KANNUR: Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar, who made the first trial landing at Kannur airport last year, has been appointed Deputy Chief of Staff (DCAS) of Indian Air Force (IAF). He is the first Malayali to hold the post, the third highest at the headquarters. Earlier, he was the senior air staff officer at eastern air command of the IAF at Shillong. He is an experimental test pilot, with over 4,700 hours of flying experience in over 35 types of fighter, transport and helicopters. He has over 2,300 hours of experience in the Mirage 2000 alone, which is an Indian record. He will take charge on March 1.
Air Marshal Nambiar, who hails from Kadachira near Kannur, belongs to the Ayillyath family related to the legendary Communist leaders A.K. Gopalan and E.K. Nayanar. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the IAF in June 1980. He is also the recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry for the Kargil operations and a Bar to the Vayu Sena Medal for Flight testing the LCA. DCAS is responsible for controlling the IAF budget, which is about Rs one lakh crore annually. The DCAS also has to look after future planning, acquisition of new aircraft and weapons and all projects of the force.
