President Droupadi Murmu reviewed the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 211th Course on Saturday morning at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal, near Hyderabad.
According to AFA officials, this is the first time the President has served as the reviewing officer. The CGP parade is currently taking place at the Airforce Academy in Dundigul.
The CGP is held to commemorate the completion of Pre-Commissioning Training for flight cadets from various branches of the Indian Airforce.
During the parade, which will mark the successful completion of training, ranks on the shoulders of the Flight Cadets are unveiled, representing the award of the President’s Commission, an official statement said.
The RO also pins the ‘Wings’ and ‘Brevets’ on the chest of cadets, depending on the branch they are being commissioned into. The ceremony includes the presentation of ‘Wings’ and ‘Brevets’ to officers of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and cadets from Friendly Foreign Countries, who the Air Force has trained, according to an official statement.
As per the release, the Flight Cadet of the Flying Branch standing first in the Order of Merit will be given the privilege of commanding the parade and will be awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’ and the President’s Plaque in recognition of his/her performance.
The Flight Cadet standing first in the overall Order of Merit in the Ground Duty branches will also be presented with the President’s Plaque.
The Parade will be followed by an aerobatic display by Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft, a Fly-past by the formation of PC-7, an aerobatic show by Su-30 and synchronous aerobatic displays by the helicopter display team ‘Sarang’ and the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, added the release.
