Arup Raha
| Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born |
26 December 1954[1] Baidyabati, West Bengal, India |
| Allegiance | India |
| Service/ |
 |
| Years of service | 1975-2016 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal[2] |
| Commands held |
Chief of the Air Staff Vice Chief of the Air Staff Western Air Command 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 PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC was the 24th Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force and server from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2016.[2] He was also the 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][5]
Early life and education
Air Chief Marshal Raha was born in a Bengali family 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).[6][7]
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 2 April 2010, he had 3,400 hours of flying experience.[5] Raha previously served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force [8] and as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Western Air Command,[3] and that of the Central Air Command.[5] He has also served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters, Western Air Command and Deputy Commandant at Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.[9]
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 |  | 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2016 |
| Vice Chief of Air Staff | Air Marshal |  | 1 July 2013 to 31 Dec 2013 |
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command of the IAF | Air Marshal | | 1 June 2012 to 30 June 2013 |
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command of the IAF | Air Marshal | | 2 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2012 |
| Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command | Air Vice Marshal |  | till 1 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
Arup Raha is married to Lily Raha and they have two children. The son, Atanu, is a commercial pilot who is married to Sanskriti Chatterjee Raha, a professional Kathakali dancer. The daughter, Anusree, is currently working in the Indian Economic Service and is married to Bodhisattwa Biswas, an alumnus of Indian School of Business.
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". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 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.
- 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.
- ↑ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/air-marshal-arup-raha-to-be-iaf-chief/1188816/
- ↑ Jayanta Gupta (26 January 2012). "Sainik School in Purulia turns 50, Air Marshal to be chief guest - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
- ↑ "Air Marshal Arup Raha to take over as IAF Vice Chief". Retrieved 2013-07-03.
- ↑ Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha's official profile
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arup Raha. |
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Norman Anil Kumar Browne |
Chief of the Air Staff (India) 31 December 2013 – 31 December 2016 |
Succeeded by Birender Singh Dhanoa |
| Preceded by Bikram Singh (general) |
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee 31 July 2014 – 31 December 2016 |
Succeeded by Sunil Lanba |
| Preceded by Norman Anil Kumar Browne |
Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India) 1 July 2013 – 31 December 2013 |
Succeeded by Ravi Kant Sharma |
| 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) | ||