By the end of 1964 he was named commander of the Air Force , with the rank of major general .
Assad was promoted to major and then to lieutenant colonel , and by the end of 1963 was in charge of the Syrian Air Force .
By the end of 1964 Assad was named commander of the Air Force , with the rank of major general .
Assad was promoted to major and then to lieutenant colonel , and by the end of 1963 was in charge of the Syrian Air Force .