Be committed to aviation for life: Lt Gen Thamburaj

Nashik, May 8 (UNI) Be committed to aviation throughout life, GOC in C Southern command Lt Gen Nobel Thamburaj advised 41 officers of Combat Army Aviation Training School (CATS) on the occasion of valedictory ceremony, here today.

''You must remain committed students of aviation throughout your life. You must gain more and more experience to be the best because in war only the best survives,'' LT Gen Thamburaj said while addressing the ninth batch CATS students.

Presenting the 'Wings' to the successful young officers, Lt Gen Thamburaj reminded the future aviators of the mammoth responsibility and the expectations from them. ''With more than 40 per cent of Aviation units operationally committed, intense-counter insurgency environment is a routine for aviators in Northern and Eastern Command. Be it Sri Lanka, Siachen or Congo, the Army Aviators earned laurels on a daily basis and have a gallant history. Today, everyone, from a foot soldier to the field Army Commanders, look-up at the Army Aviation to keep pace with the futuristic battlefield scenario,'' he said.

Briefing mediapersons, he said that Army Aviation has proved to be the National mainstay in disaster management. Army Aviation being the 'First in and last out', anywhere in the country, has saved many a lives and acted as saviors from the sky when their fellow countrymen needed them the most.

Silver Cheetah Trophy for Best overall student, Fledglings Trophy for pre-Army pilot's course and AOP-35 trophy for best student in ground studies was presented to Capt Raj Kumar. Capt S K Sharma Memorial Trophy for the officer adjudged best in flying and Capt P K Gaur Memorial Trophy for best officer in direction of artillery fire was presented to Capt Jitendra Bhiroria.

Officers from various disciplines of Army graduate into combat ready aviators after 12-13 months rigorous training at the CATS.

They get the basic training at Army Training Wing (ATW), Jhansi and Basic Flying Training School (BFTS), Allahabad. Afterwards, they get the operational or Combat Aviation training at the CATS to be a professionally qualified Combat Aviator.

An air show exhibiting various aviation skills of the aviators was also held on the occasion.

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