President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday conferred the Presidential Standards on two premier combat units of the Indian Air Force, No. 47 Squadron and the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), at an impressive parade at the Gwalior airbase.
The Standards were received, in the presence of Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. 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 TACDE Group Commandant Captain Surat Singh and Commodore Commandant Air Marshal S. Mukerji, an official release said.
The parade, presented by air warriors from both units and those from the Gwalior airbase, followed the presentation of the Standards. The President also released a First Day cover and a brochure.
Addressing journalists, the Air Chief formally announced that the President will fly a Su-30 MKI at the Pune airbase on November 25.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, IAF Marshal Arjan Singh, and several senior serving and retired officers of the two units were present at the ceremony.
