Indian Air Force News – Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vayu Sena Medal, assumed the role of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Central Air Command on May 1, 2025.
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 7, 1986, Air Marshal Manikantan is a seasoned Helicopter Combat Leader and a Qualified Flying Instructor with over 5,500 hours of flying experience. A graduate of the National Defence Academy, he has also completed courses at the Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management, and National Defence College.
With a distinguished career spanning over 38 years, the Air Marshal has held numerous key positions.
- He commanded a Mi-17 1V Helicopter Unit in the Western Air Command and
- Led air bases in Bamrauli (Prayagraj) and Leh (Ladakh),
- He has also served in various staff roles at Command and Air Headquarters, including as Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at the Eastern Air Command Headquarters,
- Before taking on his current role, he was the AOC-in-C of the Southern Air Command (SAC).
