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Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan
| Service No & Branch | 18291 F(P) | Stream :Helicopters |  | ||||||||||||
| Date of Birth: -- --- ---- | Commissioned: 07 Jun 1986 | Course: 137 Course | |||||||||||||
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| Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "B Manikantan" | |||||||||||||||
| Dates | Rank | Unit | Location | Appointment | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Apr 1992 - | Flt Lt | Oscar Sqn, National Defence Academy | Khadakvasla | Divisional officer | |
| 16 Jun 2003 - 23 May 2005 | Wg Cdr | No.152 Helicopter Unit | Sarsawa | Commanding Officer | |
| 27 Jul 2009 - 30 Jan 2011 | Gp Capt | 29 Wing | Bamrauli (Allahabad) | Station Commander | |
| 07 Jul 2014 - 18 Sep 2016 | Air Cmde | 21 Wing | Leh | Air Officer Commanding | |
| 31 Mar 2015 - 31 Mar 2020 | No.153 Helicopter Unit | Commodore Commandant | |||
| 14 Dec 2018 - | AVM | Maintenance Command | Nagpur | Senior Air & Administration Staff Officer | |
| 22 Aug 2022 - 30 Apr 2023 | Air Marshal | Eastern Air Command | Shillong | Senior Air Staff Officer | |
| 01 Apr 2023 - | Air Marshal | Southern Air Command | Trivandrum | Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief | |
| Incomplete Information? Additions? Corrections? Please download Template File and follow instructions. | |||||
Awards and Decorations
Number of Awards: 2
| Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) | ||||
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| Wg Cdr | Balakrishnan Manikantan | 18291 F(P) | Award Date | Announced 26 Jan 2006 |
| Details : | Wing Commander Balakrishnan Manikantan (18291) Flying (Pilot) took over the command of Helicopter Unit, an operational Mi-17 IV unit on 16 Jun 2003. He was among the first helicopter Directing Staff at TACDE and was actively involved in formalizing helicopter combat tactics and assessment criteria. He has also been the Flight Commander of Helicopter Unit, a Mi-17 unit, operating in Op Meghdoot sector.Under his command, the unit has flown 5I20 hours without any accident. he ensured that unit aircrew achieved high standards of role based training and Hew over 650 hours himself during the period. From Sep-Dec 2003, the unit was tasked to carry out the novel task of offshore operations in Mumbai High. Despite lack of previous experience, the unit flew 130 hours to various ONGC rigs, a feat that was well appreciated. The unit has executed multifarious tasks such as GSh 231, gun trails, regular detachments In J&K, casualty evacuations and disaster relief operations with elan. Under his able leadership, the unit also earned accolades for the difficult task of operating and maintaining six additional new BSF helicopters from Nov 2003-Feb 2005, flying 640 hours.The unit was adjudged the 'Best Helicopter Unit' in Western Air Command in 2004 and also performed exceedingly well in Ex-Vayu Spardha. He always ensured that the unit maintained a very high level operational readiness, backed by a high level of efficiency In maintenance and a proactive administration, which followed a participative style. The officer had displayed dynamic leadership qualities combined with sound professionalism as the Commanding Officer of a premier operational Helicopter Unit.For his excellent performance and exceptional devotion of duty. The Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander BalakrishnanManikantan. | |||
| Unit : 152 HU | ||||
| Reference : Gazette of India dated 18th March 2006 - No.30-Pres/2006 dated 26th January 2006 & AFD2006 Investiture | ||||
| Ati Vishist Seva Medal | ||||
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| Air Cmde | Balakrishnan Manikantan | 18291 F(P) | Award Date 26 Jan 2017 | Announced 26 Jan 2017 |
| Details : | Citation / Details Not Available | |||
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The data in the header section of this page comes from the Gazette of India - Click here to see the source
The URL for this page is http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/18291
Note: All the data available here is publicly available in the Gazette of India, published by the Indian Government, or from public domain sources, press releases about Awards and Right-To-Information (RTI) Requests. Additionally data shared by veterans is added to the page with permission. No data with respect to serving officers below the rank of AVM is displayed. Information in Gazette of India and Award citations and photographs as released by the Indian Air Force are the only details displayed.