Dundigal: Outgoing Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh “completed the full circle” on Tuesday by completing his last sortie in an aircraft in which he had soared into the skies several decades ago.
The air chief was accompanied by his flying instructor during the days at the flying academy in Dundigal.
ACM Singh took to the sky in an HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer aircraft, which he revealed was the first aircraft that showed him the skies. Wing Commander V S Kochar (Retd), his instructor, was by his side during the 55-minute sortie.
The aircraft, with tail number U 707, was accorded a water-cannon salute after it landed back. He “wanted to complete the circle” by flying the machine in his uniform along with his instructor, the air chief said, as reported by ANI.
Describing the occasion as a dream come true, he reflected on the beginning of his journey.
“It was really a dream come true. I started my journey with the same aircraft. I think I must be the only chief who’s retiring while the basic aircraft he flew is still serving,” ACM Singh said.
“So, I think I’m very grateful. I’m very grateful to my instructor, Wing Commander Kochhar Sir, who taught me flying in the beginning, in this place itself,” he said.
“And so I just wanted the circle to be complete, and do — I did my first sortie on January 28 way back in 1984, in this very place with him in a Kiran aircraft. And today, I did my last sortie in uniform with him in the same Kiran aircraft,” he said.
With this sortie, the CAS concluded a distinguished chapter of flying, carrying forward the experience, discipline and commitment that have defined his association with the Indian Air Force, ANI reported, citing the IAF.
The air chief passed out from the Air Force Academy in 1984 with a Sword of Honour.
He had flown his last fighter jet sortie on a Tejas on October 12 during Exercise Tarang Shakti at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is set to take over as the Chief of Air Staff on October 31.