Six officers graduate from Naval Air Ops School’s centennial course

Six personnel graduate from Naval Air Ops School in Kochi, receiving 'golden wings' and advanced training for air operations.

A total of six personnel graduated from the centennial course of the Naval Air Ops (NAO) School in Kochi. A passing-out ceremony was held at INS Garuda here on Friday (January 17).

The ceremony saw graduates of the 100th Regular Air Ops Course pass out donning the coveted ‘golden wings’. They are from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign navies.

After reviewing the passing-out ceremony, Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, Director General of Naval Operations, and an alumnus of the school, commended efforts by professional schools of the Southern Naval Command to equip graduates as air-borne tacticians. He said the NAO School, a makeshift arrangement over six decades ago, had evolved into one with cutting-edge technologies, including an advanced flying and tactical simulator.

The NAO School had its beginning at INS Garuda in 1960. Flying training at the school is undertaken on modern Dornier aircraft, and the trainees upon completion of their course would be able to undertake a plethora of operations, including maritime reconnaissance, search and rescue, and anti-submarine operations.

Trophies and prizes were awarded in recognition of those who distinguished themselves during the course. The Uttar Pradesh Trophy, instituted by the Government of Uttar Pradesh was awarded to Lt. Sreeramdas Nitish for best all-round performance.

He also won the Sub Lt. R.V. Kunte Memorial Book Prize, instituted by the Headquarters, Southern Naval Command, while the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy was awarded to Lt. Aditya Pandey for standing first in order of merit in flying. Vice Admiral Pramod felicitated the personnel.

The Wings of Gold were conferred upon the young graduates, marking the culmination of their training. These officers will now join various frontline Naval air squadrons to hone their skills on their designated aircraft, Navy sources said.