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Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar

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  • Comment: This still reads like a resume, praising the subject, and needs more external news sources to show neutrality. AngusWOOF (bark • sniff) 15:47, 4 October 2019 (UTC)
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
Battles/warsOperation Pawan
Operation Cactus
Awards Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Shaurya Chakra
Other workDefence Analyst, 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.His was serving as the Senior Air and Administration Staff Officer[1], Maintenance Command, IAF from 01 July 2016 till he retired on 30 September 2017. He was the commanding officer of No. 48 Squadron IAF, during his tenure he landed Antonov An-32 aircraft on various High Altitude Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Daulat Beg Oldi[2][3], Fukche[4] and Nyoma[5].

Early life and education

Suryakant Chintaman Chafekar was born on 27th September, 1959 to Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar and Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar.[6] Captain Chintaman Vishnu Chafekar was an officer in Territorial Army (India)[7] and a social activist.[8] Vijaya Chintaman Chafekar was a school principal. He belongs to Nagpur.
He is an alumnus of Dharampeth Science College, Nagpur; Air Force Academy (India), Dundigal; Flying Instructors School; Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu[9]; College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad.

Military career

Chafekar was commissioned as Pilot officer in Transport stream of Indian Air Force on 29th Dec 1982. He has held various important Command, Staff and Instructor appointments during his career. He is considered to be an expert in flying fixed wing aircraft in Himalayan Region. 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.[10]

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.[11][12]. He managed to fly the aircraft, now on a single operational engine and land it at Indian Air Force airfield at Leh.

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

On 31 May 2008, during the tenure as the commanding officer of No. 48 Squadron IAF[13][14], AVM SC Chafekar executed a successful 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.[15] [16][17] He was awarded Shaurya Chakra[18] by President of India for this mission.

Aeriel view of Fukche ALG

On 4 November 2008, 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.[19]


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

On 18 September 2009, around 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.[20][21]


During his career he has also been awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal[22] by President of India for his service to 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

Awards

AVM SC Chafekar presented with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2015
AVM SC Chafekar presented with Shaurya Chakra at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2009








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], provides insight a Defense analyst [32]. He has published articles in many noted Indian newspapers including The Hitavada[33],The Times of India[34] ,Loksatta.[35]

References

  1. ^ "AVM SC Chafekar to assume charge of SAASO, Maintenance Command". Nagpur Today. Nagpur. 30 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Flight of the camels". The Tribune. Chandigarh. 8 November 2009.
  3. ^ "IAF Aircraft lands at the highest Airstrip in the world". Economic Times. Chandigarh. 31 May 2009.
  4. ^ "IAF opens airstrip close to LAC". Deccan Herald. Chandigarh. 19 September 2009.
  5. ^ "IAF opens new airstrip in Ladakh nearer to China border". Economic Times. Chandigarh. 18 September 2009.
  6. ^ http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar
  7. ^ "Teach India: A captain's army of achievers". The Times of India. Nagpur. 14 January 2009.
  8. ^ "He sacrificed his today for their tomorrow". The Times of India. Nagpur. 28 January 2012.
  9. ^ "Air Cmde S C Chafekar to take over 12 Wing command tomorrow". The Indian Express. Chandigarh. 1 May 2011.
  10. ^ "AVM SC Chafekar to assume charge of SAASO,IAF MC". Business Standard. Nagpur. 1 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Controversy surrounding air force brass affects India's readiness against Pakistan". India Today. 1 April 2002.
  12. ^ Chhina, Man Aman Singh (1 May 2011). "Surviving a missile and an Air Marshal". {{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. ^ "Air Force Station rose above the rest". The Times of India. Chandigarh. 29 December 2008.
  16. ^ "IAF Aircraft Lands at the Highest Airstrip Daredevils at DBO". Chandigarh. 15 June 2008.
  17. ^ 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)
  18. ^ http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/group-captain-suryakant-chintaman-chafekar
  19. ^ Dutta, Sujan (5 November 2008). "IAF lands on Ladakh strip". The Telegraph (Kolkata). Kolkata.
  20. ^ "IAF opens new airstrip in Ladakh". The Hindu. Chandigarh. 18 September 2009.
  21. ^ Joshi, Arun. "IAF touches base closer to China". Hindustan Times.
  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. ^ "Surykant Chafekar And Shailendra Devlankar Reaction On Pakistan To Release IAF_s Wing Commander Abhinandan". Zee 24 Taas (in Marathi). 1 March 2019. Zee5.
  33. ^ "Balakot Airstrike, Abrogation of Article 370, What next..." The Hitavada. Nagpur. 1 September 2019.
  34. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (3 March 2019). "Balakot Attack". Maharashtra Times. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  35. ^ Chafekar, Suryakant Chintaman (28 February 2019). "Balakot Attack". Loksatta. Nagpur. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)


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