Arup Raha

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha অরূপ রাহা PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
ACM Arup Raha after taking over as CAS in New Delhi on December 31, 2013.
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 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 MiG-21 fighter pilot in Dec 1974.

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.

Air Chief calls on PM

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

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

1. "Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief - The Times of India". The Times Of India. 2013-12-31.
2. "Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2013-12-31. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
3. "Central Air Command". Indianairforce.nic.in. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
4. "Arup Raha is new chief of staff". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
5. "Air Marshal Arup Raha to take over as IAF Vice Chief". Retrieved 2013-07-03.
6. "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.
7. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha's official profile
8. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-marshal-arup-raha-to-be-iaf-chief/1188816/
9. 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.