Quick Facts
Aries
Biography
Air Chief Marshal Jamal Ahmad Khan Afridi (Urdu: جمال احمد خان; b. 15 April 1934) NI(m), SJ, SBt, is a retired four-star air officer who briefly tenured as the Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force from 1985 until 1988. In addition, he also commanded the United Arab Emirates Air Force as its commander in 1977 until 1988.
Biography
Jamal Ahmad Khan was born in Kaimganj, Farrukhabad district in India, on 15 April 1934.
In 1952, he joined the Pakistan Air Force and was sent to attend the Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur, and was one of the few cadets who were selected to attend the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, United States. Upon completing the pilot training program from the USAF Academy in 1953, Khan gained the commissioned in the No. 11 Squadron Arrows, initially trained to fly the British Supermarine Attacker. He was further trained in the United States as a test pilot, eventually qualified to fly the F-104 Starfighter.
In 1965, Squadron-Leader Jamal flew his F-104 to intercept the Indian Air Force's English Electric Canberra at 33,000 feet (10,000 m) above, shooting down the Canberra with a Sidewinder near the Fazilka district, inside Pakistani territory.This was recorded as the first kill achieved by an F-104 at night after a number of near misses.
In 1971, Wing-Commander Jamal continued flying his F-104 on the western front of the third war with India. Wg-Cdr. Jamal shot down, with AIM-9B missile, another Canberra, which resulting in perishing its pilot.
After the war, Group Captain Jamal was posted on a Command Operations Center at the Air AHQ in Islamabad until appointed as base commander of the Sargodha Air Force Base. In 1975, Air Commodore Jamal joined the JAG Corps, Air Force, appointed its chief inspector and later judge advocate general. For sometimes, Air Cdre. Jamal served as the ACAS (Plans) at the Air AHQ before promoting to the two-star rank, Air vice-marshal.
In 1977, AVM Jamal Khan was posted as an AOC at the Pakistan Armed Forces–Middle East Command, and taken as secondment when he took over the command of the United Arab Emirates Air Force as its commander until 1980. During this time, AVM Jamal took over the command of the Pakistan Armed Forces–Middle East Command, serving its commander until 1980. Upon returning, AVM Jamal flew the MiG-19 and MiG-21 for test trial purposes. During this time, he went to the United States to complete his training to fly the F-16A and is also the first Pakistani to fly the F-16A in the United States, and returned to Pakistan.
In 1982–83, Air-Marshal Jamal was appointed as DCAS (Air Operation), and later appointed as Vice Chief of Air Staff in 1984.
In 1985, Air-Mshl. Jamal was promoted to four-star rank, Air Chief Marshal, and took over the command of the Air Force as its Chief of Air Staff. In 1987, ACM Jamal launched the project to develop and design a fighter jet, with the Grumman Aerospace as its consultant. After completing his tenure, ACM (Gen.) Jamal was succeeded by ACM H.K. Durrani on 6 March 1988. After his retirement, he settled in Islamabad, and worked as an aviation historian, contributing on the book on aerial aviation, The Story of the Pakistan Air Force, 1988-1998: A Battle Against Odds.
