Coas Reviews the Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy

Gen Dalbir Singh, the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, reviewed the Combined Graduate Parade of the Air Warriors at Air Force Academy, Dundigul, Hyderabad, today. 209 Flight Cadets passed out as Flying Officers including 60 women Officers of the Indian Air Force. The COAS conferred the ‘President’s Commission’ to the graduating Flight Cadets who have successfully completed their Basic and Professional training. The occasion was witnessed by the family members, friends, well wishers of passing-out cadets and the senior serving and retired officers from the three services.

The Reviewing Officer was received at the venue by Air Marshal SRK Nair, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) Training Command and Air Marshal GP Singh, Commandant Air Force Academy. The Reviewing Officer was accorded Ceremonial salute by the parade followed by March Past. The Flight Cadets were awarded their ‘Stripes’ (Air Force rank) by the COAS, the AOC-in-C Training Command and Commandant Air Force Academy. They were then administered the ‘Oath’ by the Commandant of the Academy in the presence of the Chief Guest and other dignitaries.

Gen Dalbir Singh gave away various awards to the Flying officers who had excelled in training. Later, addressing the Parade, the COAS complimented the newly Commissioned ‘Flying Officers’ for the high standard of parade. He emphasized that as a Military Leader we have to choose "harder right than easier wrong". He said that an officer has to win the trust of men he commands and broaden the horizon of his or her vision by interacting with every member of all branches and also from other arms. At the end he reminded that it is the noble duty of every combatant to uphold the age-old military tradition i.e "Nation first , always and every time".

At the end, the 'Surya Kirans' the IAF's Aerobatic Team, presented a low level aerobatics which left entire audience spell bound.

Col Rohan Anand, SM

PRO (Army)