For the first occasion in the history of Air Force Academy, the President of India was the chief guest and the Reviewing Officer of the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP). President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday reviewed the parade of the successful cadets at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal.
The President said together the defence forces of the country protect land frontiers, large coastline and territorial waters and a huge air space.
“Each and every officer of the armed forces has to keep in mind an integrated perspective of defence preparedness,” she said.
Modernisation of the Indian Air Force by the induction of Rafale fighter aircraft and Chinook heavy lift choppers strengthens the operational capabilities of IAF, she opined.
A total of 119 IAF trainees in flying branch and 75 trainees in the ground duty branch recieved commission at the Combined Graduation Parade. Additionally, eight officers, each of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard as well as two Vietnamese trainee officers have successfully completed their flying training.
The parade marks the successful completion of training of 211 Pilot Course and 211 Ground Duty Officers Course for flight cadets in various branches of the Indian Air Force. The president pinned the ‘Wings’ and ‘Brevets’ on the chest of the cadets depending on the branch they are being commissioned into.
The parade was followed by an aerobatic display by Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft, flypast by the formation of PC-7, aerobatic show by Sukhoi SU-30 and synchronous aerobatic displays by the helicopter display team ‘Sarang’ and the Surya Kiran aerobatic team.
Governor of Telangana Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan along with chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V.R. Choudhary were present at the event.
(With inputs from PTI)
