Norman Anil Kumar Browne

Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC also known as "Charlie" Browne, is a former Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force. He served in this position from 31 July 2011 to 31 Dec 2013. Browne served as India's Ambassador to Norway from August 2014 to April 2016.[1][2][3]


N. A. K. Browne

Birth nameNorman Anil Kumar Browne
Nickname(s)'Charlie' Browne
Born (1951-12-15) 15 December 1951
Allegiance India
 Indian Air Force
Years of service1972-2013
Rank Air Chief Marshal
Service number13129
Commands heldWestern Air Command
AFS Lohegaon
16 Squadron
Awards Param Vishist Seva Medal
Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM)
Vayu Sena Medal (VM)
Spouse(s)Kiran Browne
ChildrenSquadron Leader Omar Browne(son) Alisha Browne(daughter)

Personal life

Browne was brought up in Allahabad and did his early schooling from St. Joseph's College, Allahabad. He is married to Mrs. Kiran Browne. Together, they have a son, Omar, who serves as a fighter pilot in the IAF; and a daughter, Alisha, who is working with a multinational company.[4]

Military career

Browne is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy[5] and also trained with the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force on Jaguar aircraft before commanding a Jaguar Squadron. A graduate of Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, USA, he has held many appointments including Joint Director at Air War Strategy Cell at Air Headquarters, Chief Operations Officer and Air Officer Commanding of a Sukhoi Su-30 base, Air-I at Western Air Command and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters.[6] Browne was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on 24 June 1972.

As a fighter pilot, he has logged over 3,100 hours flying Hunters, Jaguars, MiG 21s and Su-30MKIs,[7] and has served as an instructor at the Tactics and Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington.

Air Chief Marshal Browne became Vice Chief of the Air Staff until 31 July 2011, when he replaced outgoing Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik. Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in January 2011, he served as the AOC-in-C of Western Air Command.[8] Upon the retirement of Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, Browne became the new Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.[9] Browne was later replaced by Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.[10]

Awards

Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vayusena Medal General Service Medal 1947 Paschimi Star Sangram Medal
Operation Parakram Medal Sainya Seva Medal Videsh Seva Medal 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal
25th Anniversary of Independence Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

Diplomatic career

Browne served as India's Ambassador to Norway from 30 August 2014 to April 2016.[11][12]

References

Military offices
Preceded by
Nirmal Kumar Verma
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
September 2012 – December 2013
Succeeded by
Bikram Singh
Preceded by
Pradeep Vasant Naik
Chief of the Air Staff (India)
July 2011 – December 2013
Succeeded by
Arup Raha
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