Hyderabad: “We might not be fighting a war in the traditional sense but we have to remain in a state of heightened preparedness, be it terrorist attacks, cyber security threats, insurgency or national disasters or any other duty that the Union of India finds it fair to assign to us.” stated Air Chief Marshal, Birender Singh Dhanoa, while addressing the passing out parade of cadets at the Air force Academy in Dundigal.
The combined graduation parade held on Saturday marked the momentous occasion of graduation of 113 flight cadets as flying officers, including 13 women officers.
It also marked the commissioning of the sixth women fighter pilot, who is also the first woman pilot from the south, flying officer Meghana Shanbough from Chikmagalur.
Eighty young opilors and six navigators earned their coveted “Wings and Brevets” along with 6 officers from the Indian Navy and 5 from the Indian Coast Guard. The passing out parade was reviewed by Air Chief Marshal, Birender Singh Dhanoa who led a fighter squadron in a frontline ground attack during the limited war in Kargil.
The convocation ceremony began with a display by the Akash Ganga skydiving team before the Parade. An award ceremony was held for meritorious students who excelled during their training.
The “Sword of Honour” and the President’s Plaque were awarded to Flying officer Tarun Nair for standing first in overall merit in the pilot course. Ff Offr Abhishek Bajpai and Fg Offr Banti were awarded the President's Plaque for standing first in Navigation and Ground Duty branches respectively.
An air warrior drill display was also held where the team performed acts with a rifle that weighed slightly more than 5 kg and made formations such as a square, inclined line, double line and even one that resembled an aircraft. The famous tunnel movement was also showcased leaving the spectators on the edge of their seats, as the leader walked in between double lines of cadets rotating their rifles and showing immense precision and coordination to not hurt the leader.
An air display was also held with breathtaking aerobatics by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic team, ‘Sarang’ the helicopter Aerobatics Team and PC 7 MK - 11 of the IAF.
