Arup Raha

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha অরূপ রাহা PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
Arup Raha at the Golden Jubilee of Sainik School, Purulia on January 29, 2012.
Born	26 December 1954[1] Baidyabati, West Bengal, India
Allegiance	India
Service/branch	Indian Air Force
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 Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force^[2] A fighter pilot who has logged over 3,400 hours of flying experience, ^[4] He previously served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force.^[5] Prior to that, ACM Raha served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Western Air Command.^[3] and that of the Central Air Command.^[4]

ACM Raha has also served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters, Western Air Command and Deputy Commandant at Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.^[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. Raha was educated at Sainik School Purulia (1970 batch).^[7][8]

Military Training

Air Chief Marshal 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.

Military career

Air Chief Marshal Raha has commanded a MiG-29 fighter squadron and two frontline airbases along India's Western front. Air Chief Marshal Raha has held many important staff appointments in India and abroad.
Following are some of the notable appointments held by Air Chief Marshal Raha :

Chief of Air Staff
(from December 31, 2013 to present)
(Air Chief Marshal)

Vice Chief of Air Staff
(from July 1, 2013 to 31 Dec 2013 )
(Air Marshal)

Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command of the IAF
(Air Marshal) ( From June 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 )

Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command
(Air Marshal) (From 02 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2012 )

Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command ( till 01 Nov 2011 )
(Air Vice-Marshal)

Directing Staff at Flying Instructors’ School, Tambaram, Chennai.

Commanding Officer of No: 47 Squadron IAF Black Archers (8 June 1992 to 5 June 1994 )

Air Chief Marshal Raha has flown an array of combat and trainer aircraft including the MiG-21 and MiG-29.^[9] As on April 2, 2010, he had 3,400 hours of flying experience.^[4]

Appointment as Chief of IAF

On 29 October 2013, the Government of India appointed Air Marshal Raha, who was the Vice Chief of Air Staff at that time, to be the next Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. He took the charge on 31 December 2013, when the Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne retired.^[10]

Flight information

• Flight hours: more than 3,400.^[4]
• Aircraft flown: MiG-21, MiG-29, Dassault Rafale (winner of the MMRCA competition) and HAL HT-2.^[9]

Awards and decorations

	Param Vishisht Seva Medal
	Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
	Vayusena Medal
	ADC

References

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