Alexander Zelin

Alexander Nikolayevich Zelin (Russian: Александр Николаевич Зелин; born 6 May 1953) served as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force^[1] 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.^{[citation needed]}

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Nikolayevich and the family name is Zelin.

Alexander Nikolayevich Zelin
Native name	Александр Николаевич Зелин
Born	(1953-05-06) 6 May 1953 (age 71) Perevalsk, Ukrainian SSR, USSR
Allegiance	Soviet Union  Russia
Years of service	1976–2012
Rank	Colonel General
Commands	Russian Air Force
Awards	Order of St. George , Order of Merit

Biography

Zelin and Putin at MAKS 2011

Alexander Zelin was born on 6 May 1953, in Perevalsk, Voroshilovgrad region (now Luhansk Oblast in eastern Ukraine). He graduated from Kharkov Higher Aviation School of Pilots in 1976, Gagarin Air Force Academy in 1988, and General Staff Academy in 1997.

From August 2002 to May 2007 he served as Chief of aviation – Air Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief for aviation.

On May 9, 2007, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, replacing Army General Vladimir Mikhaylov.

On April 27, 2012, he was dismissed from his post and military service. No reason was given.^[2] 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

References

1. Usa, Ibp; Publications, USA International Business (2007-02-07). Russia Air Force Handbook. Int'l Business Publications. pp. 229–. ISBN 9781433041150. Retrieved 7 May 2012. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)
2. http://www.armstass.su/?page=article&aid=106155&cid=25 Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine (in Russian)

External links

• https://web.archive.org/web/20071204223315/http://www.mil.ru/eng/1862/12068/12088/12221/24062/index.shtml

Military offices
Preceded by Vladimir Mikhaylov	Commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force 9 May 2007 - 27 April 2012	Succeeded by Viktor Bondarev