Arup Raha
| Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha अरूप राहा PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born |
December 26, 1954[1] Baidyabati, West Bengal, India |
| Allegiance | India |
| Service/branch |
 Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1975- |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal[2] |
| Commands held |
AOC-in-C, Western Air Command AOC-in-C, Central Air Command 47 Squadron IAF |
| Awards |
Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) Vayusena Medal(VM)[3] ADC |
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (Bengali: অরূপ রাহা), PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC is the current four-star air officer of the Indian Air Force and 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 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 |  | December 31, 2013 to present |
| Vice Chief of Air Staff | Air Marshal |  | July 1, 2013 to 31 Dec 2013 |
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command of the IAF | Air Marshal | | June 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 |
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command of the IAF | Air Marshal | | 02 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2012 |
| Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command | Air Vice Marshal |  | till 01 Nov 2011 |
| Directing Staff at Flying Instructors School,Tambaram | Air Commodore |  | Unknown |
| Commanding Officer of No: 47 Squadron IAF Black Archers | Wing Commander |  | 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
References
- ↑ "Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief - The Times of India". The Times Of India. 2013-12-31.
- 1 2 "Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2013-12-31. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- 1 2 "Central Air Command". Indianairforce.nic.in. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
- ↑ "Arup Raha is new chief of staff". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
- ↑ "Air Marshal Arup Raha to take over as IAF Vice Chief". Retrieved 2013-07-03.
- 1 2 3 "Arup Raha takes over as senior Air Staff Officer at WAC - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2010-04-02. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
- ↑ Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha's official profile
- ↑ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-marshal-arup-raha-to-be-iaf-chief/1188816/
- ↑ Jayanta Gupta (January 26, 2012). "Sainik School in Purulia turns 50, Air Marshal to be chief guest - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arup Raha. |
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Norman Anil Kumar Browne |
Chief of the Air Staff (India) 2013 - current |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Bikram Singh |
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee 2014 - current |
Incumbent |
| Commander, Indian Group (1919–1920) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Air Officer Commanding RAF, India (1920–1938) | ||
| Air Officer Commander-in-Chief, Air Forces in India (1938–1947) | ||
| Air Officer Commanding, Royal Indian Air Force (1947–1948) | ||
| Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Air Force (1948–1950) | ||
| Commander-in-Chief, Indian Air Force (1950–1955) | ||
| Chief of the Air Staff (1955–present) |
| |
(**Seconded from the Royal Air Force) | ||