Hyderabad, June 20

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria reviewed the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) held at Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal on June 20, 2020. He formally conferred the ‘President’s Commission’ on 123 Flight Cadets as well as awarded ‘Wings’ to 11 officers from Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

Amongst the newly commissioned officers, 61 officers joined the Flying branch with 62 being inducted into Ground Duty Branches of the Indian Air Force, which included 19 women officers. Two Flight Cadets from Vietnam Air Force also successfully completed their flying training at AFA and were presented ‘Wings’ by the Reviewing Officer.

On his arrival at the CGP, the ÇAS was received by Air Marshal AS Butola, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command and Air Marshal J Chalapati, Commandant, Air Force Academy. The parade presented a general salute to the CAS prior to the ‘pipping ceremony’ in which flight cadets were conferred the rank of Flying Officers, with procedures modified suitably to cater for Covid-19 protocols.

Flying Officer Anurag Nain from the Flying branch was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’ and ‘President’s Plaque’ for standing first in overall order of merit in the Pilots’ Course. Flying Officer Aanchal Gangwal was awarded ‘President’s Plaque’ for being first in overall order of merit in the Ground Duty Branch.

While addressing the parade, the CAS commenced by paying tribute to the 20 Army officials who sacrificed their lives while defending the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley.

He congratulated the graduating officers and awardees while exhorting them to work hard in order to achieve the requisite proficiency and competency in their chosen field. He also commended the instructors and teaching staff at all IAF training establishments for timely culmination of training.

The CAS thanked the parents and relatives who supported the decision of their wards to join this profession of Arms and encouraged the young men and women to pursue their dreams with the IAF. He reminded the officers,“The security scenario prevailing in our region mandates that our armed forces remain prepared and vigilant at all times.”

He added, “The development on the LAC in Ladakh was a small snapshot of what the armed forces are required to handle atshort notice.”He further emphasised on the spirit of ‘jointness’ and asked the graduating officers to don this mantle - as proudly as they would don their blue uniforms.

The CAS finally concluded by reminding the graduating officers that the solemn oath taken by them should be their guiding principle while executing their duties and responsibilities.