| Air Chief Marshal Lakshman Madhav Katre PVSM, AVSM ** | |
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| Born | 26 January 1927 Madras |
| Died | 1 July 1985(1985-07-01) (aged 58) Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India |
| Allegiance |  British India (1946–1947) India (from 1947) |
| Service |  Royal Indian Air Force Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1946–1985 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Awards | Param Vishist Seva Medal Ati Vishist Seva Medal |
| 12th Chief of the Air Staff | |
| In office 4 September 1984 – 1 July 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Dilbagh Singh |
| Succeeded by | Denis La Fontaine |
Air Chief Marshal Lakshman Madhav Katre, PVSM, AVSM and Bar (1927–1985) was the head of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from 1984 to 1985, as Chief of the Air Staff and the second IAF Chief of Staff to die in harness. He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Bar.
He hailed from the Konkani community and completed his schooling from The Doon School, Dehradun, India. He joined the Royal Indian Air Force on 3 Aug 1944 as an officer cadet and was granted an emergency commission in the General Duties (Pilot) branch on 9 Apr 1945.
In his career in the lAF, he commanded with distinction squadrons, stations and the Air Force Academy. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he successfully conducted uninterrupted operations from one of the most forward airfields, which was regularly attacked by the Pakistan Air Force. This was due to his meticulous planning.
As the Commandant of the Air Force Academy at Dundigal, he expanded the facilities to cater for the training of ground duty officers. Flying activity at the base was successfully reoriented for advance training on jet aircraft and a safety record was achieved during his tenure. On completion of a Royal College of Defence Studies course in England in 1976, he was appointed Senior Air Staff officer of a major air command. Under his direction, the operational effectiveness of the forces in the command increased greatly. With his wide experience of fighter flying, he was able to conduct various air exercises which simulated realistic battle conditions.
In 1983, he also served as the Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
He died suddenly while still serving, on 1 July 1985.
The Katre House in The Air Force School (Subroto Park) was named after him.
Military honours and awards
  
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References
- ^ "Air Chief Marshal Lakshman Madhav Katre". Indian Air Force.
- "Indian Air Force Gallantry & Service Awards Register [www.bharat-rakshak.com]". Bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
- "Indian Air Force :: Lakshman Mohan Katre". Bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
- "Mangaluru: Portraits of three Indian defence heroes unveiled at World Konkani Centre". Daiji World. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- Hindu, The (15 April 2011). "LM Katre Memorial Lecture". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- "Taliban threat from Af-Pak real: Air Force chief". India Today. 29 April 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byDilbagh Singh | Chief of the Air Staff (India) 1984–1985 |
Succeeded byDenis La Fontaine |
| Preceded byJ. D. Aquino | Commandant of the Air Force Academy 1972 - 1975 |
Succeeded byH. R. Chitnis]] |
| Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force | ||
|---|---|---|
| Air Marshal Commanding, Royal Indian Air Force (1947–1948) |  | |
| Chief of the Air Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Air Force (1948–1950) | ||
| Chief of the Air Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Air Force (1950–1955) | ||
| Chief of the Air Staff (1955–present) |
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| (**Seconded from the Royal Air Force) | ||