19 Facts About Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy served as the 19th Chief of the Air Staff from 2001 to 2004.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy raised the first electronic warfare squadron in the Indian Air Force.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy has the rare distinction of having commanded three operational commands of the IAF - the Western, South-Western and Central Air Commands.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy completed his schooling as well as his college education in the same city.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy specialised in electronic warfare and raised and commanded the first EW Squadron of the IAF.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy subsequently served as the Deputy Air Advisor to the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom at India House, London.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy attended the prestigious National Defence College, New Delhi as part of the 25th course in 1985.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy was promoted to the substantive rank of Air Commodore on 1 September 1988.

In February 1993, Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy was promoted to the acting rank of Air Vice Marshal and moved to Air HQ taking over as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy was promoted to Commander-in-Chief grade on 1 April 1997 and appointed Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Central Air Command at Allahabad.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy oversaw this move and the new HQ SWAC was inaugurated on 1 May 1998 by the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Keshubhai Patel.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy served in this appointment during the Kargil War.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy was awarded the Agni Award for Self Reliance in August 1999 for promoting indigenous development in the Indian Armed services.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy took command from Air Marshal Vinod Patney at HQ WAC.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy thus has the rare distinction of having commanded three operational commands of the IAF.

On 1 August 2001, Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy moved to Air HQ after being appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

On 30 October 2001, the Government of India announced that Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy was appointed the next Chief of the Air Staff.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy took over as the 19th Chief of the Air Staff on 31 December 2001 from Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis.

Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy served as full tenure of three years and relinquished command on 31 December 2004, handing over to Air Chief Marshal Shashindra Pal Tyagi.