The Chief Of Air Staff (abbreviated as COAS) (Bengali: বিমান বাহিনী প্রধান, romanized: Biman Bahini Pradhan) is the professional head and highest appointment of the Bangladesh Air Force. Only pilots (officers from GDP branch) get this post. The appointment is held by a four-star air officer and the current COAS is Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan. Prior to 2016, from 2007 the appointment was held by an Air Marshal (three-star air officer) and from 1972 to 2007 COAS's rank was Air Vice Marshal.