Balabhadra Radha Krishna

Air Marshal Balabhadra Radha Krishna, AVSM, SC is an officer in the Indian Air Force. He is former Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Western Air Command. He took over the office on 1 July 2021, following the elevation of Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari. He has been appointed as next Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Now Vice Chief of Defence Staff (India) on 30 September 2021 [2] Previously, he served as the Director General Air (Operations) and prior to that he served as Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command.[3][4][5]

Air Marshal

Balabhadra Radha Krishna

AVSM, SC
AllegianceIndia
Service/branchIndian Air force
Years of service22 December 1983 - Present
RankAir Marshal
Service number17326[1]
UnitNo. 37 Squadron
Commands heldVice Chief of Defence Staff (India) Western Air Command
Director General Air (Operations)
AwardsAti Vishisht Seva Medal
Shaurya Chakra

Early life and education

BR Krishna is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and National Defence College.[6]

Career

BR Krishna was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on December 22, 1983. He has flying experience of nearly 5000 hours on a variety of fighter aircraft including operational, instructional and test flying. He is a qualified flying instructor and a test pilot.[3]

With a long career of 38 years, he has commanded a front-line fighter aircraft squadron, and has commanded the Airforce Test Pilot School. He was the Commandant at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). As Air Marshal, he served as the Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command and prior to his elevation as AOC-in-C, he served as the Director General Air (Operations).[1][7]

Awards and decorations

During his career, BR Krishna for his gallant act in the air, he was awarded Shaurya Chakra in 1986 and for the distinguished service, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2017.

Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Shaurya Chakra Samanya Seva Medal Siachen Glacier Medal
Operation Parakram Medal Meritorious Service Medal Sainya Seva Medal High Altitude Service Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

References
  1. "Air Marshal Balabhadra Radha Krishna - Bharat Rakshak". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  2. https://m.rediff.com/amp/news/report/major-reshuffle-in-iaf-top-brass-new-vice-chief-announced/20210924.htm
  3. "AIR MARSHAL BR KRISHNA AVSM SC ASSUMES THE COMMAND OF WESTERN AIR COMMAND". PIB. 2021-07-01.
  4. "Air Marshal BR Krishna takes over as AOC-in-C of Western Air Command". Devids Course. 2021-07-01.
  5. "Air Marshal B R Krishna takes charge at SWAC". Times of India. 2019-03-02. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  6. Bhalla, Abhishek (2021-07-01). "Air Marshal BR Krishna takes over as AOC-in-C of Western Air Command". India Today.
  7. "Air Marshal V.R. Chaudhari takes charge as IAF Vice Chief". The Hindu. 2021-07-01.
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