Rao Qamar takes over command of PAF

Air Chief Marshal, Rao Qamar Suleman took over the command of Pakistan Air Force as the outgoing PAF chief, Air Chief Marshal, Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed formally handed over the Sword of Command of PAF in the change of command ceremony held at the Air Headquarters. Both the out-going and in-coming Chiefs of the Air Staff were presented guards of honour separately to formally mark the change of command.
Earlier, the outgoing Air Chief inspected the guard of honour and addressed the ceremony saying that the air force has always faced the challenges valiantly and will continue to play its role for the defence of Pakistan. We have entered into the new millennium and the Air Force would have to be equipped with high-tech equipment, he added.
Further, We have decided to change and it was underway. PAF has always faced the challenges valiantly and will continue to play its role for the defence of Pakistan, he said. The Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, who took over as new Chief of the Air Staff, PAF, is an accomplished fighter pilot with rich experience on Mirages.
He is the architect of anti-surgical strike strategy, which barred India to carry out its dirty designs of carrying out strikes against Pakistan in aftermath of the Mumbai attacks. Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Rao at that time held the most important post of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) in PAF.
ACM Rao received his early education at PAF Public School, Sargodha and joined Pakistan Air Force after graduating from PAF Academy, Risalpur in June 1975. After doing his Fighter and Operational Conversion Courses, he initially flew the American F-86 (Sabre), and later all types of Chinese and French fighter aircraft on PAF inventory.
He is a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and has been an instructor at the prestigious Combat Commanders School. He commanded an elite Fighter Squadron, Fighter Flying Wing and a Fighter PAF Base. In staff jobs at Air Headquarters, ACM Rao has served as the Deputy Director in Operations Branch, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) at the inspector Generals Branch.
Rao Qamar has the distinction of having served as the commandant PAF Air War college, Air Officer commanding, Southern Air Command, Director General, Air Force strategic Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations). He has also served in the UAE Air Force as an instructor pilot in a Fighter Squadron. He is a graduate of the PAF Air War College, Faisalabad and National Defence University, Islamabad from where he did his MSC in Strategic Studies.