Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 15:22, 23 December 2022
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	{{Short description\|Indian Air Force officer retired ~~2022~~}}		{{Short description\|Indian Air Force officer retired 2017}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2020}}
	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person
	\|honorific_prefix = [[Air vice marshal (India)\|Air Vice Marshal]]		\|honorific_prefix = [[Air vice marshal (India)\|Air Vice Marshal]]
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	==Early life and education==		==Early life and education==

	Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar was born on 27 September 1959 at [[Nagpur, Maharashtra]], to Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar and Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web\|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar\|title=GROUP CAPTAIN SURYAKANT CHINTAMAN CHAFEKAR \| Gallantry Awards\|website=gallantryawards.gov.in\|access-date=2 February 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713032124/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar\|archive-date=13 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar was an officer in the [[Territorial Army (India)\|Indian Territorial Army]]<ref>{{cite news\|URL=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Teach-India-A-captains-army-of-achievers/articleshow/3980483.cms\|title= Teach India: A captain's army of achievers\|date= 14 January 2009\|newspaper= The Times of India\|location= Nagpur}}</ref> and a social activist.<ref>{{cite news\|URL= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/He-sacrificed-his-today-for-their-tomorrow/articleshow/11670364.cms\|title= He sacrificed his today for their tomorrow\|date= 28 January 2012\|newspaper= The Times of India\|location= Nagpur\|access-date= 7 July 2019\|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120129204308/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/He-sacrificed-his-today-for-their-tomorrow/articleshow/11670364.cms\|archive-date= 29 January 2012\|url-status= live}}</ref> Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar was a school principal from [[Nagpur]].{{Cn\|date=March ~~2022~~}}		Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar was born on 27 September 1959 at [[Nagpur, Maharashtra]], to Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar and Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web\|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar\|title=GROUP CAPTAIN SURYAKANT CHINTAMAN CHAFEKAR \| Gallantry Awards\|website=gallantryawards.gov.in\|access-date=2 February 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713032124/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar\|archive-date=13 July 2019\|url-status=live}}</ref> Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar was an officer in the [[Territorial Army (India)\|Indian Territorial Army]]<ref>{{cite news\|URL=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Teach-India-A-captains-army-of-achievers/articleshow/3980483.cms\|title= Teach India: A captain's army of achievers\|date= 14 January 2009\|newspaper= The Times of India\|location= Nagpur}}</ref> and a social activist.<ref>{{cite news\|URL= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/He-sacrificed-his-today-for-their-tomorrow/articleshow/11670364.cms\|title= He sacrificed his today for their tomorrow\|date= 28 January 2012\|newspaper= The Times of India\|location= Nagpur\|access-date= 7 July 2019\|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120129204308/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/He-sacrificed-his-today-for-their-tomorrow/articleshow/11670364.cms\|archive-date= 29 January 2012\|url-status= live}}</ref> Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar was a school principal from [[Nagpur]].{{Cn\|date=March 2020}}

	Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar is an alumnus of Dharampeth Science College, Nagpur; [[Air Force Academy (India)\|Air Force Academy]], Dundigal; [[Flying Instructors School]]; [[Defence Services Staff College]], [[Wellington, Tamil Nadu]];<ref>{{cite news\|URL= http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/air-cmde-s-c-chafekar-to-take-over-12-wing-command-tomorrow/784021/\|title= Air Cmde S C Chafekar to take over 12 Wing command tomorrow\|date= 1 May 2011\|newspaper= The Indian Express\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref> and [[College of Air Warfare]], [[Secunderabad]].{{Cn\|date=March ~~2022~~}}		Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar is an alumnus of Dharampeth Science College, Nagpur; [[Air Force Academy (India)\|Air Force Academy]], Dundigal; [[Flying Instructors School]]; [[Defence Services Staff College]], [[Wellington, Tamil Nadu]];<ref>{{cite news\|URL= http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/air-cmde-s-c-chafekar-to-take-over-12-wing-command-tomorrow/784021/\|title= Air Cmde S C Chafekar to take over 12 Wing command tomorrow\|date= 1 May 2011\|newspaper= The Indian Express\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref> and [[College of Air Warfare]], [[Secunderabad]].{{Cn\|date=March 2020}}

	==Military career==		==Military career==
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	Chafekar was commissioned as a pilot officer in the transport stream of the IAF on 29 December 1982. He has held several important command, staff and instructor appointments during his career. He was considered to be an expert in flying fixed wing aircraft in the [[Himalayan Region]], and supervised humanitarian assistance and disaster relief tasks such as flood and earthquake relief operations.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/avm-chafekar-assumes-charge-of-saaso-iaf-mc-116070101190_1.html \|title=AVM SC Chafekar to assume charge of SAASO, IAF MC \|date=1 July 2016 \|newspaper=Business Standard \|location=Nagpur \|access-date=18 July 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718020858/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/avm-chafekar-assumes-charge-of-saaso-iaf-mc-116070101190_1.html \|archive-date=18 July 2019 \|url-status=live }}</ref>		Chafekar was commissioned as a pilot officer in the transport stream of the IAF on 29 December 1982. He has held several important command, staff and instructor appointments during his career. He was considered to be an expert in flying fixed wing aircraft in the [[Himalayan Region]], and supervised humanitarian assistance and disaster relief tasks such as flood and earthquake relief operations.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/avm-chafekar-assumes-charge-of-saaso-iaf-mc-116070101190_1.html \|title=AVM SC Chafekar to assume charge of SAASO, IAF MC \|date=1 July 2016 \|newspaper=Business Standard \|location=Nagpur \|access-date=18 July 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718020858/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/avm-chafekar-assumes-charge-of-saaso-iaf-mc-116070101190_1.html \|archive-date=18 July 2019 \|url-status=live }}</ref>

	On 18 February 2002, during a trial landing at Kargil airfield near the Pakistan border his aircraft was fired upon by a Pakistani missile that hit one of the engines, setting the aircraft on fire.<ref>{{cite news\|URL=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20020401-controversy-surrounding-air-force-brass-affects-indias-readiness-against-pakistan-796634-2002-04-01\|title= Controversy surrounding air force brass affects India's readiness against Pakistan\| date= 1 April 2002\| newspaper= India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|URL=http://manamanchhina.blogspot.com/2011/05/surviving-missile-and-air-marshal.html\| first= Man Aman Singh\|last= Chhina\|title= Surviving a missile and an Air Marshal\|date= 1 May ~~2022~~}}</ref> He continued to fly the aircraft with only one operational engine, and landed it at IAF airfield at [[Leh]].{{Cn\|date=March ~~2022~~}}		On 18 February 2002, during a trial landing at Kargil airfield near the Pakistan border his aircraft was fired upon by a Pakistani missile that hit one of the engines, setting the aircraft on fire.<ref>{{cite news\|URL=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20020401-controversy-surrounding-air-force-brass-affects-indias-readiness-against-pakistan-796634-2002-04-01\|title= Controversy surrounding air force brass affects India's readiness against Pakistan\| date= 1 April 2002\| newspaper= India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|URL=http://manamanchhina.blogspot.com/2011/05/surviving-missile-and-air-marshal.html\| first= Man Aman Singh\|last= Chhina\|title= Surviving a missile and an Air Marshal\|date= 1 May 2011}}</ref> He continued to fly the aircraft with only one operational engine, and landed it at IAF airfield at [[Leh]].{{Cn\|date=March 2020}}

	During his tenure as the commanding officer of [[No. 48 Squadron IAF]], on 31 May 2008,<ref>{{cite news\|URL=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/IAFs-48-sq-completes-50-glorious-years/articleshow/5187656.cms\|title= IAF's 48 sq completes 50 glorious years \|date= 1 November 2009\|newspaper= The Times of India\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|URL=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/chandigarh-to-have-first-of-the-upgraded-an32s/535576/\|title= Chandigarh to have first of the upgraded AN-32s \|date= 31 October 2009\|newspaper= Indian Express\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref> Chafekar landed an [[Antonov An-32]] aircraft at a HAALG at [[Daulat Beg Oldi]] (DBO) ({{Convert\|16700\|feet\|metres\|abbr=out}}) about {{Convert\|9\|km\|miles\|abbr=on}} from the [[Line of Actual Control]] with China.<ref>{{cite news\|URL=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Air-Force-Station-rose-above-the-rest/articleshow/3910638.cms\|title= Air Force Station rose above the rest \|date= 29 December 2008\|newspaper=The Times of India\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|URL=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/jun15-08/h4.html\|title= IAF Aircraft Lands at the Highest Airstrip Daredevils at DBO\|date= 15 June 2008\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|URL= http://rajeev.in/pages/general/130409.htm\|title= NO 48 SQUADRON THEY DID IT AGAIN AT DAULET BEG OLDI THEN WITH A PACKET, NOW WITH AN-32\|first= A G\|last= Bewoor\|access-date= 18 July 2019\|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190731100135/http://rajeev.in/pages/general/130409.htm\|archive-date= 31 July 2019\|url-status= live}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Shaurya Chakra]] by the [[President of India]] for this mission.<ref name="auto1"/>		During his tenure as the commanding officer of [[No. 48 Squadron IAF]], on 31 May 2008,<ref>{{cite news\|URL=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/IAFs-48-sq-completes-50-glorious-years/articleshow/5187656.cms\|title= IAF's 48 sq completes 50 glorious years \|date= 1 November 2009\|newspaper= The Times of India\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|URL=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/chandigarh-to-have-first-of-the-upgraded-an32s/535576/\|title= Chandigarh to have first of the upgraded AN-32s \|date= 31 October 2009\|newspaper= Indian Express\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref> Chafekar landed an [[Antonov An-32]] aircraft at a HAALG at [[Daulat Beg Oldi]] (DBO) ({{Convert\|16700\|feet\|metres\|abbr=out}}) about {{Convert\|9\|km\|miles\|abbr=on}} from the [[Line of Actual Control]] with China.<ref>{{cite news\|URL=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Air-Force-Station-rose-above-the-rest/articleshow/3910638.cms\|title= Air Force Station rose above the rest \|date= 29 December 2008\|newspaper=The Times of India\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|URL=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/jun15-08/h4.html\|title= IAF Aircraft Lands at the Highest Airstrip Daredevils at DBO\|date= 15 June 2008\|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|URL= http://rajeev.in/pages/general/130409.htm\|title= NO 48 SQUADRON THEY DID IT AGAIN AT DAULET BEG OLDI THEN WITH A PACKET, NOW WITH AN-32\|first= A G\|last= Bewoor\|access-date= 18 July 2019\|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190731100135/http://rajeev.in/pages/general/130409.htm\|archive-date= 31 July 2019\|url-status= live}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Shaurya Chakra]] by the [[President of India]] for this mission.<ref name="auto1"/>

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{{Short description|Indian Air Force officer retired 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
|honorific_prefix = [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]]
|name = Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar
|honorific_suffix = [[AVSM]], [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]]
|image = AVM SC Chafekar.jpg
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|9|27|df=yes}}
|birth_place = [[Nagpur, Maharashtra]], India
|allegiance = {{flag|India}}
|branch = [[India Air Force]]
|branch_label = Service
|serviceyears = 1982–2017
|rank = [[Air Vice Marshal]]
|servicenumber = 17013-L
|battles = [[Operation Pawan]]<br />[[Operation Cactus]]
|awards = [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<br />[[Shaurya Chakra]]
|spouse = Abhilasha Suryakant Chafekar<ref>{{cite news |date= 15 Mar 2013|title= Air Chief at 12 Wing for presentation|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/air-chief-at-12-wing-for-presentation/articleshow/18979388.cms| newspaper= The Times of India|location= Chadigarh}}</ref>
|laterwork = Author, Defence Analyst
}}

[[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]] '''Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar''' [[AVSM]], [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]] is a retired [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) officer who served as the Senior Air and Administration Staff Officer,<ref name="auto">{{cite news |url=https://www.nagpurtoday.in/air-vice-marshal-sc-chafekar-avsm-to-assume-charge-of-saaso-maintenance-command-iaf/06301300 |title=AVM SC Chafekar to assume charge of SAASO, Maintenance Command |date=30 June 2016 |newspaper=Nagpur Today |location=Nagpur |access-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128135611/http://www.nagpurtoday.in/air-vice-marshal-sc-chafekar-avsm-to-assume-charge-of-saaso-maintenance-command-iaf/06301300 |archive-date=28 January 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Maintenance Command]], IAF, from 1 July 2016 until he retired on 30 September 2017. He was the commanding officer of [[No. 48 Squadron IAF]]. During his career he landed [[Antonov An-32]] aircraft on High Altitude Advanced Landing Grounds (HAALG)s in [[Daulat Beg Oldi]],<ref>{{cite news|URL= https://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091108/spectrum/main1.htm|title= Flight of the camels|date= 8 November 2009|newspaper= The Tribune|location= Chandigarh|access-date= 7 July 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180613034123/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091108/spectrum/main1.htm|archive-date= 13 June 2018|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|URL= https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/iaf-aircraft-lands-at-the-highest-airstrip-in-the-world/articleshow/3088577.cms|title= IAF Aircraft lands at the highest Airstrip in the world|date= 31 May 2009|newspaper= Economic Times|location= Chandigarh|access-date= 7 July 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140517082200/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/iaf-aircraft-lands-at-the-highest-airstrip-in-the-world/articleshow/3088577.cms|archive-date= 17 May 2014|url-status= live}}</ref> [[Fukche]]<ref>{{cite news|URL= https://www.deccanherald.com/content/25935/iaf-opens-airstrip-close-lac.html|title= IAF opens airstrip close to LAC|date= 19 September 2009|newspaper= Deccan Herald|location= Chandigarh|access-date= 7 July 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171025121559/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/25935/iaf-opens-airstrip-close-lac.html|archive-date= 25 October 2017|url-status= live}}</ref> and [[Nyoma]].<ref>{{cite news|URL= https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/iaf-opens-new-airstrip-in-ladakh-nearer-to-china-border/articleshow/5026929.cms?from=mdr|title= IAF opens new airstrip in Ladakh nearer to China border|date= 18 September 2009|newspaper= Economic Times|location= Chandigarh}}</ref>

==Early life and education==

Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar was born on 27 September 1959 at [[Nagpur, Maharashtra]], to Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar and Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar|title=GROUP CAPTAIN SURYAKANT CHINTAMAN CHAFEKAR | Gallantry Awards|website=gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713032124/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar|archive-date=13 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar was an officer in the [[Territorial Army (India)|Indian Territorial Army]]<ref>{{cite news|URL=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Teach-India-A-captains-army-of-achievers/articleshow/3980483.cms|title= Teach India: A captain's army of achievers|date= 14 January 2009|newspaper= The Times of India|location= Nagpur}}</ref> and a social activist.<ref>{{cite news|URL= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/He-sacrificed-his-today-for-their-tomorrow/articleshow/11670364.cms|title= He sacrificed his today for their tomorrow|date= 28 January 2012|newspaper= The Times of India|location= Nagpur|access-date= 7 July 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120129204308/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/He-sacrificed-his-today-for-their-tomorrow/articleshow/11670364.cms|archive-date= 29 January 2012|url-status= live}}</ref> Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar was a school principal from [[Nagpur]].{{Cn|date=March 2022}}

Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar is an alumnus of Dharampeth Science College, Nagpur; [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]], Dundigal; [[Flying Instructors School]]; [[Defence Services Staff College]], [[Wellington, Tamil Nadu]];<ref>{{cite news|URL= http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/air-cmde-s-c-chafekar-to-take-over-12-wing-command-tomorrow/784021/|title= Air Cmde S C Chafekar to take over 12 Wing command tomorrow|date= 1 May 2011|newspaper= The Indian Express|location= Chandigarh}}</ref> and [[College of Air Warfare]], [[Secunderabad]].{{Cn|date=March 2022}}

==Military career==
[[File:Photo feature-01.jpg|thumb|An [[Indian Air Force]] Antonov An-32 taking off from the [[Daulat Beg Oldi]] ALG]]
Chafekar was commissioned as a pilot officer in the transport stream of the IAF on 29 December 1982. He has held several important command, staff and instructor appointments during his career. He was considered to be an expert in flying fixed wing aircraft in the [[Himalayan Region]], and supervised humanitarian assistance and disaster relief tasks such as flood and earthquake relief operations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/avm-chafekar-assumes-charge-of-saaso-iaf-mc-116070101190_1.html |title=AVM SC Chafekar to assume charge of SAASO, IAF MC |date=1 July 2016 |newspaper=Business Standard |location=Nagpur |access-date=18 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718020858/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/avm-chafekar-assumes-charge-of-saaso-iaf-mc-116070101190_1.html |archive-date=18 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 18 February 2002, during a trial landing at Kargil airfield near the Pakistan border his aircraft was fired upon by a Pakistani missile that hit one of the engines, setting the aircraft on fire.<ref>{{cite news|URL=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20020401-controversy-surrounding-air-force-brass-affects-indias-readiness-against-pakistan-796634-2002-04-01|title= Controversy surrounding air force brass affects India's readiness against Pakistan| date= 1 April 2002| newspaper= India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|URL=http://manamanchhina.blogspot.com/2011/05/surviving-missile-and-air-marshal.html| first= Man Aman Singh|last= Chhina|title= Surviving a missile and an Air Marshal|date= 1 May 2022}}</ref> He continued to fly the aircraft with only one operational engine, and landed it at IAF airfield at [[Leh]].{{Cn|date=March 2022}}

During his tenure as the commanding officer of [[No. 48 Squadron IAF]], on 31 May 2008,<ref>{{cite news|URL=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/IAFs-48-sq-completes-50-glorious-years/articleshow/5187656.cms|title= IAF's 48 sq completes 50 glorious years |date= 1 November 2009|newspaper= The Times of India|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|URL=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/chandigarh-to-have-first-of-the-upgraded-an32s/535576/|title= Chandigarh to have first of the upgraded AN-32s |date= 31 October 2009|newspaper= Indian Express|location= Chandigarh}}</ref> Chafekar landed an [[Antonov An-32]] aircraft at a HAALG at [[Daulat Beg Oldi]] (DBO) ({{Convert|16700|feet|metres|abbr=out}}) about {{Convert|9|km|miles|abbr=on}} from the [[Line of Actual Control]] with China.<ref>{{cite news|URL=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Air-Force-Station-rose-above-the-rest/articleshow/3910638.cms|title= Air Force Station rose above the rest |date= 29 December 2008|newspaper=The Times of India|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|URL=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/jun15-08/h4.html|title= IAF Aircraft Lands at the Highest Airstrip Daredevils at DBO|date= 15 June 2008|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|URL= http://rajeev.in/pages/general/130409.htm|title= NO 48 SQUADRON THEY DID IT AGAIN AT DAULET BEG OLDI THEN WITH A PACKET, NOW WITH AN-32|first= A G|last= Bewoor|access-date= 18 July 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190731100135/http://rajeev.in/pages/general/130409.htm|archive-date= 31 July 2019|url-status= live}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Shaurya Chakra]] by the [[President of India]] for this mission.<ref name="auto1"/>

On 4 November 2008, while Chafekar was still serving with No. 48 Squadron, he landed an Antonov An-32 at the [[Fukche]] HAALG approximately {{Convert|3|km|miles|abbr=on}} from the Line of Actual Control with China. This airstrip sat at a height of {{Convert|13700|feet|km|abbr=on}} and was last used during the 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]].<ref>{{cite news|first= Sujan|last= Dutta |title= IAF lands on Ladakh strip|date= 5 November 2008| newspaper= [[The Telegraph (Kolkata)]]| location= Kolkata}}</ref>

Around 15 months after the trial landings at DBO and Fukche, on 18 September 2009, Chafekar landed an Antonov An-32 at the Nyoma ALG, about {{Convert|23|km|miles|abbr=on}} from the Line of Actual Control with China.<ref>{{cite news|URL= https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/IAF-opens-new-airstrip-in-Ladakh/article16882136.ece|title= IAF opens new airstrip in Ladakh|date= 18 September 2009|newspaper= The Hindu|location= Chandigarh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first= Arun|last= Joshi |title= IAF touches base closer to China| newspaper= [[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>

During his career Chafekar was also awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/ErrorPage.html?aspxerrorpath=/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx|title=Press Information Bureau(PIB)|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> by the President of India for his service to the Indian Air Force, from which he retired on 30 September 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/nagpur-vidarbha-news/nagpur/nagpur-air-vice-marshall-suryakant-chaphekar-to-retire-on-30th/articleshow/60861111.cms |title=AVM SC Chafekar to retire on 30th Sept 2017 |date=28 September 2017 |newspaper=Maharashtra Times| location= Nagpur}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Notable appointments==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name of Appointment !! Rank !!Insignia !!Period
|-
| Senior Air and Administration Staff Officer,<ref name="auto"/> [[Maintenance Command]], [[Indian Air Force|IAF]]|| [[Air Vice Marshal]]||[[File:Air Vice Marshal of IAF.png|35px]] || 1 July 2016 to 30 September 2017
|-
| Assistant Chief of Integrated Defense Staff (Financial Planning),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/IDS|title=Integrated Defence Staff, Indian Air Force – Database|website=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512160857/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/IDS|archive-date=12 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Integrated Defence Staff]] || [[Air Vice Marshal]]||[[File:Air Vice Marshal of IAF.png|35px]] || 5 June 2015 to 30 June 2016
|-
| Principle Director Operations (Transports), Air Headquarters, [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Air Commodore]]|| [[File:Air Commodore of IAF.png|35px]] || 2 December 2013 to 31 May 2015
|-
| Principle Director Operations (Space),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/AirHQ|title=Air Head Quarters, Indian Air Force – Database|website=Bharat Rakshak}}</ref> Air Headquarters, [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Air Commodore]]||[[File:Air Commodore of IAF.png|35px]]|| 1 May 2013 to 1 December 2013
|-
| Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Chandigarh,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/air-commodore-chafekar-takes-over-12-wing-command/ |title=Air Commodore Chafekar takes over 12 Wing command |date=3 May 2011 |newspaper=Indian Express |location=Chandigarh |access-date=18 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718020857/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/air-commodore-chafekar-takes-over-12-wing-command/ |archive-date=18 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Air Commodore]]|| [[File:Air Commodore of IAF.png|35px]] || 2 May 2011 to 30 April 2013
|-
| Principle Director Operations (Transports & Helicopters), Air Headquarters, [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Air Commodore]]||[[File:Air Commodore of IAF.png|35px]]|| 26 April 2010 to 1 May 2011
|-
| Director Operations (Transports), Air Headquarters, [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Group Captain]]||[[File:Group Captain of IAF.png|35px]]|| 18 November 2009 to 25 April 2010
|-
| Commanding Officer, [[No. 48 Squadron IAF]]|| [[Group Captain]]||[[File:Group Captain of IAF.png|35px]]|| 1 January 2008 to 17 November 2009
|-
| Chief Operating Officer, Air Force Station Agra, [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Group Captain]]||[[File:Group Captain of IAF.png|35px]]|| 1 July 2005 to 31 December 2007
|-
| Commanding Officer, 2 Maharashtra Air Sqn [[National Cadet Corps (India)|NCC]] Nagpur, [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] || [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]]||[[File:Wing Commander of IAF.png|35px]]|| 12 September 2002 to 30 June 2005
|}
{{Clear}}

==Honours and awards==
[[File:PHOTO FEATURE SC Chafekar1.jpg|thumb|right|AVM SC Chafekar presented with [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]] in 2015]]
* [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<ref>{{URL|1= https://archive.org/details/in.gazette.central.w.2015-04-04.163360/page/n37?q=Suryakant+Chintaman+Chafekar+17013+F%28P%29|2= Union Government, Weekly, 2015-04-04, Part I-Section 1, Ref. 1GI/2015 by Government of India(4 April 2015)}}</ref> – Citation: "Distinguished service of an exceptional order in the [[Indian Air Force]]", 2015
* [[Shaurya Chakra]]<ref>{{URL|1= www.archive.org/details/in.gazette.2009.71/page/n33?q=Suryakant+Chintaman+Chafekar+17013+F%28P%29|2= Gazette of India, 2009, No. 71 by Government of India (21 March 2009)}}</ref> – Citation: "Planned and executed the [[Antonov An-32]] landing at [[Daulat Beg Oldi]] during tenure of Commanding Officer of [[No. 48 Squadron IAF]]", 2009
*Lakshmi Bai Tilak Award for Best Autobiography<ref>{{cite news |date= 22 Dec 2022|title= Vidarbha Sahitya Sangha Awards|url= https://epaper.timesgroup.com/maharashtratimes/article-share?article=22_12_2022_002_015_mtnag_MT| newspaper= Maharashtra Times|location= Nagpur}}</ref>– Citation: [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]] '''Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar''' [[AVSM]], [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]] is being awarded Best Autobiography Literature Award 2021 for his book Nilaeechya Chatta by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune, India
*Rashtriya Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Smruti Puraskar<ref>{{cite news |date= 31 Aug 2022|title= Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad Awards |url= https://maharashtratimes.com/maharashtra/pune-news/maharashtra-sahitya-parishad-awards/articleshow/93900975.cms| newspaper= Maharashtra Times|location= Pune}}</ref> – Citation: [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]] '''Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar''' [[AVSM]], [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]] is being awarded Best Autobiography Literature Award 2021-22 for his book Nilaeechya Chatta Vidarbha Sahitya Sangha, Nagpur, India
{{clear}}

==Dates of rank==

{|class="wikitable" style="background:white"
! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date of rank
|-
|align="center" |[[File:UK-Air-OF1B.svg|50px]] || [[Pilot Officer]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 29 December 1982
|-
|align="center" |[[File:British RAF OF-1b.svg|50px]] || [[Flying Officer]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 29 December 1984
|-
|align="center" |[[File:British RAF OF-2.svg|50px]] || [[Flight Lieutenant]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 29 December 1986
|-
|align="center" |[[File:British RAF OF-3.svg|50px]] || [[Squadron Leader]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 29 December 1993
|-
|align="center" |[[File:British RAF OF-4.svg|50px]] || [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 17 May 1999
|-
|align="center" |[[File:British RAF OF-5.svg|50px]] || [[Group Captain]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 20 November 2006
|-
|align="center" |[[File:India-AirForce-OF-6-collected.svg|100px]] || [[Air Commodore]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 10 May 2010
|-
|align="center" |[[File:India-AirForce-OF-7-collected.svg|100px]] || [[Air Vice-Marshal]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 1 September 2015
|-
|}

==Post retirement==
[[File:AVM SC Chafekar (retd.) delivering a speech at a seminar.jpg|thumb|AVM SC Chafekar (retd.) delivering a speech at a Prahar military school seminar]]

He has published his autobiography in 2 languages- '''Nilaeechya Chatta'''<ref>{{cite book |last= Chafekar|first= Suryakant|date= September 2021|title= Nilaeechya Chatta |url= https://www.rajhansprakashan.com/product-details/nilaichya-chhata|location= Pune |publisher= Rajhans Prakashan|isbn=978-81-952301-3-6}}</ref> (Marathi, published September 2021), '''Shades of Blue'''<ref>{{cite book |last= Chafekar|first= Suryakant|date= November 2021|title= Shades of Blue|url= https://www.rajhansprakashan.com/product-details/shades-of-blue|location= Pune |publisher= Rajhans Prakashan|isbn= 978-81-952301-3-6}}</ref> (English, published November 2021). These books have been published by Rajhans Prakashan, Pune, India. He has been awarded '''Lakshmi Bai Tilak Award''' for Best Autobiography (Marathi) for year 2021 by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune, India. <ref>{{cite news |date= 31 Aug 2022|title= Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad Awards |url= https://maharashtratimes.com/maharashtra/pune-news/maharashtra-sahitya-parishad-awards/articleshow/93900975.cms| newspaper= Maharashtra Times|location= Pune}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news |date= 30 Aug 2022|title= Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad Awards |url= https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02fun69Hnmd6NDKhCG95E7teeqUuWwm62b4gNs4ULc3RZ4PKKEGQTGQmkfFTbvzaUhl&id=1536479449991843&sfnsn=scwspwa&mibextid=RUbZ1f|location= Pune}}</ref> He has also been awarded '''Rashtriya Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Smruti Puraskar''' for Best Autobiography (Marathi) for year 2021-22 by Vidarbha Sahitya Sangha, Nagpur, India. <ref>{{cite news |date= 22 Dec 2022|title= Vidarbha Sahitya Sangha Awards|url= https://epaper.timesgroup.com/maharashtratimes/article-share?article=22_12_2022_002_015_mtnag_MT| newspaper= Maharashtra Times|location= Nagpur}}</ref>

He also works as a defence analyst<ref>{{Cite episode |title= Surykant Chafekar And Shailendra Devlankar Reaction On Pakistan To Release IAF's Wing Commander Abhinandan|url= https://www.zee5.com/kn/news/details/surykant-chafekar-and-shailendra-devlankar-reaction-on-pakistan-to-release-iaf_s-wing-commander-abhinandan/0-0-newsauto_6vo2i9de8i90|series= Zee 24 Taas|network= Zee5|date= 1 March 2019|language=Marathi}}</ref> and publishes articles in many Indian newspapers including ''[[The Hitavada]]'',<ref>{{cite news|URL=https://www.ehitavada.com/index.php?edition=Mpage&date=2019-09-01&page=7|title=Balakot Airstrike, Abrogation of Article 370, What next...|date= 1 September 2019|newspaper= [[The Hitavada]]|location= Nagpur}}</ref> ''[[The Times of India]]'',<ref>{{cite news|first= Suryakant Chintaman|last= Chafekar|title= Balakot Attack|date= 3 March 2019| newspaper= Maharashtra Times| location= Nagpur}}</ref> and ''[[Loksatta]]''.<ref>{{cite news|first= Suryakant Chintaman|last= Chafekar|title= Balakot Attack|date= 28 February 2019| newspaper= Loksatta| location= Nagpur}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Military Awards and Decorations==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|
|[[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg|105px]]
|
|-
|[[File:IND Samanya Seva medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Siachen Glacier Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Parakram medal.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 30 Years Long Service Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|colspan="2"|[[Shaurya Chakra]]
|-
|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|[[Siachen Glacier Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
|[[Operation Parakram Medal]]
|-
|[[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Videsh Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|30 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Shaurya Chakra]]
[[Category:College of Air Warfare alumni]]