Czech Air Force Commander

Major General Petr Čepelka

Biography:

1983 – 1987
Mechanical Engineering School, Hronov
1987 – 1991
Military Aviation College Košice, aircraft and missile technology
2011 – 2012
Senior Officers course, National defence management – military science, defence planning, security and defence policy
2015 – 2016
Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2016
Conflict Management, Defence Academy Sandhurst
2017
Modular Short Course on Global Security Challenges, NATO Defense College, Rome
2019
Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors Course
2020 - 2021 - Strategic general staff course, Royal College of Defence Studies - London

1991 – 1992
Pilot, 1st Helicopter Squadron, 11th Helicopter Regiment, 1st Army, Plzeň
1992 - 1994
Pilot, flight controller and navigator, 11th Helicopter Regiment, Plzeň
1994 – 2003
Helicopter navigator and captain, 33rd Helicopter Air Force Base, Plzeň
2004 – 2008
Flight Safety Inspector, 23rd Helicopter Air Force Base, Přerov
2008 – 2010
Senior officer – specialist, Helicopter and Transport Aviation Section, Air Force Department, MoD Force Development – Operations Division
2011 - 2013
Senior officer – specialist, Head of Section – Chief of Helicopter and Transport Aviation, MoD Force Development – Operations Division
2013 – 2014
Head, Helicopter and Transport Aviation Section, MoD Force Development – Operations Division
2014 – 2015
Deputy Air Base Commander – Wing Commander; Commander of the 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base, Náměšť nad Oslavou
2016 - 2018
Commander, 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base, Náměšť nad Oslavou
2018 - 2022
Deputy Director, MoD Force Development Division
8 May 2019
Promoted Brigadier General
12 Jul 2022
Director, MoD Force Development Division
1 Nov 2022
Commander, Czech Air Force
8 May 2023
Promoted Major General

2008
Senior pilot, Czech Armed Forces 4th Contingent OMLT, FH and CRBN defence unit, ISAF, Afghanistan
2010 – 2011
Deputy Commander, Czech Air Mentoring Team Kabul, ISAF, Afghanistan

Czech Armed Forces Medal, 3rd & 2nd grade
Czech Armed Forces Service Medal, XX.
Service Abroad Medal of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, Afghanistan 3rd & 2nd grade
Czech Armed Forces honorary badge “Přemysl Otakar II, the King of Iron and Gold”
U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal
Czech Armed Forces honorary badge of merit, 3rd grade