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===Air incident===
===Air incident===
On 18th Feb 2002, during a trial landing at Kargil airfield (very close to Pakistan border) his aircraft was fired upon by a Pakistani missile which hit one of the engines and caught fire.<ref>{{cite news|URL=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20020401-controversy-surrounding-air-force-brass-affects-indias-readiness-against-pakistan-796634-2002-04-01|title= Controversy surrounding air force brass affects India's readiness against Pakistan| date= 1 April 2002| newspaper= India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|URL=http://manamanchhina.blogspot.com/2011/05/surviving-missile-and-air-marshal.html| first= Man Aman Singh|last= Chhina||title= Surviving a missile and an Air Marshal|date= 1 May 2011}}</ref> He flew the aircraft with a single operational engine and landed at [[Leh]] airfield.
On 18th Feb 2002, during a trial landing at Kargil airfield (very close to Pakistan border) his aircraft was fired upon by a Pakistani missile which hit one of the engines and caught fire.<ref>{{cite news|URL=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20020401-controversy-surrounding-air-force-brass-affects-indias-readiness-against-pakistan-796634-2002-04-01|title= Controversy surrounding air force brass affects India's readiness against Pakistan| date= 1 April 2002| newspaper= India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|URL=http://manamanchhina.blogspot.com/2011/05/surviving-missile-and-air-marshal.html| first= Man Aman Singh|last= Chhina||title= Surviving a missile and an Air Marshal|date= 1 May 2011}}</ref> He flew the aircraft with the single operational engine and landed at [[Leh]] airfield.


===Important Milestones===
===Important Milestones===

Revision as of 23:58, 2 October 2019

Air Vice Marshal (retd.)

Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar

AVSM,Shaurya Chakra
Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar
Born (1959-09-27) 27 September 1959 (age 64)
Nagpur, Maharashtra
Allegiance India
Service/Branch Indian Air Force, Flying Pilot
Years of service1982-2017
RankAir Vice Marshal
Service number17013-L[1]
Battles/warsOperation Pawan
Operation Cactus
Awards Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Shaurya Chakra
Other workDefence Analyst[2], Public Speaker, Motivator, Skill and Personality Development

Air Vice Marshal Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar AVSM, Shaurya Chakra is a retired two star general in the Indian Air Force. He was commissioned in Transport stream of Indian Air Force with over 7000 hours of operational flying and has piloted various types of aircraft including HAL HT-2, HAL HJT-16, HAL HPT-32 Deepak, Hawker Siddeley HS 748, de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter,Antonov An-32.
He is the alumnus of Air Force Academy, Dundigul and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu and was a qualified flying instructor (alumnus of Flying Instructors School) with 3500 hours of instructor flying experience.

Early life and education

Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar was born on 27th September, 1959 to Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar and Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar.[3] Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar was an officer in Territorial Army (India)[4] and a social activist.[5] Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar was a school principal. He belongs to Nagpur and has graduated from Dharampeth Science College, Nagpur where he was a cadet in NCC.

Military career

Early Years

He has served in North East sector in joint operation with Indian Army (para trooping and bombing)), Southern sector including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Norther sector.

Air incident

On 18th Feb 2002, during a trial landing at Kargil airfield (very close to Pakistan border) his aircraft was fired upon by a Pakistani missile which hit one of the engines and caught fire.[6][7] He flew the aircraft with the single operational engine and landed at Leh airfield.

Important Milestones

Trial landings at High Altitude Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) Daulat Beg Oldi, 31 May 2008[8][9][10][11][12]

Indian Air Force Antonov An-32 taking off from Daulat Beg Oldi ALG

During the tenure as the commanding officer of No. 48 Squadron IAF[13][14], AVM SC Chafekar executed a trial landings on Antonov An-32 aircraft at High Altitude Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), Daulat Beg Oldi(DBO).This air strip is at an altitude of 16700 feet and lies near Karakorum pass, approx. 9 km from the Line of Actual Control with China. It is in the vicinity of Chip Chap with average winter temperatures of -48 C. The landing surface at DBO was brought to operational status by the Indian Army and was unpaved. The flying condition for this mission was outside the operating envelop envisaged by Antonov An-32 manufacturers. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra[15] by President of India, Citation: "Planned and executed the Antonov An-32 landing at Daulat Beg Oldi.

AVM SC Chafekar presented with Shaurya Chakra at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2009






Trial landings at High Altitude Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) Fukche, 4 November 2008[16][17]

Aeriel view of Fukche ALG

During the same tenure, AVM SC Chafekar successfully landed Antonov An-32 at Fukche High Altitude Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) approx. 3 km from Line of Actual Control with China. This air strip is at an altitude of 13,700 feet and was last used in 1962 Sino-Indian War. This was a first for fixed wing aircraft (Antonov An-32) to land at this air strip.







Trial landings at High Altitude Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) Nyoma, 18 September 2009[18][19][20]

Indian Air Force Antonov An-32 taking off from Nyoma ALG

15 months after the trial landing at High Altitude Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), Daulat Beg Oldi(DBO) and Fukche, AVM SC Chafekar successfully landed Antonov An-32 at Nyoma ALG approx. 23 km from Line of Actual Control with China. This was a first for fixed wing aircraft (Antonov An-32) to land at at Nyoma's compacted air strip which is situated at an altitude of 13, 300 feet in the Himalayan ranges.








Other notable milestones

AVM SC Chafekar presented with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2015
  • He has supervised Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief tasks like 2013 North India floods, Yemen evacuation, J&K flood relief and Nepal earthquake relief work.[21]
  • He also supervised induction of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in Indian Air Force.
  • For his service in the Indian Air Force he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal[22] by President of India, Citation: "Distinguished service of an exceptional order in the Indian Air Force".
  • He retired from the Indian Air Force on 30th Sept 2017.[23]

    Notable Appointments Held

    Name of Appointment Rank Insignia Period
    Senior Air and Administration Staff Officer[24], Maintenance Command, IAF Air Vice Marshal 01 July 2016 to 30 September 2017
    Assistant Chief of Integrated Defense Staff (Financial Planning)[25], Integrated Defence Staff Air Vice Marshal 05 June 2015 to 30 June 2016
    Principle Director Operations (Transports), Air Headquarters, IAF Air Commodore 02 December 2013 to 31 May 2015
    Principle Director Operations (Space)[26], Air Headquarters, IAF Air Commodore 01 May 2013 to 01 December 2013
    Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Chandigarh[27], IAF Air Commodore 02 May 2011 to 30 April 2013
    Principle Director Operations (Transports & Helicopters), Air Headquarters, IAF Air Commodore 26 April 2010 to 01 May 2011
    Director Operations (Transports), Air Headquarters, IAF Group Captain 18 November 2009 to 25 April 2010
    Commanding Officer, No. 48 Squadron IAF Group Captain 01 January 2008 to 17 November 2009
    Chief Operating Officer, Air Force Station Agra, IAF Group Captain 01 July 2005 to 31 December 2007
    Commanding Officer, 2 Maharashtra Air Sqn NCC Nagpur, IAF Wing Commander 12 September 2002 to 30 June 2005

    Military Medals

    Ati Vishist Seva Medal Shaurya Chakra Samanya Sena Medal
    Siachen Glacier Medal Special Service Medal Operation Parakram medal
    Sainya Seva Medal High Altitude Medal Videsh Seva Medal
    50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal
    9 Years Long Service Medal

    Military Awards

    Dates of rank

    Insignia Rank Component Date of rank
    Pilot Officer Indian Air Force 29 Dec 1982
    Flying Officer Indian Air Force 29 Dec 1984
    Flight Lieutenant Indian Air Force 29 Dec 1986
    Squadron Leader Indian Air Force 29 Dec 1993
    Wing Commander Indian Air Force 17 May 1999
    Group Captain Indian Air Force 20 Nov 2006
    Air Commodore Indian Air Force 10 May 2010
    Air Vice-Marshal Indian Air Force 01 Sep 2015

    Post Retirement

    AVM SC Chafekar (retd.) delivering speech at a seminar

    After retiring from the Indian Air Force, he conducts lectures at educational and professional institutes[30][31] as a Defense analyst and motivator. He has published articles in many noted Indian newspapers including The Hitavada,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38] The Times of India,[39] Loksatta.[40][41]

    References

    1. ^ bharat-rakshak.com
    2. ^ "Surykant Chafekar And Shailendra Devlankar Reaction On Pakistan To Release IAF_s Wing Commander Abhinandan". Zee 24 Taas (in Marathi). 1 March 2019. Zee5.
    3. ^ http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar
    4. ^ "Teach India: A captain's army of achievers". The Times of India. Nagpur. 14 January 2009.
    5. ^ "He sacrificed his today for their tomorrow". The Times of India. Nagpur. 28 January 2012.
    6. ^ "Controversy surrounding air force brass affects India's readiness against Pakistan". India Today. 1 April 2002.
    7. ^ Chhina, Man Aman Singh (1 May 2011). "Surviving a missile and an Air Marshal". {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    8. ^ "Flight of the camels". The Tribune. Chandigarh. 8 November 2009.
    9. ^ "IAF Aircraft lands at the highest Airstrip in the world". Economic Times. Chandigarh. 31 May 2009.
    10. ^ "Air Force Station rose above the rest". The Times of India. Chandigarh. 29 December 2008.
    11. ^ "IAF Aircraft Lands at the Highest Airstrip Daredevils at DBO". Chandigarh. 15 June 2008.
    12. ^ Bewoor, A G. "NO 48 SQUADRON THEY DID IT AGAIN aT DAULET BEG OLDI THEN WITH A PACKET, NOW WITH AN-32". {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    13. ^ "IAF's 48 sq completes 50 glorious years". The Times of India. Chandigarh. 1 November 2009.
    14. ^ "Chandigarh to have first of the upgraded AN-32s". Indian Express. Chandigarh. 31 Oct 2009.
    15. ^ http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar
    16. ^ "IAF opens airstrip close to LAC". Deccan Herald. Chandigarh. 19 September 2009.
    17. ^ Dutta, Sujan (5 November 2008). "IAF lands on Ladakh strip". The Telegraph (Kolkata). Kolkata.
    18. ^ "IAF opens new airstrip in Ladakh nearer to China border". Economic Times. Chandigarh. 18 September 2009.
    19. ^ "IAF opens new airstrip in Ladakh". The Hindu. Chandigarh. 18 September 2009.
    20. ^ Joshi, Arun. "IAF touches base closer to China". Hindustan Times.
    21. ^ "AVM SC Chafekar to assume charge of SAASO,IAF MC". Business Standard. Nagpur. 1 July 2016.
    22. ^ http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=118733
    23. ^ "AVM SC Chafekar to retire on 30th Sept 2017". Maharashtra Times. Nagpur. 28 September 2017.
    24. ^ "AVM SC Chafekar to assume charge of SAASO, Maintenance Command". Nagpur Today. Nagpur. 30 June 2016.
    25. ^ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/list.php?qunit=IDS&qappt=ACIDS+%28Fin+Plan%29
    26. ^ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/list.php?qunit=AirHQ&qappt=PD+%28Ops%2C+Space%29
    27. ^ "Air Commodore Chafekar takes over 12 Wing command". Indian Express. Chandigarh. 3 May 2011.
    28. ^ Union Government, Weekly, 2015-04-04, Part I-Section 1, Ref. 1GI/2015 by Government of India(4 April 2015)
    29. ^ Gazette of India, 2009, No. 71 by Government of India (21 March 2009)
    30. ^ "If people knew about arms, they would not ask for proof". The Live Nagpur. Nagpur. 8 April 2019.
    31. ^ "Freedom of expression is not the right of obscenity". Loksatta. Nagpur. 27 September 2017.
    32. ^ "Balakot Airstrike, Abrogation of Article 370, What next..." The Hitavada. Nagpur. 1 September 2019.
    33. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (8 October 2017). "AN-32 LANDING AT DBO". The Hitavada. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    34. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (6 August 2018). "Destiny Is a Matter of Choice the Hitavada". The Hitavada. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    35. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (8 October 2018). "Saluting the Undaunted Spirit of Indian Air Force Part- I". The Hitavada. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    36. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (10 October 2018). "Saluting the Undaunted Spirit of Indian Air Force Part- II". The Hitavada. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    37. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (11 October 2018). "Saluting the Undaunted Spirit of Indian Air Force Part- III". The Hitavada. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    38. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (28 February 2019). "Balakot Attack : A Bold Step Indeed". The Hitavada. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    39. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (3 March 2019). "Balakot Attack". Maharashtra Times. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    40. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (28 February 2019). "Balakot Attack". Loksatta. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
    41. ^ "International support should be used to end terrorism". Loksatta. Nagpur. 2 March 2019.
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