Pakistan Chief of the Air Staff calls on Commander of the Navy

Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt called on Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo on 28th August 2014. He was accorded a Guard of Honour and warmly received by the Commander of the Navy on arrival.

They held cordial discussions and exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.

The Pakistan Chief of the Air Staff is in Sri Lanka on a three-day official visit at the invitation of Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke.

Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, NI (M), TBt, is a graduate of the Pakistan Air Force Academy. He has flown various types of fighters and training aircraft on PAF Inventory. He is a qualified Flying Instructor and Combat Commander on Fighters. He has commanded an elite Fighter Squadron, a Fighter Flying Wing and two PAF Bases.

The Air Chief Marshal has served as Deputy Director Plans, Director Flight Safety, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (P-O) and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training). He also has the distinction of having served as Director General, National Accountability Bureau, (KPK); Commandant National Security College, NDU; Air Officer Commanding Southern Air Command, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel) and Vice Chief of the Air Staff. He is a graduate of Staff College, Turkey and National Defence University, Islamabad.

Air Chief Marshal Butt is the 20th Air Chief of the Pakistan Air Force. In recognition of his meritorious and exceptionally dedicated services, he has been decorated with the awards of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military), Hilal-i-Imtiz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (military) and Tamgha-i-Baslat. For enhancing bilateral cooperation he has also been awarded “The Legion of Merit of the Turkish Armed forces” by the Republic of Turkey and “Royal Thai Air Force Honorary Pilot Badge and Certificate” by the Royal Thai Air Force.