The Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal, Hyderabad, is set to celebrate the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of its 215 Officers’ Course on June 14, 2025. This significant event marks the culmination of rigorous pre-commissioning training for the flight cadets of both the Flying and Ground Duty branches of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The parade will be graced by the presence of General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), who will serve as the Reviewing Officer. During the ceremony, General Upendra Dwivedi will confer the President’s Commission on the graduating cadets. The ceremony will also feature the presentation of ‘Wings’ to the flight cadets, including those from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and officers from friendly foreign nations who have successfully completed their flying training. As the Reviewing Officer, General Dwivedi will confer the prestigious ‘President’s Commission’ on the graduating cadets, officially inducting them as officers in their respective services.
Highlighting the significance of this day, the Flight Cadet from the Flying Branch who tops the order of merit will be honored with the Chief of the Air Staff ‘Sword of Honour’ and the President’s Plaque for outstanding performance throughout the training. This cadet will also have the prestigious role of commanding the parade. Additionally, the top-ranking trainee among the Ground Duty branches will be awarded the President’s Plaque.
The event will include a spectacular lineup of performances that highlight the operational capabilities of the IAF. The CGP will begin with awe-inspiring displays by the Akash Ganga skydiving team and the Air Warrior Drill Team (AWDT). Fly-pasts and aerial displays by the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, Hawk, Kiran, and Chetak helicopters will enthrall the audience. Showstoppers will include breathtaking aerobatics by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) and high-speed manoeuvres by the SU-30 MKI.
The Air Force Academy, known as the premier training establishment for the IAF, was founded on October 11, 1967, by then President Dr. Zakir Hussain. It has since been pivotal in training pilots, ground duty, and technical officers, promoting a spirit of camaraderie and healthy interaction among officers from all branches of the military.
This year’s CGP promises to be a memorable display of military discipline, skill, and the air prowess of the Indian Air Force, celebrating the transition of these cadets into future defenders of the skies.
