Air Force Academy’s Graduation Parade: 254 cadets commissioned as flying officers

At the Air Force Academy’s Combined Graduation Parade, 254 cadets became Flying Officers. Highlights included award ceremonies, aerobatic shows, and fly-pasts. Cadets from the Navy, Coast Guard, and Vietnam also received wings. The Air Chief encouraged continuous learning and excellence

Hyderabad: In a ceremony filled with pride, honour, and excitement, a total of 254 flight cadets graduated during the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) held at Air Force Academy here on Saturday. Of the total, nine officers from the Indian Navy, seven officers from the Indian Coast Guard, and one trainee from Vietnam, a friendly foreign country, were also awarded ‘Wings’ on successful completion of flying training.

The highlight of the parade was the ‘Commissioning Ceremony’ in which the graduating cadets were commissioned as Flying Officers by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.

Rohan Krishna Murthy from the flying branch was awarded the coveted ‘President’s Plaque’ as well as the ‘Chief of the Air Staff Sword of Honour’ and commanded the parade. Nishta Vaid was awarded the ‘President’s Plaque’.

Stating that CGP ceremony marks the culmination of years of perseverance and structured training as a cadet, the Air Chief Marshal said it is only the beginning of their learning journey, and urged them to continue to expand their horizons and discover new capabilities.

Recalling his own Commission into IAF 40 years ago, Singh said, “It was a very similar setting, if I can remember. Yes, it was a different venue. 
Tarmac in front of the flying faculty those days and we were in khaki.”

The ceremony also included thrilling displays by the Akash Ganga team, the Air Warrior Drill Team, and synchronised aerobatics by the Surya Kiran aerobatic team. The graduation parade was interspersed with well-coordinated and synchronised fly-pasts by trainer aircraft that included the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-lI, Hawk, Kiran Mk-1 and Chetak.