Hyderabad: Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Tuesday completed his final flying sortie aboard HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer aircraft at his alma mater near Hyderabad, bringing a distinguished flying career to a close.
At the end of the 55-minute sortie at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal in Telangana, Singh acknowledged it was his "last sortie in uniform."
The flight particularly special as the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) flew with his first flying instructor, Wing Commander V S Kochar (Retd), in an aircraft bearing tail number U 707. The occasion marked a poignant reunion between instructor and student, reconnecting the CAS with the beginnings of his flying journey in IAF.
Air Chief Marshal Singh was given a water cannon salute as a mark of respect as he landed, concluding the sortie.
A journey that came full circle
Recalling his first flight in January 1984 with Kochar in a Kiran aircraft at the AFA, Singh said he did his "last sortie in uniform" on Tuesday with his teacher by his side. He expressed his gratitude to his guru.
When reminded that he started his flying career with the Kiran aircraft and "ended" with the same, Singh said it was a "dream come true".
"I started my journey with the same aircraft. I think I must be the only Chief who is retiring on the basic aircraft he flew is still serving. I am very grateful to my instructor Kochar sir who taught me flying in the beginning, in this place itself. So, I just wanted the circle to be complete," he told reporters after landing.
Describing Singh as the "brightest pupil ever" and the "best chief", 73-year-old Kochar said it was a dream come true for him as well to get "one more trip".
A Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot with an experience of several thousand hours of service flying on a variety of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, he is set to superannuate on October 31.
The last fighter jet sortie
Recently, during multilateral air exercise 'Tarang Shakti' hosted at Jodhpur Air Force Station, he had flown his last fighter jet sortie aboard an indigenous Tejas.
The IAF on October 12 had shared a video of that sortie, and said that it reflected the "spirit of a fighter pilot who has always believed in leading from the front".
On Air Chief Marshal AP Singh
A Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot with an experience of several thousand hours of service flying on a variety of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, he is set to superannuate on October 31.
The air officer had undertaken his first-ever flying sortie on January 28, 1984, an official said.
With the final sortie, the CAS concluded a distinguished chapter of flying, carrying forward the experience, discipline and commitment that have defined his association with the Force.
The CAS was commissioned in December 1984 in the fighter stream of the IAF.
The chief passed out from the AFA in 1984 with a Sword of Honour. The CAS is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is going to succeed Singh as the Chief of Air Staff on October 31.
(With inputs from PTI & ANI)
