Combined Graduation Parade Held at Air Force Academy, Hyderabad

The Air Force Academy (AFA) at Dundigal, Hyderabad, hosted the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) today, marking the successful completion of pre-commissioning training for the Flight Cadets of the Indian Air Force (IAF). General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), reviewed the parade and conferred the President’s Commission to the graduating cadets of the 216th Course. A total of 244 cadets, including 215 male and 29 female officers, were commissioned as Flying Officers.

The parade was attended by Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, and Air Marshal PK Vohra, Commandant of AFA. The Reviewing Officer was presented with a General Salute, followed by a precision march past.

During the ceremony, six Indian Navy officers, eight Indian Coast Guard officers, and two trainees from Vietnam received ‘Wings’ for completing flying training, while five officers earned ‘Brevets’ for Navigation training. The commissioning ceremony saw cadets take an oath to safeguard the sovereignty and honour of the nation.

The parade featured a spectacular flypast by Pilatus PC-7, Hawk, Kiran, and Chetak aircraft, along with thrilling displays by the Akash Ganga team and Air Warrior Drill Team.

Flying Officer Tanishq Aggarwal of the Flying branch received both the ‘President’s Plaque’ and the ‘Nawanagar Sword of Honour’ for topping the Pilot Course. Flying Officer Saksham Dobriyal and Flying Officer Nitesh Kumar were awarded the ‘President’s Plaque’ for excelling in the Navigation and Ground Duty branches, respectively.

Addressing the cadets, General Chauhan commended their dedication, discipline, and professionalism. He emphasized the importance of technology, AI-driven operations, autonomous systems, and cognitive domain capabilities in modern warfare. He also highlighted the significance of Op Sindoor and encouraged officers to uphold the values of Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation (JAI).

The parade concluded with a ceremonial slow march by the newly commissioned officers, accompanied by a three-aircraft Kiran formation flypast led by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. The grand finale included synchronized aerial displays by the Sarang helicopter team and Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), leaving the audience mesmerized.

The CGP celebrated the dedication, skill, and courage of the new officers, officially welcoming them into the Indian Air Force as they embark on their journey to serve the nation.