Air chief marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, is Current chief of Pakistan Air Force. He was appointed Chief of Air Staff in place of Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman on 7 March 2012 by the President of Pakistan. He formally assumed the charge on 19 March 2012. Before being appointed chief he was serving as Vice Chief of Air Staff since 5 October 2010. His other appointments include Deputy Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters and commanding an operational base.