207 flight cadets pass out from AFA

The amber sky dawned sagely over Air Force Academy (AFA) to witness the grand Combined Graduation Parade, which marked the momentous occasion of the passing out of 207 Flight Cadets as Flying Officers including 43 women officers to join the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The event was graced by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha PVSM AVSM VM ADC, as the reviewing officer. He conferred the President’s Commission to the flight cadets who successfully completed their basic and professional training at AFA, Air Force Station Hakimpet, Air Force Station Begumpet, Air Force Station Yelahanka and Air Force Administrative College (Coimbatore).

The training phase culminated in a grand ceremony with a scintillating combined graduation parade on the tarmac facing the Sekhon Block at the AFA. The newly commissioned officer will join in their respective fields in flying, navigation and ground duty branches.

The reviewing officer was accorded a salute by the parade followed by an impressive march past. The highpoint of the parade was the pipping ceremony. The flight cadets were awarded their stripes by the reviewing officer, the air officer commanding-in-chief, training command and commandant, AFA.

They were then administered the oath by the commandant of the academy. Air chief marshal Arup Raha gave away various awards to the flying officers who excelled in training. Flying officer Himanshu Kanwar from the Flying Branch was awarded President’s Plaque and the Chief of the Air Staff Sword of Honour for standing first in overall merit in pilot course.

Flying officer Saurabh Sharma and Shivaank Rana were awarded President’s Plaque for being first in overall merit in navigation and ground duty branches respectively. The grand graduation parade culminated with awesome display by the fiery aerobatic display by the PC 7 MK II (the aircraft currently used in AFA to train pilots) and the Sarang Helicopter team display.