ISLAMABAD, July 16: Two air vice marshals, Masood Akhtar and Raashid Kalim, have been promoted to the rank of air marshal, an ISPR press release here on Wednesday said.

Air Marshal Masood Akhtar was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force on October 8, 1972 in flying branch. He has flown all the fighter aircraft. He is a graduate of Flying Instructors’ School and Combat Commanders’ School.

He has qualified many courses like command and staff, air staff (Turkey) and armed forces war. During his career he has commanded a squadron, fighter wing and an operational base.

His key appointments include the directors-general, Air Intelligence and National Accountability Bureau (NAB), besides the Commandant, PAF Air War College, Faisal base, Karachi.

He has also served in Algerian Air Force on deputation. Presently he is performing his duties as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Training) at the Air headquarters, Chaklala.

He is the recipient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Basalat.

Air Marshal Raashid Kalim was commissioned in PAF on April 21, 1973, in flying branch.

He has also flown all the leading fighter aircraft held on PAF inventory. He is a graduate of Flying Instructors’ School.

He has qualified various courses such as operational Conversion, Defence Management, PN Staff College and Armed Force War.

During his career he performed as test pilot, commanded a flying wing and an operational base.

He has also served in Zimbabwean Air Force on deputation. His key appointments include, chief instructor at PAF Air War College Faisal, personnel staff officer to the Chief of the Air Staff, Director-General (Log) at Joint Staff headquarters and additional secretary-II in the defence ministry.

Presently, he is performing his duties as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel) at the Air headquarters, Chaklala.

He is the recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military).