Dundigal Air Force Academy graduation ceremony on June 15; IAF chief to attend

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Marshal VR Chaudhari will attend the graduation ceremony at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, in Hyderabad on June 15 with traditional military splendour, officials said on June 10. This event will mark the successful completion of pre-commissioning training for flight cadets of the flying and ground duty branches of the IAF, the defence ministry stated.

"The Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 213 officers' course at the AFA, Dundigal, Hyderabad, will be held on June 15, 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)," the statement read.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari will be the reviewing officer of the parade. During the function, he will confer the president's commission on the graduating trainees. The ceremony includes the presentation of 'Wings' to flight cadets, officers of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and officers from friendly foreign countries who have successfully completed 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. "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 noted.

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 flypast by formations of Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, Dornier, Hawk, Kiran, and Chetak aircraft, as well as 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 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, Zakir Hussain, laid its foundation stone on October 11, 1967. The training at this academy is designed to foster a spirit of camaraderie and promote healthy interaction among officers of every branch.