Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The graduation ceremony of 117 Combat Support Course of PAF cadets was held at the PAF Academy in Risalpur where Royal Saudi Air Force Commander Major General Mohammed Saleh Al Otaibi was the chief guest.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, was also present at the occasion. Addressing the parade, the visiting Saudi commander congratulated the graduating cadets, including the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Kuwaiti Air Force cadets on the 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 said that the commissioning of the Saudi cadets at the PAF Academy was a shining example of a shared vision and cooperation between PAF and RSAF and was a step towards strengthening the friendship and good will between the two great nations and the armed forces.

Addressing the ceremony, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman thanked the commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force for accepting their invitation and gracing the occasion with his august presence. He said that 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 Islamic countries.

Furthermore, he emphasised that PAF’s sacrifices and successes in Zarb-e-Azb security operation were testimony of its firm resolve to root out the menace of terrorism. He said that the 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, three RSAF and 12 KuAF cadets graduated at the occasion.

The chief guest awarded branch insignias to the graduating cadets and also gave away trophies to the distinction holders. The trophy for Best Allied Cadet was won by RSAF cadet Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Malki. The trophy for best overall performance in 117 combat support courses 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.

On his arrival at the academy, the chief guest was received by the Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Air Vice Marshal Imran Khalid, the air officer commanding of the PAF Academy. The ceremony was witnessed by high-ranking military and civil officials, diplomats, foreign dignitaries and a large number of guests of graduating cadets.