Govt to create new wing, post for BAF

After upgrading the rank of chief of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) to Air Chief Marshal from Air Marshal early last year, the government is now planning to create one more rank of assistant vice marshal in its organogram for creating a new wing (planning) for strengthening the BAF’s activities.

With the establishment of this rank, four assistant chief of air staff with the status of principal staff officers (PSOs), equivalent to the rank of major general of Bangladesh Army, will work under Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar, government sources told The Independent.

The decision to create the new post and new wing was taken by the authorities concerned recently, they added.

According to the sources, the existing operations and training wing is likely to be split into two wings—one for operations and the other for training. At the same time, one more rank of assistant vice marshal is likely to be created for strengthening the BAF’s activities.

In a related development, the authorities have also planned to upgrade the two ranks of chiefs of the Flying Instructor School and Recruit Training School of BAF to group captain from wing commander.

For creating the proposed wing and new rank as well as upgrading the two posts of chiefs of the Flying Instructor School and Recruit Training School, the defence ministry has prepared different proposals, which are likely to be placed for approval at the next meeting of the secretary committee on administration improvement affairs.

A senior BAF officer disclosed on the condition of anonymity that there are only three wings—operations and training, maintenance, and administration—that function under the Assistant Chief of Air Staff working under the Chief of Air Staff.

“There are a total of 25 directorates operating under the three wings. It would be better to operate the wings if the authorities concerned were to create two more wings and ranks as the BAF’s activities have increased compared to the past,” he said.

“We (BAF) have only three PSO-level officers, though there are four of them working under the Chief of Bangladesh Navy,” he added.

Sources said the government has decided to create 517 posts including that of group captain, wing commander, squadron leader, flight lieutenant, master warrant officer, senior warrant officer, and warrant officer for operating five radar units.

Of the 517 posts, 360 posts are for four ATS radar units and 157 posts for the BAF’s radar unit in Cox’s Bazar. To implement the BAF’s goal 2030, the government has purchased six Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft and two Augusta Westland AW-139 maritime search and rescue (MSAR) helicopters for induction into the force.

The government has also planned to purchase modern aircraft and equipment as part of the move to strengthen the BAF in a time befitting manner.

The BAF was established in 1971 with 300 personnel from the Pakistan Air Force.

Govt to create new wing, post for BAF

After upgrading the rank of chief of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) to Air Chief Marshal from Air Marshal early last year, the government is now planning to create one more rank of assistant vice marshal in its organogram for creating a new wing (planning) for strengthening the BAFs activities. With the establishment of this rank, four assistant chief of air staff with the status of principal staff officers (PSOs), equivalent to the rank of major general of Bangladesh Army, will work under Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar, government sources told The Independent. The decision to create the new post and new wing was taken by the authorities concerned recently, they added. According to the sources, the existing operations and training wing is likely to be split into two wingsone for operations and the other for training. At the same time, one more rank of assistant vice marshal is likely to be created for strengthening the BAFs activities. In a related development, the authorities have also planned to upgrade the two ranks of chiefs of the Flying Instructor School and Recruit Training School of BAF to group captain from wing commander. For creating the proposed wing and new rank as well as upgrading the two posts of chiefs of the Flying Instructor School and Recruit Training School, the defence ministry has prepared different proposals, which are likely to be placed for approval at the next meeting of the secretary committee on administration improvement affairs. A senior BAF officer disclosed on the condition of anonymity that there are only three wingsoperations and training, maintenance, and administrationthat function under the Assistant Chief of Air Staff working under the Chief of Air Staff. There are a total of 25 directorates operating under the three wings. It would be better to operate the wings if the authorities concerned were to create two more wings and ranks as the BAFs activities have increased compared to the past, he said. We (BAF) have only three PSO-level officers, though there are four of them working under the Chief of Bangladesh Navy, he added. Sources said the government has decided to create 517 posts including that of group captain, wing commander, squadron leader, flight lieutenant, master warrant officer, senior warrant officer, and warrant officer for operating five radar units. Of the 517 posts, 360 posts are for four ATS radar units and 157 posts for the BAFs radar unit in Coxs Bazar. To implement the BAFs goal 2030, the government has purchased six Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft and two Augusta Westland AW-139 maritime search and rescue (MSAR) helicopters for induction into the force. The government has also planned to purchase modern aircraft and equipment as part of the move to strengthen the BAF in a time befitting manner. The BAF was established in 1971 with 300 personnel from the Pakistan Air Force.