~~<ref name="pib-aop"/>~~<ref name="iaf-aocinc">{{cite web\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/aoc-c-3\|title=AIR MARSHAL B SURESH AVSM VM, AOC-IN-C, SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND IAF\|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref>		Air Mshl Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980. He commanded [[No. 2 Squadron IAF\|No. 2 Squadron]] 'The Winged Arrows' as a [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]] and [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]] (TACDE) as a [[group captain\|Group Captain]]. Suresh also commanded a strategic fighter base as an [[air commodore\|Air Commodore]].<ref name="iaf-aocinc">{{cite web\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/aoc-c-3\|title=AIR MARSHAL B SURESH AVSM VM, AOC-IN-C, SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND IAF\|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="pib-aop"/>

	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 (India)\|Chief of the Air Staff]], Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), senior air staff officer at the [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] and Air Officer-in-Chief Personnel at Air Headquarters.<ref name="pib-~~saso-wac~~">{{cite web\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=~~111020~~\|~~title~~=~~Air Marshal B Suresh Takes Over as Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command, IAF~~\|~~date~~=~~1 November 2014~~\|accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="pib-~~aop~~">{{cite web~~\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes Appointment of AOP~~\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=~~148067~~\|~~date~~=~~31 July 2016~~\|~~website~~=~~PIB\|publisher=GOI~~\|accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref~~><ref name="iaf-aocinc"/~~>		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 (India)\|Chief of the Air Staff]], Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), senior air staff officer at the [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] and Air Officer-in-Chief Personnel at Air Headquarters.<ref name="iaf-aocinc"/><ref name="pib-aop">{{cite web\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes Appointment of AOP\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=148067\|date=31 July 2016\|website=PIB\|publisher=GOI\|accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="pib-saso-wac">{{cite web\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=111020\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Takes Over as Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command, IAF\|date=1 November 2014\|accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref>

	He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, [[Southern Air Command (India)\|Southern Air Command]] from 1 August 2018 taking over from [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]], till 30 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/commanding-in-chief-of-sac-takes-charge/article24577575.ece\|title=New Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief for SAC\|date=2 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="sac-relinquish-tweet">{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROTvm\|number=1189490849387700224\|title=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.\|date=2019-10-30}}</ref>		He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, [[Southern Air Command (India)\|Southern Air Command]] from 1 August 2018 taking over from [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]], till 30 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/commanding-in-chief-of-sac-takes-charge/article24577575.ece\|title=New Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief for SAC\|date=2 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="sac-relinquish-tweet">{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROTvm\|number=1189490849387700224\|title=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.\|date=2019-10-30}}</ref>

CleanupBot: /* Career */clean up

2022-01-03T14:15:25Z

Career: clean up

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:45, 3 January 2022
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	==Career==		==Career==
	Air Mshl Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980. He commanded [[No. 2 Squadron IAF\|No. 2 Squadron]] 'The Winged Arrows' as a [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]] and [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]] (TACDE) as a [[group captain\|Group Captain]]. Suresh also commanded a strategic fighter base as an [[air commodore\|Air Commodore]].<ref name="iaf-aocinc">{{cite web\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/aoc-c-3\|title=AIR MARSHAL B SURESH AVSM VM, AOC-IN-C, SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND IAF\|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref~~><ref name="pib-aop"/~~>		Air Mshl Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980. He commanded [[No. 2 Squadron IAF\|No. 2 Squadron]] 'The Winged Arrows' as a [[Wing commander (rank)\|Wing Commander]] and [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]] (TACDE) as a [[group captain\|Group Captain]]. Suresh also commanded a strategic fighter base as an [[air commodore\|Air Commodore]].<ref name="pib-aop"/><ref name="iaf-aocinc">{{cite web\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/aoc-c-3\|title=AIR MARSHAL B SURESH AVSM VM, AOC-IN-C, SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND IAF\|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref>

	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 (India)\|Chief of the Air Staff]], Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), senior air staff officer at the [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] and Air Officer-in-Chief Personnel at Air Headquarters.<ref name="~~iaf~~-~~aocinc"/><ref name="pib~~-~~aop~~">{{cite web~~\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes Appointment of AOP~~\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=~~148067~~\|~~date~~=~~31 July 2016~~\|~~website~~=~~PIB\|publisher=GOI~~\|accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="pib-~~saso-wac~~">{{cite web\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=~~111020~~\|~~title~~=~~Air Marshal B Suresh Takes Over as Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command, IAF~~\|~~date~~=~~1 November 2014~~\|accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref>		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 (India)\|Chief of the Air Staff]], Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), senior air staff officer at the [[Western Air Command (India)\|Western Air Command]] and Air Officer-in-Chief Personnel at Air Headquarters.<ref name="pib-saso-wac">{{cite web\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=111020\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Takes Over as Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command, IAF\|date=1 November 2014\|accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="pib-aop">{{cite web\|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes Appointment of AOP\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=148067\|date=31 July 2016\|website=PIB\|publisher=GOI\|accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="iaf-aocinc"/>

	He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, [[Southern Air Command (India)\|Southern Air Command]] from 1 August 2018 taking over from [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]], till 30 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/commanding-in-chief-of-sac-takes-charge/article24577575.ece\|title=New Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief for SAC\|date=2 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="sac-relinquish-tweet">{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROTvm\|number=1189490849387700224\|title=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.\|date=2019-10-30}}</ref>		He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, [[Southern Air Command (India)\|Southern Air Command]] from 1 August 2018 taking over from [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]], till 30 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/commanding-in-chief-of-sac-takes-charge/article24577575.ece\|title=New Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief for SAC\|date=2 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="sac-relinquish-tweet">{{cite tweet\|user=DefencePROTvm\|number=1189490849387700224\|title=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.\|date=2019-10-30}}</ref>

>WOSlinker: /* Awards and medals */ tidy center tags

2021-05-23T20:05:04Z

Awards and medals: tidy center tags

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| name = Balakrishnan Suresh
| honorific_suffix = [[PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vayusena Medal|VM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]]
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| image = File:Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh Indian Air Force.jpg
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| birth_place = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]].<ref name="tribune-aop">{{cite web|title=Air Marshal hailing from Thiruvananthapuram takes over as AOP|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2016/aug/04/Air-Marshal-hailing-from-Thiruvananthapuram-takes-over-as-AOP-1503514.html|website=NewIndianexpress|accessdate=4 August 2016}}</ref>
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| allegiance = {{IND}}
| branch = {{air force|India}}
| serviceyears = 13 December 1980 - 31 July 2020
| rank = [[File:Air Marshal of IAF.png|20px]] [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| servicenumber = 16206<ref name="pvsm"/>
| unit =
| commands = [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] [[Southern Air Command (India)|Southern Air Command]] Air Officer in Charge of Personnel
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| awards = [[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]][[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] [[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|20px]][[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] [[File:Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg|20px]][[Vayu Sena Medal]] 
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}}

[[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] '''Balakrishnan Suresh''' [[PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vayusena Medal|VM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]] is a retired officer of the [[Indian Air Force]]. He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief (AOC-in-C), [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] from 1 November 2019 following superannuation of Air Marshal [[Raghunath Nambiar]], till the day of his retirement on 31 July 2020.<ref name="pib-aocinc-wac">{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1589980|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes the Command of Western Air Command as AOC-In-C|date=2019-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=DefencePROPalam|number=1190263283191672833|title=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.|date=2019-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defenceaviationpost.com/2020/08/air-marshal-b-suresh-superannuated-after-illustrious-career-spanning-40-years/|title=Air Marshal B Suresh superannuated after illustrious career spanning 40 years|date=2020-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=DefencePROPalam|number=1289152011691122688|title=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.|date=2020-07-31}}</ref>

==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, Tamil Nadu|Wellington]]. He is a graduate of the [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]], and a post-graduate from [[Cranfield University]] in [[Shrivenham]], United Kingdom.<ref name="bs-aop">{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/air-marshal-suresh-new-iaf-personnel-chief-116073100666_1.html|title=Air Marshal Suresh new IAF personnel chief|date=31 July 2016|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="pib-saso-wac"/><ref name="pib-aop"/>

==Career==
Air Mshl Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980. He commanded [[No. 2 Squadron IAF|No. 2 Squadron]] 'The Winged Arrows' as a [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] and [[Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment]] (TACDE) as a [[group captain|Group Captain]]. Suresh also commanded a strategic fighter base as an [[air commodore|Air Commodore]].<ref name="iaf-aocinc">{{cite web|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/aoc-c-3|title=AIR MARSHAL B SURESH AVSM VM, AOC-IN-C, SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND IAF|accessdate=3 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="pib-aop"/>

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 (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]], Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations (Air Defence), senior air staff officer at the [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] and Air Officer-in-Chief Personnel at Air Headquarters.<ref name="iaf-aocinc"/><ref name="pib-aop">{{cite web|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Assumes Appointment of AOP|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=148067|date=31 July 2016|website=PIB|publisher=GOI|accessdate=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="pib-saso-wac">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=111020|title=Air Marshal B Suresh Takes Over as Senior Air Staff Officer Western Air Command, IAF|date=1 November 2014|accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref>

He served as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, [[Southern Air Command (India)|Southern Air Command]] from 1 August 2018 taking over from [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]], till 30 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/commanding-in-chief-of-sac-takes-charge/article24577575.ece|title=New Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief for SAC|date=2 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="sac-relinquish-tweet">{{cite tweet|user=DefencePROTvm|number=1189490849387700224|title=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.|date=2019-10-30}}</ref>

==Awards and medals==

Air Mshl Suresh was awarded [[Vayu Sena Medal]] in 2001 and [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] as a Group Captain in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/16206|title=Service Record for Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh 16206 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com|website=Bharat Rakshak|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> 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.<ref name="pvsm">{{cite web|title=411 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187777|website=pib.nic.in}}</ref><ref name="iaf-aocinc"/> He was appointed as [[Aide-de-camp]] of the president on 1 February 2019.<ref name="pib-aocinc-wac"/>

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|[[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.<ref name="iaf-aocinc"/>

== References ==

{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{Succession box
| title = Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]]
| years = 1 November 2019 - 31 July 2020
| before = [[Raghunath Nambiar]]
| after = [[Vivek Ram Chaudhari]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, [[Southern Air Command (India)|Southern Air Command]]
| years = 1 August 2018 - 30 October 2019
| before = [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]]
| after = [[Amit Tiwari (air marshal)|Amit Tiwari]]
}}



[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vayu Sena Medal]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:People from Thiruvananthapuram]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Suresh, Balakrishnan}}
[[Category:Living people]]