Over 650 cadets, airmen and airwomen pass out from SLAF Academy China Bay
Over 650 Air Force cadets, airmen and airwomen passed out from the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Academy China Bay while six pilot officers received their flying brevets on Friday.
Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was the Chief Guest at the event.
The passing out parade was commanded by Roshan Gunawardena, Commanding Officer at the SLAF academy China Bay. This was followed by an aerobatic display of PT6 aircraft by the “Blue Eagles” aerobatics team.
This aerobatic display was the first of its kind in the history of the SLAF and was piloted by Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) of the No.1 Flying Training Wing.
A band display and a drill display were then performed by the SLAF Colour Wing while the newly passed out recruits performed an unnamed combat display. This was in addition to a parachute display and a camp attack display that added colour to the event.
Meanwhile, Air Force Commander K ap i l a Jayampathy introduced a set of special awards in recognition of the exceptional performances of the officer cadets. These awards were named after the officers of those respective branches who had laid their lives for the country.
These memorial awards were given to 14 cadets for their brilliant performances during their three year training programme.
Air Force Chief of Staff, Sumangala Dias, the Air Force Board of Management, the Commandant of the SLAF Academy China Bay, Air Commodore Sampath Thuyacontha, senior officers of the Army, Navy, and the Police of Trincomalee District also attended the event.