RISALPUR: Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman has said that Pakistan Air Force is capable and committed to meet any challenge.
He was addressing the passing out parade of fighter pilots and engineers at RisalpurAcademy on Friday, which was also witnessed by the visiting Turkish Air Chief General Abidin Unal.
The Air Chief said that relationship between Pakistan and Turkey goes beyond the level of governments and permeates to all sections of our respective societies. He said that both air forces are maintaining close collaboration in areas of operations, maintenance and training. He also acknowledged the outstanding role being played by the PAF towards achieving the goals of national security. He hoped that the relationship between two air forces would continue to flourish with the same vigour in times to come.
Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force also addressed during the ceremony. Pakistan and Turkey enjoys cordial and brotherly relations which are spanned over decades. Conduct of regular Joint Exercises and sharing of professional knowledge and combat experiences are true manifestation of these relations. He thanked Commander Turkish Air Force for providing 34 T-37 aircraft as a gift to PAF for ab-initio jet training of PAF pilots.
A total of 164 Under Training Officers including 12 lady officers graduated at the occasion. The Chief Guest awarded branch insignias to the graduating officers and also gave away trophies to the distinction holders. The chief guest awarded Quaid-e-Azam Banner to No 1 Squadron, the new Champion Squadron of the Academy.
In College of Flying Training, Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for best performance in Flying Training was clinched by Pilot Officer Bilal Hussain while, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Trophy for Best Performance in General Service Training was won by Pilot Officer Bilal Bin Illyas. The coveted Sword of Honour for Overall Best Performance in College of Flying Training was awarded to Pilot Officer Faisal Shahzad. Pilot Officer Rab Nawaz won the trophy for overall best performance in15 A&SD course.
In College of Aeronautical Engineering, Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for best performance in Engineering was clinched by Pilot Officer Aquib Zulfiqar whereas; Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Trophy for Best Performance in General Service Training was won by Pilot Officer Hassan Siddique. The coveted Sword of Honour for Overall Best Performance in College of Aeronautical Engineering was awarded to Pilot Officer Jamal Ur Rasool.
The ceremony was followed by a thrilling performance by “Eaglets”- the Para Motor Glider team of the Academy. “Sherdils”, the PAF Academy Aerobatics team also displayed an exhilarating aerial display at the occasion. The icing on the cake was a scintillating aerial display by the Pride of Pakistan, JF-17 Thunder aircraft.
Earlier, on his arrival at the Academy, the Chief Guest was received by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force and Air Vice Marshal Asim Zaheer, Air OfficerCommandingPAFAcademy, Risalpur.
The ceremony was witnessed by high-ranking Military & Civil Officials, Diplomats, foreign dignitaries and a large number of guests of graduating Under Training Officers. NNI