Hyderabad: Air Chief Marshal Idris Hasan Latif (retd), the Indian Air Force (IAF) officer who flew for India's first Republic day celebration on January 26, 1950, passed away here on Monday, at the age of 94. The former governor of Maharashtra and Ambassador to France, who was probably India's first Muslim Chief of Air Staff, introduced several reforms in the IAF, including during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
ACM Latif’s health reportedly began deteriorating soon after the death of his wife Bilkis Idris Latif, who passed away in October 2017. He slipped into depression and showed symptoms of mild dementia. He also suffered a lung infection, and was in hospital for eight days before his death. Wing Commander T.J. Reddy, VSM, and president of the Air Force Association, said, “ACM Latif was commissioned into the IAF at 19, in 1942. He trained at Ambala.
He had the rare honour of being associated with the Royal Indian Air Force, Indian Air Force and Royal Air Force UK. In the UK, he trained with Spitfires and Hurricanes. He was also the station commander in Pune in 1966, where he was instrumental in modernising the IAF. “He received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for gallantry during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.”
In 1971, ACM Latif handled operations in the eastern sector. During his tenure, he introduced the Jaguar, MIG 23, and MIG 25 aircraft into the IAF. He was appointed Air Chief Marshal in 1978, and retired in 1981. “He was a perfect gentleman, very noble, with a lot of humility.” “The Air Force was in his blood. He also worked as air attaché in the US and Indian High Commissioner in Canada. He trained pilots in Indonesian airports as well,” said Wing Commander Reddy. ACM Latif is survived by two sons and a daughter. The family have said the burial will take place at the family crematorium at Hussaini Alam. The Governor will visit the family today, while the Chief Minister has expressed his condolences.
EX-IAF Chief Idris Hasan Latif
June 9, 1923: ACM Latif (retired) was born on in Hyderabad
January 26, 1942: Commissioned into IAF.
August 31, 1981: Retired as Chief of Air Staff.
August 15, 1948: He became flight lieutenant.
August 15, 1949: Squadron leader.
October 1, 1954: Promoted to wing commander.
June 10, 1959: Was acting group captain.
October 1, 1962: group captain.
January 15, 1964: Acting air commodore.
April 1, 1967: Air Commodore.
June 27, 1974: Air Marshal and Commander-in-Chief.
September 1, 1978: Air Chief Marshal
