Air Commodore Rizwanullah Khan was born on August 13, 1957 in Rawalpindi, the first child of Captain Abdullah Khan and Zubaida Abdullah. His early years were spent at various Army stations. In 1971, his father, then a Lt. Colonel, was taken Prisoner of War and spent 3 years in an Indian POW camp. Rizwan’s mother enrolled her two sons in Cadet College Hasan Abdal and the experience, coupled with the regular, content-rich letters that the brothers received from their POW father, proved to be a turning point in Rizwan’s life. Later, Rizwan often told his children that his father’s long-distance tutelage through letters shaped his personality, character and destiny.

Rizwan’s brother, Imran Ullah Khan, is a Tanker Captain and lives in Houston, USA. His sister, Nabeela, is a Medical Doctor working for Fauji Foundation.

Air Commodore Rizwanullah Khan was commissioned into Pakistan Air Force in 1978 as the top graduate of 66 GD (P). He learnt the basic skills of fighter flying on the F-6. In 1982 he graduated from the Flying Instructor’s School and flew as an instructor on the T-37 for 2 years. He later opted for a degree in Aerospace Engineering and successfully graduated from College of Aeronautical Engineering, Risalpur, in 1987. He then converted on the Mirage in 1988 and on the F-16 in 1990. He is a graduate of CCS where he later flew as an instructor on the F-16. He is a graduate of RAF Staff College Bracknell and holds a Master’s Degree in Defense Studies from King’s College London. After his staff course he operated as Chief Instructor, Combat Commanders’ School, Sargodha and later commander No. 11 Multi Role Squadron before taking up his assignment as Deputy Director and later Director OR&D in Directorate of Plans, AHQ, Chaklala. He was then assigned as Officer Commanding, Combat Commanders’ School, Sargodha. His last assignment was as Personal Staff Officer to Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir.

Air Commodore Rizwanullah Khan was an Abdalian and a Sargodhian. He was a National Talent Scholarship holder after intermediate examination. He won the Sword of Honour and the Best Pilot’s Trophy upon graduation from PAF Academy, Risalpur. Amongst his achievements are Best Flying Instructor’s Trophy, Gold Medal in BE, Trophy for Best in Engineering Discipline and Best Combat Commander’s Trophy. Under his command, No. 11 Squadron won ACES Top Gun Trophy and upon completion of command he was awarded Sitara-e-Basalat for meritorious service.

Air Commodore Rizwanullah Khan has published two books, “Commanding a Fighter Squadron” and “Training to be a Fighter Pilot“.

Air Commodore Rizwanullah Khan’s final achievement was to embrace Shahadat alongside his Chief of Air Staff and other worthy colleagues, while on their way to inspect Kohat Air Base on February 20, 2003.

Air Commodore Rizwanullah Khan’s wife, Samina, is the Regional Manager Oracle Corporation for South Asian countries Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. They have four children, Andaleeb, Taimur (an Abdalian), Sabine and Bilal.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
	MA (Defence Studies), King’s College, London, UK – 1994
	BE (Aerospace), College of Aeronautical Engineering, PAF Risalpur – 1987
	BSc (Aerosciences), PAF College, Sargodha – 1977
	FSc Intermediate (12th Grade), PAF College, Sargodha – 1975
	Matric Higher Secondary School, Cadet College, Hasan Abdal – 1973
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION
	Flying Instructor’s Course
	Fighter Integration Course
	Combat Commander’s Course
	Advanced Staff Course
	Safety Management Course
AWARDS
	National Talent Scholarship after Intermediate Examination – 1975
	Sword of Honour upon graduation from PAF Academy – 1978
	Best Pilot’s Trophy upon graduation from PAF Academy – 1978
	Best Flying Instructor’s Trophy – 1982
	Distinction in BE (Aerospace) – 1987
	Gold Medal in BE (Aerospace) – 1987
	Trophy for Best in Engineering Discipline – 1987
	Best Aerospace Vehicle Design Certificate – 1987
	Best Combat Commander’s Trophy – 1993
	ACES Top Gun Trophy for No. 11 Multi Role Sqn during Sqn Command - 1996
	Sitara-e-Basalat Medal for Meritorious Service - 1997
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
	Member Royal Aeronautical Society, UK
	Member Pakistan Engineering Council
PUBLICATIONS
	Commanding a Fighter Squadron, PAF press, 1998
	Training to be a Fighter Pilot, PAF press, 1999