The graduation ceremony of the 118th Combat Support Course and 39th BLPC Course was held at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy at Asghar Khan on Friday.
Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen John Hillier was the chief guest of the ceremony with PAF Air Chief of the Air Staff Chief Marshal Sohail Aman also in attendance.
During his address, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen John Hillier congratulated the graduating cadets on the successful completion of their training. He referred to the historical linkages between the PAF and Royal Air Force in the realms of operations and mutually beneficial training programmes. He said that his visit was a manifestation of the shared feelings of mutual respect and close cooperation which existed between the two air forces and indeed the two nations. He also lauded the PAF’s frontline role in the military operation against terrorists.
Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman during his address said that both Pakistan and the United Kingdom enjoyed a relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation. He further said that the Royal Air Force had rendered valuable contributions towards the development of the PAF, especially in its early years, which was deeply appreciated by the PAF.
He added that relations between the two countries and their air forces would continue to strengthen even further. He reiterated that the PAF was poised to face all emerging challenges and that the successes in Zarb-e-Azb were a testimony of its enhanced operational efficiency. The air chief further said that the PAF had a firm resolve to root out the menace of terrorism from the country.
A total of 43 cadets, including 9 women, graduated on the occasion, with the chief guest awarding branch insignia and trophies to the distinction holders.
The trophy for best performance in the 118th Combat Support Course was awarded to Aviation Cadet Maymoona Liaquat, while Aviation Cadet Muhammad Zada received the trophy for overall best performance in the 39th BLPC Course.
The ceremony was followed by a thrilling performance by the Eaglets- the paramotor glider team of the academy. The PAF academy aerobatics teams also displayed an exhilarating aerial display.
The ceremony was witnessed by high-ranking military and civil officials, diplomats, foreign dignitaries, and a large number of guests of the graduating cadets.
