Masihuzzaman Serniabat made new Air chief

Air Marshal Masihuz-zaman Serniabat will take over command of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) on June 12 next, said a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate yesterday. He is set to take over the BAF command for three years. The Defence Ministry has issued a notification in this connection.

"Air Vice Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, BBP, OSP, NDU, PSC, GD (P) has been promoted to the post of Air Marshal for three years as Chief Officer of Bangladesh Air Force. This order will come into effect on June 12," the release added.

Masihuzzaman will replace Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar who will go into retirement on June 12 next. The defense ministry issued a separate order on Monday in regard of sending Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar to post-retirement leave for one year from June 12 next on completion of his service.

Air Vice Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat was born on February 14, 1962. He joined as a flight cadet in the Bangladesh Air Force Academy on March 16, 1980 and was commissioned as a GD (P) on June 19, 1982.

Masihuzzaman Serniabat is a fighter pilot and a qualified flying instructor. As a professional efficient pilot, he has flown PT-6, Fuga, F-6, F-7, F-7BG, F-7MB, A-5, Mig-29, Yacht-130 and Su-30 MKEI (A). He has successfully performed his duties as a captain of 3 fighter squadrons of BAF besides discharging duties as the first commander of Mig-29 fighter squadron.

An Ex-NotreDamean Masihuzzaman Serniabat has taken part in different professional courses at home and abroad. He completed the air staff course from Defence Service and Staff College in 1996, the second staff course from Royal Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College in 1997 and attained a higher degree from National Defense University, China, in 2006.

In his colorful service life, he has discharged his duties as commander, staff and instructor in BAF. He performed his duties as directing staff and senior instructor (Air) at Defense Services Command and Staff College in Mirpur, a director of Air Training Department at BAF headquarters and secretary of BAF.

Besides, he was commander of Bir Shreshtha Motiur Rahman Base, air commander of the BAF Base Bangabandhu and assistant air chief (admin). In recognition of his services and contributions, Masihuzzaman Serniabat was conferred BAF Award and Extraordinary Award.

Air Vice Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat has visited different countries such as Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Congo, Georgia, India, Saudi Arabia, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan, Russia, Sir Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, USA, UK and Ukraine. Before his appointment as Air Chief, he served as assistant air chief (operation).