Aleksandr Zelin

Alexander Nikolayevich Zelin (born 6 May 1953) served as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force from 9 May 2007 until 27 April 2012. Zelin holds the Air Force rank of colonel-general. Since May 2012 Zelin has been an adviser to the Russian Defence Minister.

Early life and education Alexander Zelin was born on 6 May 1953, in Perevalsk, Voroshilovgrad Oblast, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (now Luhansk Oblast in eastern Ukraine). He graduated from Kharkov Higher Aviation School of Pilots (now part of the Ivan Kozhedub National University of the Air Force) in 1976 as a distinguished graduate. Zelin's later education included the Gagarin Air Force Academy, graduating in 1988, and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia in 1997.

Military career

Zelin began his service in the 787th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, stationed at Eberswalde, East Germany. He went on to hold several command roles, and during the 1980s he was the deputy commander of the 115th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment in the Turkestan Military District. He was succeeded by Viktor Bondarev.

Honours and awards

Russian Federation Honoured Military Pilot of the Russian Federation Order of St. George, 2nd class Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 4th class Order of Military Merit Medal For Strengthening Military Cooperation (Min Def) Medal "200 Years of the Ministry of Defence" (Min Def) Medal "For Distinguished Military Service" 1st Class

Soviet Union Order of the Red Star Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR" Jubilee Medal "70 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR" Medals "For Impeccable Service" 2nd and 3rd classes