Jamal A. Khan

Air Chief-Marshal Jamal Ahmad Khan (Urdu: جمال احمدخان; April 15, 1934; SBt, SJ, NI(M)) was a high-profile military figure and the four-star air officer serving as the eleventh Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force from March 6, 1985 until March 9, 1988. Commissioned in the air force in 1953, Khan graduated from the Air Force Academy and became a fighter pilot in the PAF. His air force career saw the actions in 1965 war and the 1971 war with India, eventually becoming the senior staff officer. Khan was the first PAF fighter pilot to have operate and fly the supersonic fighter, F-16 Fighting Falcon.

He was the first Vice Chief of the Air Staff in the history of PAF to have eventually been appointed its Chief. He is also the only PAF officer to have commanded two Air Forces - those of the UAE and Pakistan. He is also the first Pakistani to fly the F-16

Career
Jamal Ahmad Khan was born in 1934 and commissioned as a fighter pilot on 11 June 1953 in the 13th GD(P) Course. He was selected to join the first PAF jet squadron of Supermarine Attackers. He served in fighter squadrons for six years before becoming instructor of the prestigious Flight Leaders' School. Subsequently he commanded No. 9 Squadron (F-104s) from 1962 to 1965. He also commanded No. 33 Wing for two years. During the 1965 war, he flew thirty operational missions and was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat for his courage and aggressive leadership in the air. During the 1971 war, he held senior staff appointment at the Command Operations Center (COC).

Staff appointments
Some of his staff appointments include Director of Flight Safety and Plans, Chief Inspector at AHQ and ACAS (Plans). He also commanded Sargodha Airbase (1973–1975) and was seconded to the United Arab Emirates Air Force as its chief for three years (1977–1980). He was then appointed ACAS (Operations) for a short period before taking over as DCAS (Operations). He was promoted to Air Marshal in March 1984 and took over as Vice Chief of Air Staff in April 1984. He then replaced Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim as Chief of Air Staff in March 1985.