Air Technical Officers Inducted into Navy & Coast Guard

Air Technical Officers Inducted into Navy & Coast Guard

10 ‘Engineer’ officers from the Navy, four from the Coast Guard and two each from Bangladesh and Vietnam Navies joined the 'Aviation Arm' of the respective service on successful completion of the Air Engineering and Air Electrical Officers Specialisation Course at Naval Base, Kochi. A ceremonial Passing Out Parade on the special occasion of graduation of  60th (Diamond Jubilee) Course  of Air Engineer and Air Electrical Officers specialisation was held at Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology (NIAT) at Naval Base, Kochi on 18 January 2020 which was reviewed by Rear Admiral V M Doss, VSM, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air Material). Guest of Honour Air Commodore Biji Philip, VSM, Commandant, Air Force Technical College, Bengaluru also witnessed the occasion.

Assistant Commandant Divesh P and Assistant Commandant Vijesh V Nair were awarded the HAL trophy and the Chief of Naval Staff trophy for standing first in overall order of merit amongst Air Engineering and Air Electrical officers respectively. The Director General Coast Guard trophy for Best All Round Officer was awarded to Lieutenant Deepinder Singh Kular, whereas Venduruthy shield for Best Air Technical Project was awarded to Lieutenant Waghade Bhusan Arvind and Lieutenant Deepinder Singh Kular. Rear Admiral V M Doss congratulated the prize winners and all officers, especially those from friendly foreign countries in successfully completing the course. He lauded the efforts of NIAT for ensuring high standards of excellence in professional training. He brought out that NIAT has transformed itself into a ‘Centre of Excellence for Aeronautical Science and Technology’ and her alumni have brought laurels to Indian Navy by rendering 63 years of yeoman service to Naval Aviation. The Flag Officer reminded the young officers the importance of maintaining professional competence and keeping abreast of the latest technologies.

The officers have undergone 52 weeks of intensive training in advanced aeronautical subjects, besides practical training on various types of aircraft operated by both the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. On passing out from NIAT, the officers would be proceeding to their respective air squadrons at various naval air stations for their competency, which would culminate with the award of M-Tech degree, from the Cochin University of Science and Technology.