Pakistan Air Chief Arrives In Sri Lanka
Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt NI (M),TBt, the Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force arrived in Sri Lanka today (28) accompanied by his spouse and a delegation of two senior Officers.
The Air Chief Marshal and his spouse along with their entourage were received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke and Mrs. Roshani Gunatilleke.
Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt was born in 1955 and received his early education at PAF Public School, Sargodha. Subsequently, he joined Pakistan Air Force and graduated from PAF Academy, Risalpur in March, 1977. After doing his Fighter and Operational Conversion Courses, he has flown various types of fighters and training aircraft on PAF Inventory. He is a qualified Flying Instructor and also a Combat Commander on Fighters. He has commanded an elite Fighter Squadron, a Fighter Flying Wing and two PAF Bases.
In staff duties at Air Headquarters, the Air Chief Marshal has served as Deputy Director Plans, Director Flight Safety, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (P-O) in Personnel Branch and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training). In senior staff assignments, The Air Chief Marshal has the distinction of having served as Director General National Accountability Bureau (KPK) Commandant National Security College, NDU, Air Officer Commanding Southern Air Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel). He is an alumnus of Staff College, Turkey and National Defence University, Islamabad from where he did his M Sc in Defence and Strategic Studies.
Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, who is the 20th Air Chief of Pakistan Air Force assumed the Command of the PAF. He is married and blessed with three children. In recognition of his meritorious and exceptionally dedicated services, he has been decorated with the awards of Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Basalat.
During their stay, the delegation will visit the OCDS, Sri Lanka Army and Navy Headquarters, Air Force Academy China Bay, Trincomalee and SLAF Base Katunayake. The delegation will meet with the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksha, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commanders of the Armed Forces during the visit. (HC/SLA)
