India gets first women fighter pilots, Modi appreciates

"It is a matter of immense pride & joy to see the first batch of women fighter pilots being inducted in our Air Force. More power to them," Modi tweeted.

The vanguards of the IAF roared into the sky and smeared the sky with tricolor as India joined the select few nations in the world that have women fighter pilots in their Air Forces when Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi, Flying Officer Bhawana Kanth and Flying Officer Mohana Singh were conferred with the President’s Commission.

Manohar Parrikar, Minister of Defence, graced the solemn ceremony as the Chief Guest and reviewed the Combined Graduation Parade.

The Chief Guest was received by Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, Aide-de-camp, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal SRK Nair Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, Mention-in-Despatch, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, and Air Marshal GP Singh Vayu Sena Medal, Commandant Air Force Academy. On this momentous occasion, a total of 130 Flight Cadets including 22 women trainees were commissioned as Flying Officers, at their alma-mater, the Air Force Academy, the ‘Cradle of Leadership’ that has procreated generations of prodigious leaders. It was also indeed a proud moment for 93 young pilots and seven navigators who earned their coveted ‘Wings and Brevets’, along with nine officers of Navy and one officer of Coast Guard, on successful completion of their intricate and vigorous flying training.

Minister of Defence gave away various awards to the Flying officers who had excelled in their training.

Flying Officer Adarsh Hooda from the Flying branch was awarded President’s Plaque and the Chief of the Air Staff ‘Sword of Honour’ for standing first in Overall Merit in Pilot Course.

Flying Officer Narendra Kushwaha and Flying Officer Sahil Yadav were awarded President’s Plaque for being first in overall merit in Navigation and Ground Duty branches respectively.

All the esteemed guests, including proud parents of the graduating trainees and various military and civilian dignitaries, were held spellbound at the grand ceremony.

Flight Cadets of all branches, on joining, are imparted their Basic Training together at AFA, whose foremost aim is to transform the selected young trainees into Air Warriors of the highest professional, intellectual, physical and moral calibre, dedicated to a lifetime of synergy service to the nation. The joint training also builds absolute bonhomie and camaraderie amongst them.

Subsequently they undergo professional and advanced training at various Air Force Stations at Hakimpet, Begumpet and Yelahanka, and Air Force Administrative College (Coimbatore) besides the AFA itself, based on their area of specialisation.

They all re-assemble at AFA for ‘Combined Graduation Parade’ from the portals of the majestic “Sekhon Block”, a landmark building named after Flying Officer NS Sekhon, Param Vir Chakra.