Early career and training (1945–1950s) In 1945, Chaudhry was
commissioned in the
Royal Indian Air Force as a
pilot officer, and was inducted in
No. 7 Squadron in 1946. He was further educated at the
RAF Staff College in
Andover,
Hampshire, in the United Kingdom before being directed to attend the
Joint Service Defence College of the
British Army. He later secured his qualification from the
Imperial Defence College before returning to Pakistan.
Operational roles and command appointments (1960s) In 1965,
Air Commodore Chaudhry served in the
Air Headquarters as a Director Air Operations, taking responsibility for planning combat
aerial operations against the
Indian Air Force during the
second war with India. In 1969, Chaudhry was appointed station commander of the
PAF Station Sargodha.
Secondment and civil aviation role (1971–1972) In 1971,
Air Vice-Marshal Chaudhry was sent on
secondment and was appointed
managing director of the
Pakistan International Airlines, which he directed until 1972.
Chief of Air Staff and reforms (1972–1974) On 3 April 1972,
Air Marshal Chaudhry was appointed first
Chief of Air Staff and took over the command of the
Pakistan Air Force. In 1973, he authorised the
Air Intelligence to conduct inquiries for the
court-martial of several senior air force officers for their alleged political role in de-stabilising the civilian government. This decision sparked controversy between the
Air Force and the civilian government. Eventually, the decision was reversed upon being determined that the investigation was opened for inappropriate reasons, allowing the alleged officers to continue their military service in 1974. Upon learning of this development, Chaudhry immediately tendered his resignation. == Resignation and later life ==