'Air Warriors' inducted into IAF

CHENNAI: As many as 342 'Air Warriors' were inducted into the Indian Air Force at a passing-out parade held at the Air Force Base, Tambaram here today.

The 'warriors' went through a rigorous intensive training before completing their training at the two premier institutes of the base, mechanical training institute and workshop training institute, a Defence press release here said.

Air Marshal Arup Raha, Western Air Command, reviewed the parade and presented trophies to the meritorious Air Warriors.

Addressing the newly inducted cadets, he said the operational efficiency of the IAF hinged upon maintenance and administrative support.

"This was vital, as the IAF was in the process of a technology based transformation and modernization with the phased induction of high performance, state-of-art aircraft and high-precision military hardware and automation."

The `best all rounder trophy' was awarded to LAC Shailendra Pratap Pal , Weapon Fitter of Mechanical Training Institute and LAC Md Tarique Raza Met Asst of Workshop Training Institute respectively, the release added.