Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy

The Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) was held at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal on 15 June 2024, to mark the successful culmination of training of 235 flight cadets of flying and ground duty branches of the Indian Air Force. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), the Reviewing Officer, conferred the Presidents’ Commission to the graduating flight cadets on successful completion of their training. The graduating officers included 22 women officers who got commissioned in various branches of the IAF. The ceremony was witnessed by a number of dignitaries from IAF and sister services as well as the family members of the graduating officers. On this occasion, 09 officers from the Indian Navy, 09 officers from the Indian Coast Guard, and 01 officers from the friendly foreign countries were also awarded ‘Wings’ on successful completion of flying training. This is also the first CGP where 25 cadets who joined the National Defence Academy 4 years ago for Ground Duty branches, were commissioned as officers. 5 of these officers have been commissioned in the Administration branch, 3 in the Logistics branch and 17 in the Technical branch of the IAF.

The CAS was received by Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command and Air Marshal S Shrinivas, Commandant AFA. The RO was presented with a General Salute by the parade commander. This was followed by an impressive march past. The graduating parade was interspersed by well-coordinated and synchronized fly-pasts by four trainer aircraft that comprised of Pilatus PC-7 Mk-lI,Hawk, Kiran and Chetak helicopters.

The highlight of the parade was the ‘Commissioning Ceremony’ in which the graduating flight cadets were awarded their ‘Rank and Wings’ by the Reviewing Officer. The graduating officers were then administered the oath by the Commandant of the academy, where they pledged to safeguard the security, safety, sovereignty and honour of the country.