Anil Kumar Chawla
Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief - Indian Navy -Southern Command
Air Marshal Ravi Gopal Krishna Kapoor was commissioned into the Fighter stream of Indian Air Force on 07 Jun 1986. The Air Marshal is a Cat ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College and College of Air Warfare. He has flown over 5000 hours across the entire spectrum of fighter and trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
During his career spanning more than 38 years, he has held many field and staff appointments at Operational Commands, Training Establishments and Air Headquarters. He Commanded a Fighter Squadron, an IAF contingent in UN mission in Congo and was Air Officer Commanding of a frontline operational fighter base. He was Chief Instructor (Flying) at Air Force Academy, Principal Director Intelligence, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Space) and (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters. He was India’s Air and Defence Attaché at Embassy of India in USA. He was the IAF spokesperson during Balakot strikes in 2019.
He has been the Air Defence Commander, Senior Air Staff Officer and Air Officer Commanding in Chief of Central Air Command. He was also the Deputy Commander in Chief of the tri services Strategic Forces Command prior to taking over as Air Officer Commanding in Chief of Central Air Command from where he superannuated on 31 Aug 24.
The Air Marshal is recipient of Pram Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal. He also has been commended thrice by Chief of the Air Staff and AOC-in-Cs. He currently writes articles and contributes to growth of defence eco system in India.
