193 Flight Cadets to be commissioned into IAF

Hyderabad, June 18 : As many as 193 Flight Cadets including 41 women, on successful completion of their one year rigorous flying training, will be commissioned into Indian Air Force.

Chief of Air staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha will be the Reviewing Officer on the occasion and confer the President’s Commission to them on behalf of the President of India during an impressive Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal on June 21. He will also award flying brevets to four Indian Navy officers and one Indian Coast Guard Officer on their successful completion of flying training.

The flight cadet of flying branch standing first in overall order of merit will be presented with the ‘Sword of Honour’ and who will have the privilege of commanding the parade. ‘President’s Plaque’ will be presented to the cadets standing first in overall order of merit in flying, ground duty and navigation branches of the IAF.

On the penultimate night, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha will be the chief guest at a ceremonial guest night with all graduating cadets and their parents, wherein he will award trophies to the flight cadets excelling in their respective streams.

The cadets are trained to learn flying through successive stages at the Air Force Academy. Those who pass out as fighter pilots serve in front-line combat squadrons equipped with SU-30, MIG-27, MIG-21,MIG-21(BISON),Mirage-2000, Jaguar aircraft. For those interested in flying transport aircraft, the IAF offers heavy multi engined IL-76 aircraft,C-17 and the Dornier light utility transport aircraft. By joining the helicopter fleet, the trainees learn to fly at treetop height and landing in remote areas. Officers from friendly foreign countries are also occasionally trained at the Academy.  INN