Arup Raha

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Arup Raha
অরূপ রাহা

File:ACM Arup Raha, CAS.jpg
ACM Arup Raha after taking over as CAS in New Delhi on December 31, 2013.
Born (1954-12-26) December 26, 1954 (age 69)[1]
Baidyabati, West Bengal, India
Allegiance India India
Service/branch  Indian Air Force
Years of service 1975-
Rank Air Chief Marshal of IAF.png Air Chief Marshal[2]
Commands held AOC-in-C, Western Air Command
AOC-in-C, Central Air Command
47 Squadron IAF
Awards Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM)
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM)
Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg Vayusena Medal(VM)[3]
ADC

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (Bengali: অরূপ রাহা), PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC is the 21st and current Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force.[2] He is also the current Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, a post occupied by India’s senior-most military officer, who advises the government and ensures jointsmanship in the armed forces.[4] Raha previously served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force [5] and as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Western Air Command,[3] and that of the Central Air Command.[6] He has also served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters, Western Air Command and Deputy Commandant at Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.[7] He is a fighter pilot who has logged over 3,400 hours of flying experience.[6]

Early life and education

Air Chief Marshal Raha was born on 26 December 1954 in the city of Baidyabati, an area under the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority which is in the Indian State of West Bengal. His father was a reputed doctor. He was educated at Sainik School Purulia (1970 batch).[8][9]

Military Training

Raha was trained at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, India, from July 1970 to June 1973, and at the time of graduating from NDA in June 1973, he was awarded the Gold Medal for being the best cadet of the 44th NDA course. Subsequently he did flying training on HT-2 and Kiran ( HJT-16 ) at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, before being commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in Dec 1974. After flying Hunters in Operational Conversion Unit, he went on to fly Mig -21 aircraft.

Military career

Raha has flown has flown a wide variety of combat and trainer aircraft. After initial training on the HAL HT-2, he has flown the MIG-21 and MIG-29 aircraft and has commanded a MiG-29 fighter squadron and two frontline airbases along India's Western front. As on April 2, 2010, he had 3,400 hours of flying experience.[6]

Raha has held many important staff appointments in India and abroad.

Notable Appointments Held

Name of Appointment Rank Insignia Period
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Air Chief Marshal of IAF.png December 31, 2013 to present
Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Air Marshal of IAF.png July 1, 2013 to 31 Dec 2013
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command of the IAF Air Marshal Air Marshal of IAF.png June 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command of the IAF Air Marshal Air Marshal of IAF.png 02 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2012
Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command Air Vice Marshal Air Vice Marshal of IAF.png till 01 Nov 2011
Directing Staff at Flying Instructors School,Tambaram Air Commodore Air Commodore of IAF.png Unknown
Commanding Officer of No: 47 Squadron IAF Black Archers Wing Commander Wing Commander of IAF.png 8 June 1992 to 5 June 1994

Personal life

Raha is married to Lily Raha, and they have a son, Atanu, a commercial pilot, and a daughter, Anusree, who is currently working in Indian Economic Service.

Awards and decorations

Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vayu Sena Medal
Samanya Seva Medal
Operation Parakram Medal
Sainya Seva Medal
Videsh Seva Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal
30 Years Long Service Medal
20 Years Long Service Medal
9 Years Long Service Medal

References

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  7. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha's official profile
  8. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-marshal-arup-raha-to-be-iaf-chief/1188816/
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Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the Air Staff (India)
2013 - current
Incumbent
Preceded by Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
2014 - current
Incumbent