ISLAMABAD: The graduation ceremony of 117 Combat Support Course of PAF cadets, 83rd Engineering Course of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) cadets and commissioning of 1st GD(P) of Kuwait Air Force (KuAF) cadets was held at the PAF Academy, Risalpur Monday.
Commander Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Major General Mohammed Saleh Al Otaibi was the chief guest of the ceremony. Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was also present on the occasion, said a press release issued here.
Addressing the parade, the Saudi commander congratulated the graduating cadets including the Royal Saudi Air Force and Kuwaiti Air Force cadets on successful completion of their training.
He urged them to maintain PAF’s lofty traditions of hard work and devotion to service and add new chapters for future generations to follow.
He further said that commissioning of Saudi cadets at the PAF Academy was a shining example of shared vision and cooperation between PAF and RSAF and was a step towards strengthening the friendship and goodwill between our great nations and armed forces.
Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman also addressed the ceremony and thanked Commander Royal Saudi Air Force for accepting invitation and gracing the occasion with his august presence.
He said both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and their Air Forces enjoyed cordial and brotherly relations and reiterated PAF’s resolve to support and extend cooperation in imparting military training to Saudi Arabia and other brotherly Islamic countries.
Furthermore, he emphasized that PAF sacrifices and successes in the operation Zarb-e-Azb were testimony of its firm resolve to root out menace of terrorism from the country and the region.
He said PAF was fully committed to defend sovereignty of the country with utmost might and all possible means.
A total of 64 cadets including 13 female cadets, 3 RSAF and 12 KuAF cadets graduated at the occasion. The chief guest awarded branch insignias to the graduating cadets and trophies to the distinction holders.
Trophy for Best Allied Cadet was won by RSAF cadet Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Malki. Trophy for Best Overall Performance in 117 Combat Support Course was won by Officer Cadet Anum Ameen.
The ceremony was followed by a thrilling performance by “Eaglets” – the Para Motor Glider team of the Academy. The icing on the cake was a scintillating aerial display by “Sherdils”, the PAF Academy Aerobatics team which displayed an exhilarating aerobatics display at the occasion.
Earlier, on his arrival at the academy, the chief guest was received by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Air Officer Commanding PAF Academy Risalpur Air Vice Marshal Imran Khalid.
The ceremony was witnessed by high-ranking military and civil officials, diplomats, foreign dignitaries and a large number of guests of graduating cadets.
