15 helicopter pilots graduate at INS Rajali

Chennai, Jun 17: A batch of 10 Navy and five Coast Guard pilots on Friday,June 17 completed their helicopter training course at Navy's airbase INS Rajali at Arakonam near here.

At the graduation of the 86th Helicopter Conversion Course here, the 15 pilots were awarded "Wings" by Rear Admiral and Flag Officer Alok Bhatnagar.

"The pilots underwent rigorous training for 21 weeks in flying and aviation subjects at Indian Naval Air squadron 561, the Helicopter Training School led by Commander Vijay Verma," a Defence release said.

After the ceremonial review held today, the Rear Admiral presented the "Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy" to Assistant Commandant Ankush Kumar Singh for being adjudged as Best All Round Trainee Pilot.

"The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy" was also given to Assistant Commandant Ankush Kumar Singh for standing first in the order of merit.

A 'book prize' was presented to Sub Lieutenant Kailash Nair R for ranking first in ground subjects. Upon completion of the course, the pilots would join operational flights in Daman, Goa, Kochi, Mumbai, Port Blair and Visakhapatnam.

The Helicopter Training School was based in Kochi in Kerala till 1992 and then shifted to INS Rajali, which is the largest operational air base for Indian Navy commanded by Commodore V K Pisharody.

PTI