Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, serving as the Chief of the Air Staff, is set to preside over a significant event on December 14: the Combined Passing Out Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, located on the outskirts of Hyderabad. This parade commemorates the conclusion of pre-commissioning training for the flight cadets of Number 214 Course, which spans various branches within the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The ceremony is particularly important as it will see the Reviewing Officer, Air Chief Marshal Singh, bestow the President’s Commission upon the graduating trainees, marking their official transition into commissioned ranks. The parade is also expected to feature the conferral of ‘Wings’ and ‘Brevets’ awards to flight cadets and officers who have successfully completed their respective training programs, including those from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and one officer from a friendly foreign nation.
One of the key highlights of this year’s CGP will be the commissioning of the inaugural batch of officers into the newly established Weapon Systems Branch of the IAF, underlining the progressive direction in which the organization is evolving. The event will place special emphasis on excellence in training, with the top-performing cadet from the Flying branch receiving the prestigious President’s Plaque and the Chief of the Air Staff Sword of Honour. This distinguished cadet will also have the honor of leading the parade.
Moreover, the ceremony will recognize the cadet who achieves the highest overall merit in the Ground Duty branch, with the same accolade of a President’s Plaque being awarded.
In addition to the formal proceedings, the CGP will feature an array of aerial performances. The event will showcase impressive displays by the SU-30 MKI, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), and the Sarang helicopter display team. A spectacular flypast, which will include aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, Hawk, Kiran, and Chetak, is also expected to enhance the event’s celebratory atmosphere.
As such, the Combined Passing Out Parade is not only a pivotal moment for the graduating cadets but also a demonstration of the Indian Air Force’s commitment to excellence and modernization within its ranks.
