S M Abul Kalam Azad

S M Abul Kalam Azad (born April 30, 1967) is a two star Admiral of Bangladesh and the current Chairman of Mongla Port Authority. Previously, he held the posts of Director of Naval Intelligence & Naval Administrative Authority Dhaka at Naval Headquarter.

Early life and education
Sheikh Muhammad Abul Kalam Azad was born in Mohendrapur village of Kumarkhali Upazila of Kushtia District on April 30, 1967. He is the youngest son of late Sheikh Osman Gani and Khadeza Begum. He is a proud alumnus of Pabna Cadet College of 1st batch.

Military training
He joined Bangladesh Navy on January 1985 as officer cadet and was commissioned in executive brunch on July 1, 1987. During his career, Rear Admiral Azad went through various education and training courses both at home and abroad. Namely, he completed his International Sub Lieutenant Course (ISLC) in Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon, England and finished his initial staff course from Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London.

He went to Army Language School in Istanbul of Turkey in 1996 for Turkish language course and also did gunnery specialization course from Naval Training Centre in Istanbul of Turkey.

Admiral Azad successfully completed his command and staff course at the session 1999–2000 from Defence services command and staff college, Mirpur, Dhaka,Bngaladesh. And also is an alumnus of National Defence College, Mirpur. Furthermore, he completed International humanitarian law course from Hyderabad, India. He also got the opportunity to attend The Executive Decision Making Course from Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, United States.

Military career
Being a successful gunner, Admiral Azad commanded almost all types of ships and establishments. His sea command includes two frigates,. BNS Umar Farooq & BNS Osman. The two frigates are the first ever frigate & first ever guided missile frigate of Bangladesh Navy. The admiral also commanded two OPVs, BNS Sangu & BNS Madhumati. And lastly one small patrol craft BNS Tamjid. The Admiral's shore command includes two major Naval bases of Bangladesh Navy, BNS Titumir & BNS Issa Khan.

His key staff appointment includes Staff Officer of Naval Training (SOT), Staff officer operations (SOO) of Commander Khulna Naval area & Officer in charge of field intelligence staff (FIS), Khulna. Being a specialized gunnery officer the Admiral was also the officer in charge of Gunnery School, BNS Isa Khan.