Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed was designated as the Chief of Air Staff on 27th February 2006 after having been in promising service for 34 years with the Pakistan Air Force. However, he assumed the charge as the Air Chief in March 2006 when Air Marshal Kaleem Sadat retired; thus becoming the 18th Chief of Air Staff. He got retired on 18th March 2009. His early education from a school in Lahore, coupled with the passion to be a pilot, equipped and enabled him to qualify for PAF Public School Sargodha for admission in the 8th grade.
Early Education and Training at PAF Academy Risalpur
His high school from PAF Public School Sargodha gave him the motivation to be nothing else but an officer of the Air Force. Thereafter, he joined PAF Academy, Risalpur in 1969 and was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force as a fighter pilot in April 1972.
A satisfying career at PAF
Air Marshal Tanvir is a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and is a graduate of Combat Commanders School (CCS), PAF's equivalent to US Navy's TOPGUN. He has commanded a fighter squadron, the choicest F-16s 38th Tactical Flying Wing, PAF Base Sargodha and his alma mater the PAF Academy, Risalpur. He has flown the American F-86 Sabre and F-16 Falcon aircraft and other aircraft of Chinese and French origin in the PAF inventory.
The Air Marshal has also served in United Arab Emirates Air Force as a fighter instructor pilot.
Commanding Positions during Service
In staff jobs, the air marshal has served many an important positions which include:
• Deputy Director in Operations Branch
• Personal Staff Officer to two air chiefs
• Chief Project Director of F-16 Project
• Senior Air Staff Officer at Northern Air Command, Peshawar
• Director-general of Air Weapon Complex
At senior staff assignments, the air marshal has the unique distinction of having served as:
• Deputy Chief of Air Staff Administration (DCAS – Admin)
• Deputy Chief of Air Staff Operations (DCAS – Ops)
• Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS)
Chief of Air Staff
He has taken bold initiatives as the Chief of Air Staff. Among his achievements are the successful induction and upgradation of ex-Libyan Mirage III's to make the 27th squadron of the PAF.
The air marshal has also introduced a new rank scheme for the Air Force officers, soon after taking over, which exactly mimics the Turkish Air Force rank system.
Air Marshal Tanvir – father of two pilots
He is father of four children, two of whom are pilots in the PAF.
Other Accolades
In recognition of his services, he has been decorated with Sitara-i-Basalat, Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military).
The air marshal is a graduate of Turkish Air War College and National Defence College, Islamabad from where he did his masters in Strategic Studies.
His strategy for the war against terror
Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmad has always expressed PAF capability to be able to stop any foreign attacks inside Pakistan as a violation of Pakistan sovereignty. However such military actions need approval from the government, before PAF goes on to take such action. Hence, the Air Chief believes that: "The decision as to whether or not we want to start a war [with any intruder] will have to be made by the nation and the Government.”
Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood has been able to steer the Air Force well. In spite of rising criticism regarding PAF’s role in the war against terror and related sovereignty issues, he has managed to maintain poise and manifested true leadership for his force – Pakistan Air Force. Ranging from issues regarding the grooming of pilots-to-be at the two Public Scools of PAF: Sargodha and LowerTopa (which are being administered by Foreign Professionals/Principals) to issues at the higher command of the Air Force; the Air Chief Marshal has led his force from the front in making it a mark of integrity and professionalism to say the least.
