Wing Commander Balakrishnan Suresh (16206) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned on 13 Dec 80 in the flying branch of IAF. An accomplished professional, he has over 2200 hours of fighter flying to his credit. He is a Fighter Strike Leader (FSL) with the distinction of two instructional tenures at the Tactical and Air Combat Development Establishment.

Wg Cdr Suresh was appointed the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron on 24 Aug 98. On taking over command, he faced the twin challenges of low aircraft availability and low operational status of pilots mainly in the op and strike roles. A thorough analysis of the situation revealed that while improvement of role-qualifications was an operational necessity, resources would be hard to come by. Through a concerted and well-focused training effort, he affected a quantum jump in the status of his squadron. The squadron armament results showed a noticeable improvement under his watchful guidance.

Enhanced operational readiness saw his squadron ready and willing to go whenever called upon. He responded promptly during the mobilisation for Op Safed Sagar and the build-up during the Sri Lankan contingency. His squadron accredited itself in exemplary fashion during the annual joint Navy Air exercise off the Eastern seaboard.

The Commanding Officer had to call upon the very best of his managerial skills in juggling scarce aircraft resources. Through close interaction with his maintenance staff, he ensured maximum support for his operations. Meaningful interaction with Wing and Command staff fetched real time solutions for his operational and maintenance problems. At the same time, his humane approach towards his men and their problems resulted in a large number of meaningful welfare measures being instituted for the overall improvement of his unit.For exceptional devotion to duty, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Wing Commander Balakrishnan Suresh.

Group Captain Balakrishanan Suresh, VM (16206) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 13 December 1980. During his 23 years of service he has held various important field and staff appointments which include CO of a fighter Squadron and two tenures as Directing Staff at Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE). He is a Fighter Strike Leader (FSL) with 2390 hours of flying to his credit. He was commended by AOs-in-C of WAC (1989) and SWAC (1993 and awarded Vayu Seva Medal (VM) in 2001 for bringing about improvement in operational status and capability of the Squadron commanded by him. Presently he is posted as Commandant TACDE since 25 November 2002. A sever shortage of FSLs, Fighter Combat Leaders (FCL), Master Fighter Controllers (MFC) and Helicopter Combat Leaders (HCL) developed in the field between May 2001 and October 2002. After taking over as Commandant in November 2002, Group Captain Suresh ensured the completion of two FCL/ FSL/MFC course and one HCL course. As Commandant TACDE, Group Captain Suresh was nominated as the Director for Exercise Cope India 2004, a major Indo-US Air Force exercise involving air superiority aircraft. The entire process of planning, training of own forces and conduct of the exercise started in September 2003 concurrently with the heavy training commitments of TACDE. The exercise was successfully conducted as per plan. Group Captain Suresh led his team in a highly professional manner. During this period, TACDE also undertook several additional task like formulation of Standard Operating Procedures for Laser Guided Bombs, revision of type specific Briefing Guides for Air Defence and Ground Attack aircraft, development of Compo GPS as an effective debrief tool and formulation of Multi-level ingress philosophy as well as BVR tactics.

Group Captain Balakrishanan Suresh, VM has thus rendered service of an exceptional order.