Chief of Air Staff VR Chaudhari will review parade at Dundigal Air Force Academy on June 15

Hyderabad: IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari will attend the graduation ceremony at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, in Hyderabad on June 15.

The ceremony will mark the 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.

During the ceremony, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari would confer the President's Commission on the graduating trainees of the 213 Officers' Course amid traditional military splendour.

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 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, the IAF 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.

The event will see a flypast 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.

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 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.