IAF chief to review graduation parade at Air Force Academy

The Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) will be held to mark the successful completion of pre-commissioning training of flight cadets of various branches of Indian Air Force (IAF).

The event assumes significance as it is being held amid the ongoing tension with China over the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in Ladakh on Monday.

In this context, it will be significant on what the IAF chief says in his address at CGP and at the likely interaction with the media.

During the CGP, he will confer the 'President's Commission' to 123 graduating trainees, including 19 women cadets, of various branches.

The CGP symbolises the culmination of rigorous training and transformation of a cadet into a young officer to shoulder the nation's responsibility, a Defence release said.

The ceremony will include presentation of 'Wings' and 'Brevets' to the flight cadets who successfully completed flying and navigation training respectively.

Officers of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard who underwent flying training at Air Force Academy will also be presented 'Wings'.

The award of 'Wings' or 'Brevets' represents a significant milestone in every military aviator's career and is the culmination of a demanding and rewarding period of training.

The parade will be commanded by the flight cadet standing first in overall order of merit. He will be awarded the 'Sword of Honour' along with the 'President's Plaque' by the reviewing officer for his achievements.

The Air Chief Marshal will also present the President's Plaque to the flight cadet who stands first in the overall merit in the ground duty branches.

The parade will be followed by fly past by formations of Pilatus, Kiran Hawk, Chetak helicopters and an aerobatic display by Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT).

Officials said in view of the prevailing Covid-19 situation, the cadets will get commissioned while taking all necessary safety precautions. The parents and relatives of the passing out cadets will not be able to attend the ceremony.

The parade will be broadcast live on Doordarshan and the social media handles of the Indian Air Force.

After commissioning, the cadets will be directly moving to their respective units.