User:Jedif16/Itthaporn subhawong

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ITTHAPORN SUBHAWONG

Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong was appointed the 21st Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) on the 1st of October 2008. Commissioned in 1975, ACM Itthaporn completed his flying training and began his flying career as an A-37 and F-5 pilot. In the late 1980’s, ACM Itthaporn, then ranking Squadron Leader, was appointed the team leader of the RTAF pilot trainees to attend the F-16 Conversion and Instructor Course in the USA under the RTAF procurement project of the F-16 aircraft. With his outstanding flying skill and leadership, ACM Itthaporn returned to Thailand to assume the position of the Squadron 103 Commander of Wing 1. After serving as the first squadron commander of the F-16 aircraft stationed in the RTAF, ACM Itthaporn was reassigned to the Commander of Wing 21 in the easternmost border province of Ubon Ratchathani. In 1996, ACM Itthaporn went on his tour of duty overseas in the USA as the Air Attaché to Washington, D.C. After completing his term of service as the Air Attaché, ACM Itthaporn was appointed the Deputy Director of Operations, Chief of Staff of the Directorate of Air Operation Control, Director of Operations, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (for Personnel and Logistics), and Chief of the Air Staff, respectively.

Assuming the top position of the RTAF, ACM Itthaporn has continued his policy to modernize the RTAF to handle the ever-changing advanced technology while adopting the philosophy of sufficiency economy bestowed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. His persistent devotion and commitment to the RTAF and Thailand entitled him to be conferred the Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant. Date of Birth: 	6 January 1952, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Religion: 	Buddhism Foreign Language Proficiency: 	English

Marital Status: 	Married

First Name of Spouse: 	Napaporn

Children: 	Two sons Education: •	Royal Thai Air Force Academy

•	Flying Training School, RTAF

•	Flight Test Pilot School

•	Squadron Officer School, RTAF

•	Air Command and Staff College, RTAF

•	F-16 Conversion and Instructor Course, USA

•	Air War College, RTAF

•	National Defence College

Promotion:

1975	-	Pilot Officer

1977	-	Flying Officer

1982	-	Flight Lieutenant

1985	-	Squadron Leader

1988	-	Wing Commander

1991	-	Group Captain

2002	-	Air Vice Marshal

2006	-	Air Marshal

2007	-	Air Chief Marshal

Previous Assignment:

•	Operations Officer, Squadron 102, Wing 1

•	Commander, Squadron 103, Wing 1

•	Chief of Staff, Wing 1

•	Deputy Commander, Wing 1

•	Deputy Director, Policy and Plan Division, Directorate of Operations

•	Director, Air Training Division, Directorate of Operations

•	Director, Policy and Plan Division, Directorate of Operations

•	Commander, Wing 21

•	Air Attaché to Washington D.C.

•	Deputy Director of Operations

•	Chief of Staff, Directorate of Air Operation Control

•	Director of Operations

•	Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations

•	Deputy Chief of the Air Staff

•	Chief of the Air Staff

Present Assignment: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (since October 2008)

Flight Hours:

Approximately 2,600 flight hours (flying training hours included)

•	A-37 approximately 220 flight hours

•	F-5A/B/E/F approximately 1,500 flight hours

•	F-16 approximately 700 flight hours

Special Assignment and Awards:

•	One of the initial members of the RTAF's First Operational F-5E/F Squadron, Squadron 102, Wing 1

•	First Commander of RTAF F-16A/B Squadron, Squadron 103, Wing 1

•	Commander, RTAF Detachment, Cope Thunder Exercise 91-3, Republic of the Philippines

•	"Flight Safety" Awards in 1980 and 1983

•	"Outstanding Pilot" of Squadron 102, Wing 1 in 1983

•	"Outstanding Student Officer" of Squadron Officer School in 1985

•	"Outstanding Officer" of Wing 1 in 1985

•	RTAF Exercise Director, Cope Tiger’01 – ’02

•	Air Force Commander, Joint Royal Thai Armed Forces Exercise 2002

Decoration:

•	Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant

•	Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand

•	Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant

•	Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant

•	Legion of Merit Medal (Degree of Officer) from the Secretary of Defense of the USA

•	Meritorious Service Medal (Military) from Singapore

Sport:  		Golf

Hobbies: 	Reading, Antique and Key Chain Collecting