IAF trainees pass out from Dundigal Air Force Academy, President Murmu chairs parade

Hyderabad: The Indian Air Force is taking steps to be ready and be prepared for the future keeping in view the overall security scenario including the challenges of fighting a high-technology war in a network-centric future battle space, President Droupadi Murmu said on Saturday.

For the first time in the history of the Air Force Academy (AFA), the President of India was the chief guest and the reviewing officer of the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 211th batch at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal near Hyderabad on Saturday.

Addressing the CGP, she said the ability to absorb technology at a rapid pace will be essential for defence preparedness at land, sea and air.-

A total of 119 IAF trainees in the flying branch and 75 trainees in the ground duty branch received a commission at the CGP. The Graduating Officers included 39 women officers who got commissioned in various branches of the IAF. On this occasion, eight officers from the Indian Navy, eight officers from the Indian Coast Guard and two from Vietnam People’s Air Force were also awarded Wings, on successful completion of their flying training.

The parade marked the successful completion of training of 211 pilots and 211 ground duty officers courses 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.

Addressing the cadets, the president said that their career is challenging, rewarding and highly honourable. They have to carry forward the great legacy of those who have served in the Indian Air Force before them. She said that the Indian Air Force has a very inspiring motto ‘Touch the sky with glory’, Nabhah sprisham deeptam. She expressed confidence that the cadets would imbibe the spirit of this motto and live up to the expectations the nation has of them.

“The great role played by the brave warriors of the Indian Air Force in defending the country in the wars with the hostile neighbour in 1948, 1965 and 1971 is written in golden letters. They demonstrated the same resolve and skills at the Kargil conflict and later, in destroying the terror hideout at Balakot. Thus, the Indian Air Force has a legendary reputation of professionalism, dedication and self-sacrifice,” said the president.

The parade was followed by an aerobatic display by Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft, a flypast by the formation of PC-7, an aerobatic show by Sukhoi SU-30 and synchronous aerobatic displays by the helicopter display team Sarang and the Surya Kiran aerobatic team.

Inputs from PTI