The Air Force Academy (AFA) at Dundigal here, one of the most prestigious training academies in the country, commemorated 50 years of its existence on Tuesday 19th January 2021.
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, who graced the occasion, addressed trainees and instructors of AFA during a training workshop organised as part of the golden jubilee celebrations and complimented the Academy for rendering yeoman service in imparting high quality training, a defence release said on Tuesday night.
Outlining the contours of the emerging security scenario and underscoring requirements for IAF’s capability building and technological growth, he urged the trainees to imbibe the IAF’s ethos and train hard to prepare for challenges that lie ahead, it said.
He also asked them to develop tri-service domain knowledge to fight future wars, it said.
“He asked faculty at AFA and HQ Training Command to explore avenues for evolving new training methodologies, reshaping curriculum and incorporating new-gen aids to make officers future ready,” the release said.
The Chief of the Air Staff flew a sortie in a PC-7 Mk-II trainer with one of the qualified flying instructors currently serving at AFA to mark the Golden Jubilee, it said.
He unveiled a statue of the “Eternal Pilot” presented to the Academy by pioneers of 107 Pilots’ Course – the first course to undergo flying training at AFA.
He released an Indian Postal service Special Cover and Golden Jubilee medallion on the occasion, it said.
Air Force Academy, the ‘Alma mater’ of IAF’s officer cadre and one of the most prestigious training academies of the country, has come a long way in establishing itself as a world-class institution, it said.
With a team of experienced and highly qualified instructors, the Air Force Academy today conducts training for all Flying and Ground Duty branches of IAF.
In addition, AFA imparts training to officers of Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign countries in various streams, it said.
The Academy also conducts basic and advanced training for Air Traffic Control Officers of the IAF and other two sister services, the release said.
AFA Dundigal commemorated its Golden Jubilee on 19 Jan.
— SSBCrackExams (@SSBCrackExams) January 19, 2021
CAS graced the occasion with senior serving & retired officers.
He urged trainees to imbibe the ethos of IAF & train hard to prepare for future wars.
He flew a sortie in a PC-7 MKIl trainer to mark the special occasion. pic.twitter.com/xD0m6QgFQm
On AFA's Golden Jubilee, CAS unveiled a new statue of the 'Eternal Pilot' presented by pioneers of 107 PC the first course to undergo flying training in the Academy.
— SSBCrackExams (@SSBCrackExams) January 19, 2021
IAF is eternally indebted to its esteemed veterans for their sterling contribution in building the IAF of today. pic.twitter.com/jD0MhZHQhW
