Pakistan appoints new chief of air force

ISLAMABAD: Air Marshal Sohail Aman, an accomplished fighter pilot, was today appointed as the chief of Pakistan Air Force.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said in a statement that the new air chief will take over tomorrow after his predecessor Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt retires.

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

He is a graduate of Combat Commanders' School, Air War College and Royal College of Defence Studies (UK) and his career encompasses a wide range of operational, training and command assignments.

During his career in PAF, he has flown various types of fighter and training aircraft on PAF Inventory.

He has commanded a Fighter Squadron, Combat Commanders' School, an Operational Air Base and Regional Air Command, the statement added. Presently he is serving as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, (Operations) at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

Air Marshal Butt was appointed in 2012 when his predecessor Rao Qamar Suleiman retired.