Air Force Academy to conduct passing out parade on Dec 16

The landmark 200th course passing out parade of Indian Air Force (IAF) will be reviewed by chief of navy staff Admiral Sunil Lanba on December 16 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal here.

“The 200th course is going to create another milestone in the history of Indian Air Force as second batch of women fighter pilots will be inducted in this graduation parade after a period of one and a half year since the first batch was commissioned,” defence officials said. During the combined graduation parade, the graduating Flight Cadets will be conferred with the “President’s Commission” by the reviewing officer Admiral Sunil Lanba on behalf of the President of India. 

The raw recruits, known as ‘Flight Cadets’ during their training at the academy, who joined in January this year after having successfully completed the basic and professional training will be inducted as ‘Flying Officers’ into Indian Air Force during the passing-out parade.

The Chief Guest Admiral



Sunil Lanba will also award ‘Wings’ to the Officers from the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard who have successfully completed their flying training at Air Force Academy (AFA). The grand ceremony will be witnessed by a large number of military and civil dignitaries besides the parents and friends of passing out cadets.

This occasion also marks the passing out of 200th course of Indian Air Force officers, a long way forward since the humble beginning of the training of Indian trainees at Royal Air Force College, Cranwell in Oct 1931, according to defence authorities.The Flight Cadet of the flying branch standing first in the order of merit will be awarded with the ‘Sword of Honour’ for his accomplishment and will have the privilege of commanding the graduation parade, besides receiving the President’s Plaque. The Reviewing Officer will also present the President’s Plaque to the toppers (first in Overall Merit) in the ‘Navigation’ and ‘Ground Duty’ branches.