President Awards Standards to 47 SQN, TACDE at Gwalior

The President of India and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred the Presidential Standards to two premiere combat units of the IAF - No. 47 Squadron and Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) at an impressive presentation parade held at the Gwalior airbase, today.

The Standards were received in the presence of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik by Commanding Officer of No. 47 Squadron (Black Archers) Wing Commander Vikas Sharma and Commodore Commandant Air Vice Marshal Arup Raha, and subsequently by Commandant TACDE Group Captain Surat Singh and Commodore Commandant Air Marshal S Mukerji, , respectively.

An impressive parade comprising air warriors from both units as well those from the Gwalior airbase followed the Standard presentation. The President also released a First Day cover and a Brochure on the occasion.

A fly-past comprising AWACS flanked by two Su-30 MKI, a single Mig-21 (T-77), a vic each of three Mig-21s(T-96), Mig-27s, Mig-29s and Su-30 MKIs enthralled the onlookers. The IAF’s helicopter display team – Sarang undertook a captivating display while a single Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft, the mainstay of the Gwalior airbase, displayed low-level aerobatics.

The President later interacted with the air warriors of the two Units and others from the airbase. Among the senior dignitaries present included Madhya Pradesh Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. Several other senior serving and retired officers of the two units were also present at the ceremony.

Later, addressing media persons on the sidelines of the Standards presentation, Air Chief formally announced the proposed flight of the President on a Su-30 MKI at Pune airbase on Nov 25.

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TKS/VJ
(Release ID :53975)