# M. A. Rahman

Mirza Abdul Rahman (1 January 1920 — 25 November 1989) better known as M. A. Rahman, was among the pioneering officers of the Pakistan Air Force, former two-star rank air officer, and golfer. He served as acting Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Air Force for nearly a month while Air Marshal Asghar Khan traveled to Bangkok for the 19th SEATO Military Advisors Conference.
Throughout his career, he held several key positions, including Commander of PAF Station Kohat and PAF Station Peshawar, Commandant of PAF Academy, Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations), Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration), and Chief of Staff of the PAF.

## Early life

Mirza Abdul Rahman was born on 1 January 1920 or 1922 or 10 July 1921 in Sialkot, Punjab Province (British India).

## Royal Indian Air Force career

Mirza was commissioned into the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) on 30 November 1940 as an Acting Pilot Officer at the Initial Training School in Lahore, where he trained as a pilot. He was promoted to pilot officer on 15 February 1942 and began training at No. 1 EFTS, Begumpet. By 20 December 1943, he rose to flying officer and joined No. 7 Squadron RIAF in Campbellpur as a squadron pilot, after training with No. 152 OTU.
On 1 April 1945, Mirza was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and served as a squadron pilot with No. 1 Squadron in Imphal until 8 August 1945. The squadron then moved to Kohat and he continued his role as a Flight Lieutenant, also serving as Adjutant to the UK, until 30 April 1946 when he was attached to the Personnel Holding Unit, which is a temporary assignment location where military personnel are placed while awaiting a new posting, transfer, or reassignment.
After his promotion to Squadron Leader, he commanded No. 10 Squadron RIAF stationed in Chakeri from 23 August 1946 to 8 May 1947.

## Pakistan Air Force career

Following the Partition of British India in August 1947, Mirza Abdul Rahman was promoted to Wing Commander and appointed Commander of PAF Station Kohat. In November 1947, he assumed command of PAF Station Peshawar. By October 1949, he was promoted to Group Captain and succeeded Nur Khan as the 3rd Commandant of the PAF Academy.
Group Captain Mirza was selected for the Air Command and Staff College on 13 August 1951.
On 16 December 1955, Mirza was promoted to Air Commodore and appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group PAF. In November 1957, he was selected to attend the Imperial Defence College in London. On 29 March 1959, he became Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Air Force.
Air Commodore M. A. Rahman won the PAF Golf Championship by beating Air Marshal Asghar Khan by one stroke on 12 December 1960. The tournament, played over 36 holes, was the first of its kind in the Armed Forces, with Mirza Abdul Rahman leading with a score of 84.
While serving as Chief of Staff, he was promoted to Air Vice Marshal on 23 December 1961.
Mirza was appointed as the Air Attache to Washington, D.C. in December 1964.

## Death

Mirza Abdul Rahman died on 25 November 1989 in Pakistan.

## Effective dates of promotion

| Rank | Date |
| Air Vice Marshal | 23 December 1961 |
| Air Commodore | December 1955 |
| Group Captain | October 1949 |
| Wing Commander | August 1947 |
| Squadron Leader | 23 August 1946 |
| Flight Lieutenant | 1 October 1944 (acting) |
| Flying Officer | 30 May 1942 |
| Pilot Officer | 30 November 1940 (acting) 15 February 1942 |