: Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) will arrive at the Southern Air Command,Thiruvananthpuram on May 12 for a two-day official visit. He will be accompanied by Lily Raha, president, Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA). They will be received at the airport by Air Marshal A. P Garud, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, along with Sulochana Garud, president AFWWA (R), a press note issued here said.
On his arrival, the CAS will be presented a Guard of Honour by an Air Force contingent. During his two-day visit, the Air Chief Marshal will preside over the Commanders’ Conference of all Air Force units in the Southern region at the Southern Air Command.
The CAS will also interact with the personnel of Southern Air Command during various events which will be conducted in his honour.
Air Chief Marshal Raha is an experienced fighter pilot. He is Cat ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader with nearly 3,400 hrs flying experience, mainly on fighter aircraft. He has served as a Directing Staff at two premier institutes of IAF, the Flying Instructors School and the Tactics and Combat Development Establishment.
He has also served as an inspector in the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection at the Air Headquarters and as Staff Officer to the Chief of the Air Staff.
He was deputed as the Military and Air Attaché in the Embassy of India, Kiev, Ukraine from 1999 to 2001. He has held many operational assignments such as Commanding Officer of a MiG-29 Squadron, Station Commander as well as Air Officer Commanding of frontline Air Force Stations in Punjab and Advance Headquarters Western Air Command.
Ms. Lily Raha, president, AFWWA, will attend various welfare and social functions organised by Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional).
The Air Chief Marshal will preside over the Commanders’ Conference of Air Force units in the southern region..
