ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: The government on Monday designated Air Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed as the next Chief of the Air Staff, said a press release issued by the directorate of Public Relations, Pakistan Air Force here.

He will assume the PAF command on March 20 on the retirement of the incumbent Air chief Air Marshal Kaleem Saadat.

The senior most officer of the Pakistan Air Force, Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed will continue to work as the Vice Chief of Air Staff till the retirement of Air Marshal Kaleem Saadat.

Air Marshal Ahmed is a graduate of Turkish Air War College and National Defence College, Islamabad from where he did his MSc in Strategic Studies.

He graduated from PAF Academy, Risalpur in April, 1972. He got his initial education in Lahore and joined the PAF after doing his F.Sc from PAF Public School, Sargodha. He did fighter and operational conversion courses.

A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and Combat Commander on fighter aircraft, he commanded Fighter Squadron, the choicest F-16s Flg Wing, PAF Base Sargodha and the PAF Academy, Risalpur.

In staff jobs, Air Marshal Ahmed served as Deputy Director in Operations Branch, Personal Staff Officer to two air chiefs, director of F-16 project, Senior Air Staff Officer at northern Air Command, Peshawar and director-general of Air Weapons Complex, Wah.

He has the unique distinction of having served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff administration and operations.

The Air Marshal has also served in UAE Air Force as a fighter instructor pilot.

The Air chief-designate is father of four children, two of whom are pilots in the PAF. In recognition of his services, he has been decorated with Sitara-i-Basalat, Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military).