Graduation ceremony held at PAF academy

RISALPUR: General Hasan Küçükakyüz, Commander Turkish Air Force while acknowledging the efforts of Pakistan for regional peace has said that great sacrifices of Pakistani nation and through professionalism displayed by its armed forces in eradicating extremism and terrorism from the country and the region are regarded very high by the Turkish nation.

Commander Turkish Air Force was speaking as chief guest at the graduation ceremony of 141 General Duty (Pilot), 87 Engineering Course, 97 Air Defence, 22 Admin and Special Duties (A&SD), 07 Navigation and 06 Log courses at PAF Academy, Asghar Khan, Risalpur on Thursday. General Hasan Küçükakyüz was the chief guest of the ceremony. Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was also present at the occasion.

"I am sure, the level of cooperation that exists between the two friendly Air Forces will enhance our operational capability,” the Turkish top air force official said.

Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistani nation have always stood shoulder to shoulder with Turkey in the times of crises and Turkish nation will always stand by Pakistan in every thick and thin. He said that Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Republic of Turkey and two air forces enjoy deep-rooted brotherly relations spanning over decades. "We are closely knit together in the strong bonds of Islam, fraternity and cultural communion," he said.

He said that Pakistan Air Force has a rich history of professionalism and it always upheld the finest traditions of dynamic leadership imbued with courage, professional excellence, integrity and self-respect and its worthy predecessors have made commendable contributions towards making PAF a hard-hitting Air Force. "Under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, PAF has made remarkable progress and recently PAF under his leadership successfully thwarted aggression from eastern border," General Hasan Küçükakyüz said.

He observed that Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan's earnest pursuit to enhance operational capabilities of the PAF and taking it to further heights of glory has surely helped this hi-tech organisation to establish its status as one of the most modern air forces of the world.

A total of 101 aviation cadets including two Libyan Air Force cadets were 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 4 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 Aviation Cadet Muhammad Ijlal Zaffer while, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Trophy for Best Performance in General Service Training was won by Aviation Cadet Talha Iftikhar.

The coveted Sword of Honour for Overall Best Performance in College of Flying Training was awarded to Aviation Cadet Muhammad Faisal Shafqat. Aviation Cadet Hassnain Shahzad won the trophy for overall best performance in 22 A&SD course. Trophy for Overall Best Performance in Air Defence Course was awarded to Aviation Cadet Syed Fahad Hussain, while Aviation Cadet Faheem Abbas was awarded Trophy for Overall Best Performance in Navigation.

In College of Aeronautical Engineering, Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for best performance in Engineering and coveted Sword of Honour for Overall Best Performance in College of Aeronautical Engineering was awarded to Aviation Cadet Hammas Bin Shahab.

The ceremony was followed by a thrilling performance by a formation of 04 T-37 from Basic Flying Training Wing, “The Bravehearts”. The PAF Academy Aerobatics team “Sherdils” also displayed an exhilarating aerial display at the occasion.