15 Facts About Balakrishnan Suresh

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force.

Balakrishnan Suresh served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command from 1 November 2019 following superannuation of Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar, till the day of his retirement on 31 July 2020.

Air Marshal Suresh is an alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun, National Defence Academy, in Khadakwasla, Air Force Academy in Dundigal and the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.

Balakrishnan Suresh is a graduate of the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, and a post-graduate from Cranfield University in Shrivenham, United Kingdom.

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980.

Balakrishnan Suresh commanded No 2 Squadron 'The Winged Arrows' as a Wing Commander and Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment as a Group Captain.

Balakrishnan Suresh commanded a strategic fighter base as an Air Commodore.

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh has held other positions including joint director and director for air staff inspection, Director Operations, directing staff and commandant of TACDE, air assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Operations, senior air staff officer at the Western Air Command and Air Officer-in-Chief Personnel at Air Headquarters.

Balakrishnan Suresh served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command from 1 August 2018 taking over from Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, till 30 October 2019.

Balakrishnan Suresh served as the AOC in C of the command until his superanuation on 31st July 2020.

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 2001 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal as a Group Captain in 2005.

Balakrishnan Suresh is probably one of youngest officers to be awarded the presidential award of AVSM as a Group Captain.

Balakrishnan Suresh was awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2019.

Balakrishnan Suresh was appointed as Aide-de-camp of the president on 1 February 2019.

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh is married to Radha Balakrishnan Suresh and they have a son and a daughter.