22 lady officers awarded para wings at PAF Academy

ISLAMABAD: A batch of 22 lady officers and 39 male officers and airmen successfully completed their basic airborne training at the PAF Academy Risalpur Friday.

The wing award ceremony of 26th basic airborne course, conducted by PAF’s Para Training Squadron, was held at the academy. Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Asad Lodhi was the chief guest, a PAF press release issued here said.

The salient feature of this ceremony was the completion of the course by 22 lady officers from the three services for the first time in country’s history. Two lady officers from PAF, three from Pakistan Navy and 17 from Pakistan Army participated in the course and completed their training.

These energetic lady officers proved equal to the task and demonstrated utmost resilience during the training course. Air Marshal Asad Lodhi awarded para wings to the personnel after successful completion of this rigorous course. The best female paratrooper trophy was clinched by Capt Memoona while corporal technician Jamal was awarded best male paratrooper trophy.

Addressing the participants of award distribution ceremony, Air Marshal Asad Lodhi said the para wing was not a mere decoration but symbolised courage, sacrifice and perseverance.

“There are going to be innumerable challenges and hurdles that will come your way but you will have to show courage and steadfastness gained through this training to meet all challenges,” he advised the officers. He said successful completion of the course by 22 lady officers was a landmark and they should be a beacon of courage and unwavering resolve for all the other women of the country. The cherry on the cake was a scintillating freefall display by PAF skydiving team “Shehpar”. The paratroopers jumped from 10,000 feet height and successfully landed at the parade square.