Air Marshal S Neelakantan YSM, VM, took over as Air Officer in charge Personnel (AOP) at Air Headquarter (Vayu Bhawan) on 02 Feb 15. He was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force in Dec 1977. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington & TACDE, AF. He is a qualified flying instructor who has flown over 3100hrs on various types of Aircrafts. He has commanded a frontline fighter squadron and two flying bases. He led the Indian Air Force contingent in Congo as part of UN peace keeping mission in 2006-07. He has held various staff and instructional appointments. He was Director General of Inspection & Safety before taking over as AOP. He is decorated with the presidential awards Yudh Sewa Medal (YSM) and Vayu Sena Medal (VM). He is married to Mrs Uma Neelakantan and blessed with a daughter & son. He is a keen sportsman and plays Golf, Cricket & Badminton. He is a qualified open water scuba diver. His hobbies are cooking and sketching.