ISLAMABAD: Air Marshal Arshad Malik was named as the vice chief of air staff (VCAS) on Monday.

This is the first major appointment in Pakistan Air Force after last week’s change in command when Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan took over as the air chief.

The new VCAS was earlier posted as deputy chief of air staff (personnel). His predecessor in VCAS’ office Air Marshal Farooq Habib was superseded during the appointment of the air chief. Air Marshal Malik, 56, was commissioned in the PAF as a fighter pilot in 1983. He has flown various trainer and fighter aircraft, including Mirage, F-6, F-7P, and F-7PG, PAF’s media directorate said, adding the new VCAS has commanded a fighter squadron, a flying wing, an operational air base and a regional air command.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2018