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Friday, March 20, 2009

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman takes over as PAF’s new chief

By M S Baig

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman HI (M), S Bt on took over as new Chief of the Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force at a ceremony held here at the Air Headquarters. The out going Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed formally handed over the PAF’s Sword of Command to the in-coming Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman. Both the out-going and in-coming Chiefs of the Air Staff were presented guards of honor separately to formally mark the change of command.Earlier, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir pinned badges on the shoulders of Air Marshal Rao, formally promoting him to the rank of Air Chief Marshal.

Air Chief Marshal Tanvir while delivering farewell address termed the occasion a happy augury that he was handing over the command of the world’s one of the best air forces to a worthy officer of PAF.He expressed the hope that the PAF would continue to flourish in the days to come as a number of contracts for acquiring modern air fleet, command systems and weaponry are in the phases of accomplishment.He said more punch and agility is being added to the PAF.He recalled that three years back when he took over the command the force was facing numerous challenges in various sectors and all these were successfully met by the grace of Allah Almighty during the course.He reposed confidence in the new leadership of the force and said Air Chief Marshal Rao is competent enough to take the PAF forward to make it a force of the 21st century.He urged the officers and men to fully equip themselves with the modern knowledge and skill to step forward as a real force of 21st century.The ceremony was attended by former Air Chiefs and their families, besides senior serving PAF officers, men and their families.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman who took over as new Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force on Wednesday is an accomplished fighter pilot with rich experience on Mirages. He is the architect of anti-surgical strike strategy which barred India to carry out her dirty designs of carrying out strikes against Pakistan in aftermath of the Mumbai attacks. Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Rao at that time held the most important post of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) in PAF. ACM Rao received his early education at PAF Public School, Sargodha and joined Pakistan Air Force after graduated from PAF Academy, Risalpur in June 1975. After doing his Fighter and Operational Conversion Courses, he initially flew the American F-86 (Sabre), and later all types of Chinese and French fighter aircraft on PAF inventory. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and has been an instructor at the prestigious Combat Commanders’ School. He commanded an elite Fighter Squadron, Fighter Flying Wing and a Fighter PAF Base.

In staff jobs at Air Headquarters, ACM Rao has served as Deputy Director in Operations Branch, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) at the inspector General’s Branch. In Senior Staff assignments, he has the distinction of having served as commandant PAF Air War college, Air Officer commanding, Southern Air Command, Director General, Air Force strategic Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations). He has also served in the UAE Air Force as an instructor pilot in a Fighter Squadron. He is a graduate of the PAF Air War College, Faisalabad and National Defence University, Islamabad from where he did his M.SC in Strategic Studies. He is married and blessed with three children. In recognition of his meritorious and exceptionally dedicated services, he has been decorated with the awards of Sitara-i-Basalat, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military).

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