Article Posted on : - Aug 02, 2016

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (PTI): Air Marshal S Neelakantan on Monday assumed charge as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command.

The traditional Guard of Honour was presented to him by the 'Air Warriors.'

Air Marshal Neelakantan, who was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on December 28, 1977, is an alumni of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Tactics and Combat Development Establishment, a defence press release said.

He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has flown over 3100 hours on various types of aircraft and has commanded a frontline fighter squadron and two flying bases.

He also led the IAF contingent in Congo as part of the UN Mission in 2006-07.

Neelakantan also held important staff and instructional appointments and was the Director General (Inspection and Safety) and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air HQs before taking over as AOC-in-C, SAC, the release said.

He is also a recipient of the presidential awards Yudh Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal.