Pakistan defense on cutting edge, says General Ahsan Hayat

ISLAMABAD: Vice Chief of Army Staff, General Ahsan Saleem Hayat said that Pakistan Air Force is at the cutting edge of our defence capability, and has always lived up to the nation’s aspirations.

The passing out parade of 116th G.D (P) Course, A total of 36 aviation cadet which includes first ever batch of four female pilots, Vice Chief of Army Staff, General Ahsan Saleem Hayat, NI (M), who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, reviewed the parade and awarded flying badges to the graduating aviation cadets.

He said as pilots of Pakistan Air Force, the responsibility of defending the aerial frontiers would now rest on your shoulders. You are a symbol of pride for the nation, and no sacrifice can be too great to defend the honour and sovereignty of your homeland, he added.

The Chief Guest expressed exceptional delight on the passing out of the first batch of 04 lady pilots. He commended the efforts of the PAF Academy in imparting quality training to them and also praised the passion, professional competence and endurance of the lady pilots.

He also said that Pakistani women have immense potential and can achieve distinctions in any field.

After reviewing the parade, the Chief Guest awarded flying badges to the graduating cadets, and Trophies, and Sword of Honour to outstanding performers.

Trophy for Best performance in General Service Training was awarded to Aviation Cadet Academy Under Officer, Taimoor Khan Jadoon, Asghar Hussain trophy for best performance in academics was achieved by Aviation Cadet, Nadia Gul,Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for Best performance in Flying was lifted by Aviation Cadet, Squadron Under Officer, Earaj Jamal Tahir.

Aviation Cadet Academy Under Officer, Taimoor Khan Jadoon, claimed the coveted Sword of Honour for Best All-round performance. Moreover, the Chief Guest also awarded the Quaid-i-Azam Banner to No 4 Squadron, for being the champion Squadron.

The Graduation Ceremony ended with a display of immaculate and thrilling aerobatics by the flyers of K-8 (Academy Hawks) and T-37 aircraft (Sherdils). The spectators greatly appreciated the skill and mastery of PAF aviators.

Flying Officers Saba Khan, Nadia Gul, Mariam Khalil and Saira Batool are the first females to earn the coveted flying badges in Pakistan Air Force. The lady officers had joined the Academy in October, 2002.

During their over three years stay at the Academy, they have gone through demanding general service training, strenuous academic education and rigorous flying training on MFI-17 Super Mushshak, and T-37 Jet aircraft. Now they have been commissioned as flying officers in General Duty (Pilot) Branch of Pakistan Air Force. From this stage onwards, depending on the requirements of Air Headquarters, they would be utilised for operational duties on different types of aircraft on the inventory of PAF.

It may be noted that female officers in PAF, approximately five percent of the total strength, are effectively performing duties in Engineering, Medical, Education, Accounts, Meteorology, IT, Air Traffic Control, Logistics and Administration branches.

Two of the lady pilots, who have graduated Thursday, belong to Quetta (Balochistan). One of them belongs to Peshawar (NWFP) and one belongs to Bahawalpur (Punjab).