In a poignant conclusion to his illustrious flying career, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh embarked on his final trainer sortie on Tuesday. The sortie, which took place at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal near Hyderabad, saw the IAF Chief flying a Kiran aircraft, the same type of plane that marked the beginning of his flying career.
The Air Force Academy, where Air Chief Marshal Singh started his flying training, held a special significance for the outgoing IAF Chief. It was here that he passed out in 1984 with the prestigious Sword of Honour, an award that recognizes exceptional merit and excellence among cadets.
As Air Chief Marshal Singh landed after completing his final trainer sortie, he was given a water cannon salute by the Air Force personnel as a mark of respect. This gesture was a fitting tribute to the IAF Chief's distinguished career, which spans several decades and includes numerous achievements and milestones.
Notably, Air Chief Marshal Singh's instructor during the sortie was Wing Commander (retd) VS Kochchar, with whom he shared a nostalgic flight. This reunion added a touching dimension to the IAF Chief's final sortie, as it brought back memories of his early days as a cadet at the AFA.
Air Chief Marshal Singh's last fighter jet sortie took place on October 12, when he flew an indigenous Tejas aircraft during Exercise Tarang Shakti at the Jodhpur Air Force Station. With his final trainer sortie now completed, the IAF Chief is set to superannuate at the end of this month, marking the end of an era in the Indian Air Force.
The Kiran aircraft, on which Air Chief Marshal Singh undertook his final trainer sortie, is a jet trainer that has been used by the IAF for several decades. It was also the aircraft that Air Chief Marshal Singh first flew when he began his flying career, making his final sortie in the same aircraft a symbolic full-circle moment.
As the Indian Air Force bids farewell to its outgoing Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh's legacy and contributions to the force will be remembered for years to come. His dedication, leadership, and commitment to the IAF have left an indelible mark, inspiring generations of air warriors to follow in his footsteps.
With his superannuation imminent, Air Chief Marshal Singh will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most distinguished and revered Chiefs in the history of the Indian Air Force. His final trainer sortie, which marked a nostalgic end to his flying career, will be etched in the memories of his colleagues and the entire IAF community for a long time to come.
