Sanjeev Kapoor (air marshal)

Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor AVSM, VM
Personal details
Awards	Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vayu Sena Medal
Military service
Allegiance	India
Branch/service	Indian Air Force
Years of service	6 December 1985 - 30 November 2023[1]
Rank	Air Marshal
Unit	No.78 Squadron
Commands	National Defence Academy Air Force Academy
Service number	18089[1]

Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor, AVSM, VM is a retired officer of the Indian Air Force. He served as the Director General – Inspection and Flight Safety. He took over the office on 1 May 2022, succeeding Air Marshal Gurcharan Singh Bedi.[2][3]

Early life and education

Sanjeev Kapoor is an alumnus of Rashtriya Military School Chail, National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Flying Instructor School and College of Defence Management.[4] He has an elder daughter who is serving in the air force and a younger son who is a submariner in the Indian navy.

Career

Sanjeev Kapoor was commissioned in the flying branch of the Indian Air Force in December 1985. He has over 7800 hours of incident free flying on various trainer, transport and strategic aircraft.[1][4]

He is one of the stalwarts in Aerial Refueling Operations of the Indian Air Force and has flown the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. He had commanded the only Air to Air Refueling squadron No.78 Squadron of the Indian Air Force and has commanded a large operational base with strategic assets.[5]

In his career spanning over three decades, he has held important staff appointments such as director (air-to-air refueling) and principal director (operations) at Air Headquarters. He has vast experience in high-altitude and VVIP flying, air-to-air refuelling and combat operations.[1]

He served as the commandant – Air Force Academy from 1 August 2021 to 31 October 2021.[6]

Before taking the charge as Director General – Inspection and Flight Safety, he served as the Commandant – National Defence Academy till 31 March 2022.[7]

He superannuated on 30 November 2023 and was succeeded by Air Marshal Markand Ranade.[8]

Honours and decorations

During his career, Sanjeev Kapoor has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (VM) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.[6]

Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

Vayusena Medal

References

1. "Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor - Bharat Rakshak". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
2. "Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor assumes the Appointment of Director General (Inspection and Safety)" (Press release). PIB. 5 May 2022.
3. "New Armed Forces officers assume charge at the tri-services and services level". New Indian Express. 1 April 2022.
4. "Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor, AVSM, VM Assumes Charge As Commandant, NDA, Khadakwasla". PIB. 1 November 2021. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
5. "New Commandant at AFA-Dundigal". The Hindu. 2 August 2021.
6. "Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor is new NDA commandant". Times Of India. 2 November 2021.
7. "4 changes effected in top echelons of Army, Navy". The Print. 1 April 2022.
8. "AIR MARSHAL MAKARAND RANADE TAKES OVER AS DIRECTOR GENERAL (INSPECTION AND SAFETY) AT AIR HQ" (Press release). PIB. 1 December 2023.

Military offices
Preceded by Gurcharan Singh Bedi	Director General - Inspection and Flight Safety 1 May 2022 – Present	Succeeded by Markand Ranade
Preceded by Vipin Indira Panabhan Nayar	Commandant - National Defence Academy 1 November 2021 — 31 March 2022	Succeeded by Ajay Kochhar
Preceded by Vipin Indira Panabhan Nayar	Commandant – Air Force Academy 1 August 2021 – 31 October 2021	Succeeded by Sreekumar Prabhakaran