B Chandra Sekhar Explained

Honorific Prefix:Air Marshal
B Chandra Sekhar
Birth Place:Telangana
Allegiance:India
Branch:Indian Air Force
Serviceyears:21 December 1984 - 31 August 2023
Rank:Air Marshal
Servicenumber:17726
Unit:No. 130 Helicopter Unit
Commands:Air Force Academy
Awards:Param 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.[1]

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.[1]

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.[2]

B Chandra Sekhar is a qualified flying instructor and has the accolade of the landing a medium-lift helicopter in Siachen Glacier.[2] [3]

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.[1]

As an Air Vice Marshal, he served as the Senior Officer-in-charge Administration for both Southern Air Command and Eastern Air Command.[4]

He served as the Senior Air Staff Officer - Training Command till 7 March 2022.[5] [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 MedalAti 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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-03-08. Air Marshal B Chandra Sekhar takes over as Commandant, Air Force Academy. 2022-04-08. The Print. en.
  2. Web site: Air Marshal B Chandra Shekhar appointed as Commandant, Air Force Academy. INDToday News. 2022-03-09.
  3. Web site: Air Marshal B Chandra Sekhar takes over as Commandant of Air Force Academy. All India Radio. 2022-03-08.
  4. Web site: Air Vice Marshal B Chandra Sekhar Takes Charge As SOA. Sentinelassam. 2019-08-09. 2022-04-08.
  5. Web site: Air Marshal B Chandrasekhar - Bharat Rakshak. Bharat Rakshak. 2022-08-04.
  6. Web site: Senior Air Staff Officer Appointments at Training Command . Bharat Rakshak. 2022-08-04.
  7. Web site: 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. 2024-01-25.
  9. Web site: Air Marshal B Chandra Shekhar appointed as Commandant, Air Force Academy. Jagran Josh. 2022-03-09.