Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh-Icon of India's Military History
(1) Date of Birth: 15 April, 1919
(2) Qualifications: Empire Pilot Training Course
at RAF (Cranwell)
(3) Responsibilities:
first assignment to fly Westland Wapiti biplanes in No.1 RIAF Squadron
brief stint in No.2 RIAF Squadron; moved back to No.1 RIAF Squadron as Flying Officer
overall commander of 'Shiksha
led the IAF during the 1965 Indo-Pak war
led a squadron against the Japanese during the Arakan Campaign; assisted the advance of Allied Forces to Yangoon
led a fly-past on August 15, 1947
commanded Ambala in the rank of Group Captain; took over as AOC of an operational command
took over reins of the IAF
ambassador to Switzerland; Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
(4) Achievements:
selected for the Empire Pilot Training Course at
RAF (Cranwell) in 1938, at age 19
promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in
1944
led a fly-past over the Red Fort on August 15, 1947
promoted to the rank of Wing Commander; promoted to the rank of Air Commodore in 1949 longest tenure as AOC (1949-1952 and 1957-
1961)
appointed as Deputy Chief of Air Staff at the end of the 1962 war; appointed as Vice Chief of Air Staff in 1963
rank of Air Marshal in August 1964; took over
reins of IAF
successfully led the IAF in 1965 Indo-Pak war
promoted as Air Vice Marshal; appointed as
AOC-in-C of an operational command
first Air Chief to keep his flying currency till his CAS rank; has flown more than 60 different types of aircraft
first and only Air Chief Marshal of the IAF
(5) Awards:
- Distinguished Flying Cross (1944)
-Padma Vibhushan
(6) After retirement: Ambassador to Switzerland;
Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
(Students can put these points attractively in boxes and use highlighting techniques.)