PM seeks constant BAF vigil for skyline’s security [ Tritiyo Matra News ]

PM seeks constant BAF vigil for skyline’s security

Local December 30, 2015

The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on Tuesday asked Bangladesh Air Force to keep a constant vigil for the security of the country’s skyline as she joined an officers’ induction ceremony at BAF Academy Parade Ground in Jessore.
‘You are now a (great) partner of a sacred responsibility for protecting our beloved motherland. I hope that you would always remain vigil to keep free Bangladesh’s air space being imbued with the spirit of the great Liberation War and true patriotism as well as remaining respectful to holy constitution,’ she said.
The premier noted that the newly-commissioned BAF officers were now a great partner of safeguarding the country and asked them to stay alert always to keep free Bangladesh’s sky.
Her comments came as she was addressing the Winter President Parade of 72 Flight Cadet Course and Direct Entry 2015/B Officer Cadet Course of Bangladesh Air Force at BAF Academy Parade Ground Tuesday morning.
Earlier, the premier reviewed the smartly turned-out parade and took salute at an impressive march past as the chief guest while she also handed over trophies, certificates and flying badges among the flight cadets.
Flight Cadet Academy under officer Md Abu Hasan Mehedi commanded the parade, which was followed by a spectacular fly past of different BAF aircraft.
On her arrival at the scene, chief of air staff Air Marshal Abu Esrar and Commandant of BAF Academy Air Commodore Muhammad Nazrul Islam received the premier.
Ministers, parliament members, army and navy chiefs, diplomats, senior civil and military officials, distinguished people in the region and guardians of the flight cadets were also present.
Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that the newly-commissioned officers would properly practise the basic training they received from the Air Force Academy and continue to pursue professional development.
‘You will have to turn every challenge into an opportunity and apply it in your personal and professional life,’ she said.
The premier reminded the new recruits that they would be the air force’s future leaders which would require them to build themselves as able successors of the force and ‘for this, there is no alternative to honesty, sincerity and integrity’.
She said ‘air power’ in the contemporary technology-based era brought about a revolutionary change in all types of battle and therefore ‘I hope you to further increase the capability of the air force through the knowledge and prudence you gained from training and mastering the new technology’.
The premier particularly expressed her happiness over the lively participation of the female cadets at the spectacular parade and specially congratulated two female pilots who achieved flying badges at the ceremony saying ‘the country’s womenfolk are advancing in all fields’.
She said the country continued to witness stunning development in all sectors and ‘every member of the air force is a partner of this advancement’.
‘So you will have to work by giving the interest of the air force meaning the country above the personal interest,’ she said.
The prime minister reminded the BAF recruits that all the aircraft, establishments and war equipment of the force were national assets and asked them to ensure their maximum utilisation and proper maintenance.
‘I hope that you would further increase the reputation and dignity of the force by protecting and properly using these national assets,’ she said.
Elaborating various steps of her government to modernise the air force the premier said the fourth generation and the most modern MiG-29 fighter planes, C-130 transport aircraft and high-powered air defence RADAR system were inducted in the force during 1996-2001 tenure of her previous government.
On the other hand, she said, F-7 BG1 war planes, Mi-171 SH helicopters, state-of-the-art surface to air missiles FM-90 have been added to the air force as part of modernisation of the armed forces over the last seven years in the light of the Forces Goal-2030.
‘Besides air base Bangabandhu in Dhaka and air base Cox’s Bazar have been transformed into full-fledged air bases, while Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre has been constructed to ensure proper, safe and cost effective maintenance and overhauling of all aircraft and other machineries,’ she said.
The prime minister said most modern YAK-130 combat trainer aircraft and maritime search and rescue AW139 helicopters with sophisticated technologies were recently added to the air force.
The YLC-6 air defence RADAR has been set up in Cox’s Bazar for round-the-clock surveillance in the air space of maritime exclusive economic zone, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the air force has been working relentlessly in facing natural disasters, carrying out rescue operation and distributing relief materials side by side with safeguarding independence and sovereignty of the country.
She recalled with appreciation BAF’s role in the rescue and support campaign following the recent devastating earthquake in Nepal and said ‘Bangladesh Air Force has been playing an important role during any national natural disasters in the friendly countries’.
The premier said the country’s air force also earned world leaders appreciations for their role in the UN peacekeeping missions and contributing to establishing world peace through their dutifulness and professionalism.
At the outset of her speech, the prime minister paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and said immediately after independence, Bangabandhu took initiative to build an efficient and all-round air force despite financial limitation.
‘Following his footprint, we have now turned the air force into a strong and dignified force,’ she said.
With Tuesday’s Winter President Parade, a total of 75 flight cadets including 43 flight cadets from 72 Flight Cadet Course and 32 officer cadets from Direct Entry 2015/B Officer Cadet Course were commissioned.
Among them 11 were female cadets.
Flight Cadet under officer Md Abu Hasan Mehedi was presented with the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ for his best all round performance in 72 Flight Cadet Course, while Flight Cadet Mohammad Ali received the ‘Commandant’s Trophy’ for his best performance in General Service Training.