Summary
Air Marshal Jonnalagedda Chalapati, PVSM, AVSM, VSM is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force. Currently, he served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command. He took over the office on 3 October 2021, succeeding of Air Marshal Manavendra Singh and superannuated on 31 March, 2023.[2]
Jonnalagedda Chalapati | |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Awards | Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vishisht Seva Medal |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch/service |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 22 December 1983 - 31 March 2023[1] |
| Rank |  Air Marshal |
| Commands | Southern Air Command Air Force Academy AFS Bagdogra |
| Service number | 17358[1] |
Early life and education edit
He graduated from the Hyderabad Public School in 1980.[3] He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy Khadagwasla and Air Force Academy Hyderabad. He has completed his National Defence Course from Bangladesh and Masters Degree in Military Studies from King's College London.[4]
Career edit
Jonnalagedda Chalapati was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on December 22, 1983. He has flying experience on various aircraft including HAL Tejas.[1][5]
Chalapati is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot and has about 3311 hrs of operational flight experience. He had served as a test pilot at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited working with DRDO on various projects.
He has held various appointments including Command of an Operational Squadron, commanded the AFS Bagdogra. Served as the Project Director (Flight Test) at National Flight Test Center, Aeronautical Development Agency. He was the Commandant at Air Force Academy, Dundigal.
Previous to his present assignment, he had served as Senior Air Staff Officer for the Southern Air Command from 1 August 2020 to 2 October 2021.[6][1]
Awardsand decorations edit
Chalapati has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2012, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024.[1][7][8]
  
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Personal life edit
Jonnalagedda Chalapati is married to Mrs Smitha Gayatri who is President of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional). The couple is blessed with two children.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Air Marshal Jonnalagedda Chalapati - Bharat Rakshak". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
- ^ "Air Marshal J.Chalapati takes over as SAC chief". The Hindu. 2021-10-04.
- ^ Dammala, Rachel (2023-06-05). "Hyderabad Public School: A Century of Leadership and Excellence". Deccan Chronicle.
- ^ "Chalapati takes over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command". Outlook India. 2021-10-04.
- ^ a b "AOC-in-C-SAC". Indian Air Force. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
- ^ "Air Marshal Chalapati joins Southern Air Command". New Indian Express. 2020-08-04.
- ^ "President approves 384 Gallantry Awards and other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day". PIB. 2022-01-25.
- ^ "75th Republic Day: President approves Gallantry awards to 80 Armed Forces personnel, including 12 posthumous". PIB (Press release). 2024-01-25.