Summary:
Former Marshall of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passes away at Army Research and Referal hospital in New Delhi tonight.
He was 98 years old and only 5 star ranked officer of the IAF.
Singh had an illustrious career and made the Indian Air Force proud.
He has been the only Chief of the Air Staff to have headed the Air Force for five years as opposed to the regular tenure of two and a half to three years.
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By Pallab Ghosh
Former Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh passes away at Army Research and Referal hospital in New Delhi tonight.
He was 98 years old and only 5 star ranked officer of the IAF.
Born on April 15, 1919 in Lyallpur, present day Faislabad in Pakistan, and was selected at the age of 19 years for a pilot training course at Royal Air Force College, Cranwell.
In 1939, he had to cut short his training due to the World War II.
Joined Sqdn 1 in Ambala and took over as Commanding Officer Sqdn 1 in 1934.
Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh was a true legend of Indian Air Force and veteran of many wars including 1965 India Pakistan battle where the IAF devastated Pakistan Air Force fighter jets with severe fire and thunder from the sky.
He will be remembered by the nation for his unmatched inspiration dedication and devotion in the service of motherland.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sitharaman visited the hospital to see Arjan Singh, who was the only Indian Air Force officer to be promoted to 5-star rank.
He was Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), from 1 August 1964 to 15 July 1969, and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1965.
When appointed as Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, he was just about 45.