RISALPUR: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Turkey are collaborating in a number of operational areas and these ties would continue to flourish with the passage of time, Commander of Turkish Air Force Gen Abidin Unal said here on Friday.

Gen Unal was addressing the graduation ceremony of 135 General Duty (Pilot), 80 and 81 engineering courses, and 15, 16 and 16(A) A and SD courses, where he was the chief guest.

A total of 164 under-training officers, including 12 women officers, were awarded branch insignias at the ceremony.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was present on the occasion.

The Turkish commander said that both countries’ air forces were collaborating in areas of operations, maintenance and training. He acknowledged the outstanding role being played by the PAF for national security and expressed the hope that the relationship between the two air forces would continue to flourish with the same vigour in times to come.

The PAF chief said that Pakistan and Turkey had enjoyed cordial and brotherly relations over the last several decades. “Regular joint exercises and sharing of professional knowledge and combat experiences are a true manifestation of these relations,” he said. The air chief thanked his Turkish counterpart for gifting 34 T-37 aircraft to the PAF for training of pilots.

Later, the chief guest awarded branch insignias to the graduating officers and gave away trophies to distinction holders.

The Quaid-i-Azam Banner was awarded to No 1 Squadron, the new champion squadron of the academy. In the college of flying training, the Chief of Air Staff Trophy for best performance in flying training was clinched by Pilot Officer Bilal Hussain, while the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Trophy for best performance in general service training was awarded to Pilot Officer Bilal Bin Illyas.

The coveted Sword of Honour for overall best performance in the college of flying training was given to Pilot Officer Faisal Shahzad. Pilot Officer Rab Nawaz won the trophy for overall best performance in 15 A&SD course.

In the college of aeronautical engineering, the COAS Trophy for best performance in engineering was clinched by Pilot Officer Aquib Zulfiqar, while the Chairman JCOSC Trophy for best performance in general service training was won by Pilot Officer Hassan Siddique. The Sword of Honour for overall best performance in college of aeronautical engineering was awarded to Pilot Officer Jamalul Rasool.

The ceremony was followed by a thrilling performance by ‘Eaglets’ — the para motor glider team of the academy. `Sherdils’, the PAF academy aerobatics team, displayed an exhilarating aerial display. The icing on the cake was a scintillating aerial display of the JF-17 Thunder aircraft.

The ceremony was attended by high-ranking military and civil officials, diplomats, foreign dignitaries and a large number of guests of the graduating officers.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2016