IAF chief to attend graduation ceremony at Air Force Academy, Dundigal

NEW DELHI: IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari will attend the graduation ceremony at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, in Hyderabad that will be held on June 15 with traditional military splendour, officials said on Monday. This will mark the successful completion of pre-commissioning training of flight cadets of the flying and ground duty branches of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the defence ministry said in a statement.
"The Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 213 Officers' Course at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad, will be held on 15 June 2024, with traditional military splendour, to mark the successful completion of pre-commissioning training of flight cadets of the Flying and Ground Duty branches of the Indian Air Force (IAF)," it said.
Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari would be the Reviewing Officer of the parade, the statement said.
During the function, he will confer the President's Commission to the graduating trainees.
The ceremony includes presentation of 'Wings' to flight cadets, officers of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and officers from friendly foreign countries who would be successfully completing their flying training. Being the culmination of a demanding period of training, the occasion marks the most important milestone in any military aviator's career, it said.
"The flight cadet from the flying branch who stands first in the order-of-merit will be awarded the Chief of the Air Staff 'Sword of Honour' and the President's Plaque for excelling in overall training. This Flt Cdt also has the privilege of commanding the parade," it said.
The Reviewing Officer will also present the President's Plaque to the trainee standing first in the overall order-of-merit among ground duty branches.
An enthralling fly past by formations of Pilatus PC-7 Mk-lI, Dornier, Hawk, Kiran and Chetak aircraft, as also aerobatic shows by Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, SU-30 MKI, Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) and the Sarang Helicopter Display Team will mark the culmination of the CGP, the statement said.
The AFA, the premier training establishment of the IAF, is the cradle of training for pilots, ground duty and technical officers of the IAF.
The Academy formally came into being when the then President Dr Zakir Hussain laid its foundation stone on October 11, 1967. The training at this academy is designed to foster the spirit of camaraderie and promote healthy interaction among officers of every branch, it added.