ISLAMABAD: The government named on Wednesday Air Marshal Sohail Aman as the next Chief of Air Staff (CAS). Air Marshal Aman would succeed retiring Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt. The government announced the decision a day before ACM Butt’s retirement.

“Air Marshal Sohail Aman has been promoted as new Chief of Air Staff. On the recommendation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain has given formal approval,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a brief statement.

The change of command will take place on Thursday.

Air Marshal Aman was appointed as the CAS after superseding two senior air marshals. Those superseded by him were the senior-most officer Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan, who was working as vice chief of air staff, and Air Marshal Jamshed Khan, the deputy chief of air staff (support).

Air Marshal Aman is serving as deputy chief of air staff (operations). As head of the operations directorate, he has remained involved in the Zarb-i-Azb operation.

Soon after announcement of the decision to appoint him as air chief, Air Marshal Aman called on Prime Minister Sharif, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah.

Air Marshal Aman was commissioned in the GD (P) Branch of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in November, 1980.

The PAF’s media directorate said: “Air Marshal Aman is an accomplished fighter pilot. He is a graduate of the Combat Commanders’ School, Air War College and Royal College of Defence Studies (UK).”

In his career, the new air chief held a number of operational, training and command assignments. He has flown various types of fighter and training aircraft on the PAF inventory.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play