Sreekumar Prabhakaran

Sreekumar Prabhakaran was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 22 December 1983 from Air Force Academy, Dundigal. He has flying experience of over 4,800 hours on a variety of fighter aircraft and has commanded the venerable Surya Kiran display team.^[6][1]

Sreekumar Prabhakaran has commanded the Surya Kiran display team and under him the team has participated in over 150 accident free public display. The team was awarded the Chief of Air Staff's Unit Citation under his command.^[6][7]

With a long career of 37 years. He has served as senior directing staff (Air) at DSSC, Wellington and has commanded two flying bases. He also served as the Defence Attache at Cairo, Egypt from 2007 to 2010.^[4][8]

He served as the Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of South Western Air Command.^[9] He also served as Director General (Flight Inspection & Safety)^[1][10][11]

He assumed the charge of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command on 1 March 2022 succeeding Air Marshal Amit Dev.^[12] He superannuated on 31 December 2022 and was succeeded by Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha.^[13]

During his career, Sreekumar Prabhakaran has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2005 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 for his services to the nation.^[14]