New Delhi, June 8

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Naval Pilots Commissioned INS Rajali

A passing out parade was held on 07 Jun 24 to mark the graduation of the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC) and completion of stage I training of 04th Basic Helicopter Conversion Course (BHCC) at Naval Air Station – INS Rajali, Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu.

21 officers, including three officers from 03 BHCC were awarded the prestigious “Golden Wings” by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Additionally, three Officers of 04 Basic Conversion Course (BCC) successfully completed their Stage – (I) training.

The Passing out parade marked the successful culmination of an intensive 22 weeks Training programme encompassing rigorous flying and ground training at the Indian Naval Air Squadron 561, the alma mater of all helicopter pilots of Indian Navy.

Highlighting Indian Navy’s commitment to gender inclusivity and expanding Career opportunities for women, SLt Anamika B Rajeev created history by graduating as the ‘First Woman Naval helicopter pilot’. Lt Jamyang Tsewang, the first Commissioned Naval Officer from the Union Territory of Ladakh also successfully graduated as a qualified helicopter pilot.

The FOCinC, Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy for the trainee pilot standing First in Order of Merit in Flying was awarded to Lt Gurkirat Rajput. Sub Lieutenant Kunte Memorial Book Prize for standing First in Order of Merit in Ground Subjects was awarded to Lt Nitin Sharan Chaturvedi. Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy for First in Overall Order of Merit was awarded to Lt Deepak Gupta.

In its rich heritage spanning more than five decades, Helicopter Training School has trained 849 pilots of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard as well as friendly foreign Nations. Helicopter Training School is located at INS Rajali, Arakkonam presently commanded by Commodore Kapil Mehta and the Helicopter Training School is commanded by Commander Archesh.

The Squadron’s safe and conducive training environment coupled with meticulous planning and execution ensures completion of course ‘On time, Every Time’. The newly qualified pilots of 102 HCC will be appointed to various front-line operational units of the Indian Navy where they will take on diverse missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, Search and Rescue, and anti-piracy. The Officers of 04 BHCC having successfully completed Stage – (I) training, will be retained for Stage – (II) training at Helicopter Training School.

25th Passing Out Parade of Officers at Gaya

The Silver Jubilee (25th) Passing Out Parade of Officers’ Training Academy, Gaya took place on June 08, 2024. The parade witnessed a total of 118 officer cadets passing through the Antim Pag and becoming Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles. Fifty eight (58) officer cadets of Special Commissioned Officers Course (Serial Number 52), including 15 from Assam Rifles; and 60 of Technical Entry Scheme (Serial Number 43) were commissioned as Officers during the event. The details are as below:

Special Commissioned Officers Course - 52

• Special Commissioned Officers - 43 Officer Cadets
• Assam Rifles - 15 Officer Cadets

Technical Entry Scheme course - 43

• Cadet Training Wing, MCEME, Secunderabad - 20 Officer Cadets
• Cadet Training Wing, CME, Pune - 24 Officer Cadets
• Cadet Training Wing, MCTE, Mhow - 16 Officer Cadets

Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was the Reviewing Officer of the parade. The skillful, crisp and synchronised drill manoeuvres ignited a sense of pride amongst all the spectators. Academy Under Officer Pankaj Sharma was the Parade Commander of the 25th Passing Out Parade. The Vice Chief of the Army Staff also gave away the medals to the officer cadets who have displayed exemplary performance during their training. The awards are as follows:

• Battalion Under Officer D Subhash won the coveted Sword of Honour and the Gold Medal for being the Overall Best Officer Cadet in the Technical Entry Scheme Course Serial Number-43. He is commissioned into the Madras Regiment.
• Battalion Cadet Quartermaster Subham Singh Tanwar won the Silver Medal for being adjudged as the Overall 2nd Best Officer Cadet in the Technical Entry Scheme Serial Number-43. He is commissioned into the 8th Gorkha Rifles.
• Academy Under Officer Pankaj Sharma won the Bronze Medal for being the Overall 3rd Best Officer Cadet in the Technical Entry Scheme Serial Number-43. He is commissioned into 235 Bengal Engineers Regiment.
• Academy Cadet Adjutant Jagsir Singh won the Silver Medal for being adjudged the Overall Best Officer Cadet in the Special Commissioned Officer Course Serial Number-52. He is commissioned into the Corps of Army Aviation.
• Gurez Company won the Chief of the Army Staff Banner for being the Champion Company.

Addressing the Officer Cadets of the Passing Out Courses, the Reviewing Officer called upon the young military leaders to uphold the values, traditions and ethos of the Army. He stressed upon the importance of compassion complimented by professional competence while leading the valiant soldiers of the motherland in peace as well as in war.

Following the traditions of the Armed Forces, wreath-laying was carried out at the War Memorial. The Reviewing Officer, the Commandant, Officers Training Academy, Gaya and other senior officers and dignitaries offered their respect at the War Memorial to the fallen heroes.

The Pipping Ceremony was a gratifying and moving moment for the officer cadets as well as their family members. At the sound of the bugle, the Officer Cadets donned the stars on their shoulders and became officers.

On June 07, 2024, as an integral part of a plethora of events for the Passing Out Parade of OTA, Gaya, a multi-activity display was organised for the families of the Passing Out Courses. The event was also witnessed by Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi; Commandant OTA, Gaya Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh Minhas; civil dignitaries and officers of OTA, Gaya. The event comprised Equestrian Display, Motorcycle Stunts, Gymnastic Display, Aerial Manoeuvres by Microlights, Combat Free-fall, Gatka and Bhangra.

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