Air Marshal

Balabhadra Radha Krishna

PVSM, AVSM, SC, ADC
Official portrait, 2021
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Air Force
Years of service22 December 1983 – 31 March 2023
Rank Air Marshal
Service number17326[1]
UnitNo. 37 Squadron
Commands heldVice Chief of Defence Staff (India)
Western Air Command
Director General Air (Operations)
AwardsParam Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Shaurya Chakra

Air Marshal Balabhadra Radha Krishna, PVSM, AVSM, SC, ADC is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force. He served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (the Vice Chief of Defence Staff) from 30 September 2021 till 31 March 2023.[2] He is former Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Western Air Command. He took over the office on 1 July 2021, following the elevation of Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari. Previously, he served as the Director General Air (Operations) and prior to that he served as Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command.[3][4][5]

Early life and education

BR Krishna is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and National Defence College.[6]

Career

BR Krishna was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 22 December 1983. He has flying experience of nearly 5000 hours on a variety of fighter aircraft including operational, instructional and test flying. He is a qualified flying instructor and a test pilot.[3]

With a long career of 38 years, he has commanded a front-line fighter aircraft squadron, and has commanded the Airforce Test Pilot School. He was the Commandant at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). As Air Marshal, he served as the Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command and prior to his elevation as AOC-in-C, he served as the Director General Air (Operations).[1][7] As Chief of the IDS, he merged the old Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate with the new one at the National War Memorial on 21 January 2022.[8]

Awards and decorations

During his career, BR Krishna for his gallant act in the air, he was awarded Shaurya Chakra in 1986 and for the distinguished service, he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2017 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.[9]

Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Shaurya Chakra Samanya Seva Medal Siachen Glacier Medal
Operation Parakram Medal Meritorious Service Medal Sainya Seva Medal High Altitude Service Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

References

  1. 1 2 "Air Marshal Balabhadra Radha Krishna - Bharat Rakshak". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  2. ↑ Tripathi, Shailaja (30 September 2021). "Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari takes charge as new Chief of Indian Air Force". Jagranjosh.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Air Marshal BR Krishna AVSM SC assumes the command of Western Air Command". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 1 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Air Marshal BR Krishna takes over as AOC-in-C of Western Air Command". Devids Course. 1 July 2021.
  5. ↑ "Air Marshal B R Krishna takes charge at SWAC". The Times of India. 2 March 2019. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Bhalla, Abhishek (1 July 2021). "Air Marshal BR Krishna takes over as AOC-in-C of Western Air Command". India Today.
  7. ↑ "Air Marshal V.R. Chaudhari takes charge as IAF Vice Chief". The Hindu. 1 July 2021.
  8. ↑ Bose, Joydeep (21 January 2022). "In historic move, Amar Jawan Jyoti merged with National War Memorial flame". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "President approves 384 Gallantry Awards and other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day". PIB. 25 January 2022.
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