Hyderabad: Air Marshal J. Chalapati took over as the Commandant of Air Force Academy on 14 October 2019 from Air Marshal AS Butola.
An alumnus of prestigious National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, Air Marshal J Chalapati was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in Flying Branch on
22 December 1983. A qualified flying instructor and an experimental test pilot, the Air Marshal has flown about 3300 hours of operational and test flying on various types of fighter, transport and helicopters.
In his illustrious career spanning over 35 years in the Indian Air Force, he has held many important appointments like Commanding Officer of an operational squadron, Chief Operations Officer, Commanding Officer of Air Force Test Pilots School, Principal Director Air Staff Requirements, Air Officer Commanding of a frontline fighter base, Project Director (Flight Test) at National Flight Test Centre and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects). Prior to assuming the command of Air Force Academy, the Air Marshal was Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans) at Air Headquarters.
The Officer has completed course from National Defence College Bangladesh and holds a Masters Degree in Military Studies from Kings College London. For his distinguished service and professionalism of very high order, the Air Officer was conferred the Presidential Award of Vishisht Seva Medal.