Largest batch of Air Technical Officers join Naval air arm

KOCHI: The largest batch of Air Technical Officers--43 officers, including two from the Indian Coast Guard, passed out today from the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology and joined the aviation arm of the Navy and Coast Guard.

The Passing Out parade, held at Naval Base, was reviewed by Rear Admiral AK Jain, the Chief of Staff of Southern Naval Command while Commodore Sanjeev Dureja, Director NIAT conducted the parade, a naval press release said.

This increased input is to cater for the rapid expansion of Naval Air Arm view induction of latest generation of aircraft like MiG 29K, Boeing P8I, Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer as well as operationalisation of the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya.

On completion of On Job Training (OJT) for a period of six months, at various frontline squadrons of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, the officers would be awarded MTech degree in Aeronautical Engineering by the Institute under the aegis of Cochin University of Science and Technology.

Sub Lieutenant Vignesh Kumar was awarded the Director General Coast Guard trophy for the Best All Rounder. Lieutenant Commander Shine Vijayan and Lieutenant Ashok Anand were adjudged First in Order of Merit among Air Electrical Officers and Air Engineer Officers respectively. The Venduruthy trophy for the Best Air Technical Project was awarded to a syndicate comprising of four officers.

While congratulating the award winners, the Rear Admiral lauded the efforts of the Air Technical Officers in ensuring highest serviceability of aircraft and equipment despite an aging fleet and reminded them of the onerous task of maintaining an aging fleet concurrently with the latest aircraft which would test their knowledge acquired at the Institute to the limit.