Air Vice Marshal Krishnan Narayanan Nair was commissioned in the Flying Branch on 19 December, 1961. He has over 7300 hours of accident free flying. An A2 Qualified Instructor, he has been a Command Examiner on Packet aircraft. The Air Officer has held the appointments of Commanding Officer of a transport squadron, Station Commander and Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Agra. In staff appointments he has been Air II, Central Air Command and Deputy Director General Defence Planning Staff. An alumni of Defence Service Staff College (DSSC) and National Defence College, he was also a Directing Staff at DSSC.

He was appointed as Commandant of Air Force Academy on 01 Oct 1993. In a short AVSM 1995 span of time he galvanized and shaped the Academy into a model training establishment. Under his dynamic leadership he has innovated and streamlined every aspect of flight safety. As a result, the execution of the enormous flying training task of over 9000 hours every six months has been better systematized. Two courses of women pilots, introduced for the first time in the IAF after he assumed command, have been completed successfully. The entire Academy area has also been given a face lift at no cost through self help introduced by him.

The Air Officer has achieved high serviceability for Kiran and HPT-32 aircraft operating at the Academy. He has also encouraged the engineering staff into innovations leading to designing and fabrication of several test rigs and modifications.

Air Vice Marshal Krishnan Narayanan Nair has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Krishnan Narayanan Nair was commissioned on 19 Dec 61. He has to his credit over 7300 hours of accident free flying on various transport and trainer aircraft. He was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff in August 65 for having achieved more than 2175 hours of flying on Dakota aircraft in Ladakh and has logged over 2500 hours of instructional flying on various types of aircraft. His command tenures include 48 Squadron, Administrative Training Institute, Sambre, Air Force Station Agra and the prestigious Air Force Academy. He has held several senior key staff appointments in which he has served with high distinction. He is also the Commodore Commandant of 48 Squadron. For his distinguished services of an exceptional order he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 95. During his tenure as the Senior Air Staff Officer of Training Command, Air Marshal Nair played a key role in the formulation of the new pattern for training for the pilots of the Indian Air Force in Jan 96. His personal involvement and dedicated application were patently evident in the efficacious implementation of this training pattern leading to increased efficiency in training. Air Marshal Nair played an active role in the initial establishment and training of the aerobatic display team of the Indian Air Force, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team. It was also during this period that the Aero India 96 was held at Air Force Station Yelahanka under the overall control of Training Command. The meticulous planning and attention to detail which were instrumental in making this show an unqualified success have been in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force and earned kudos not only for the Indian Air Force but also for the Nation as a whole from the world aviation community.

Air Marshal Nair has been appointed as the AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command on 01 May 97. Since then he has spared no effort to give a new direction and thrust to the all round activities of the men under his command, both in the professional field and in the field of improvement in the quality of life.

The selfless and dedicated service rendered by Air Marshal Nair is worthy of emulation. He has displayed noteworthy skill in motivating his subordinates to perform to their potential for achieving the higher aims of the Service. He has shown exemplary skill in the management of resources at his Command for their optimal utilisation. Air Marshal Krishnan Narayanan Nair AVSM has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.