​Air Marshal B Manikantan retires; notable role in Op Sindoor

Lucknow: Bringing to a close an illustrious career spanning four decades, Air Marshal B Manikantan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command, retired from the Indian Air Force on Sunday. As head of Central Air Command, he played a crucial role in enhancing operational readiness and ensuring effective execution of important missions, including notable contribution of the command’s combat assets during Operation Sindoor.

The occasion of his retirement was marked by a Commanders’ Conclave reviewing operational preparedness, along with a tree plantation drive. The ceremony concluded with a Guard of Honour and a tribute at the Command War Memorial.

Commissioned on Jun 7, 1986, he established himself as a skilled helicopter combat leader, accumulating around 5,555 flying hours across a wide range of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Throughout his career, he held several key command and staff appointments, earning recognition for his exceptional service with prestigious honours, including Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal. Air Marshal Manikantan focused on broader initiatives such as facilitating complex land acquisitions and strengthening civil-military cooperation.