Air Marshal P Kanakaraj took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, IAF today i.e. on 01 July 2013. He was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) branch of the Indian Air Force on 25 Jul 1977.
He is a Graduate Engineer (Mechanical) from Regional Engineering College, Trichy with post graduation in Propulsion from IIT Madras. Prior to his present assignment, he was the Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance at Air HQ. He has held various field and staff appointments which includes the Director General (Aircraft) and Director General (Systems) at Air HQ. He has been the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer at Western Air Command, Commandant Air Force Technical College, Principal Director at Air HQ, Commanding Officer at Air Armament Inspection Wing (AAIW) Khamaria and Chief Engineering Officer at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
Air Marshal Kanakaraj was conferred the Presidential awards of “Ati Vishisht Seva Medal” on 26 Jan 2012 and “Vishisht Seva Medal” on 26 Jan 2009 for his distinguished services of a high order.
He is married to Mrs Usha Kanakaraj. She has been actively involved in projects related to Empowerment of women through Air Force Wives Welfare Association. She has also so far endeavored to ensure good medical and educational facilities for the differently abled children. They have two sons who are engineering professionals. The Air Marshal is a keen golfer and loves to exercise at Gymnasium.