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Air Marshal Sandeep Singh AVSM VM assumes the Appointment of Vice Chief of the Air Staff

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Air Marshal Sandeep Singh AVSM VM took over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on 01 Oct 21.  An alumnus of National Defence Academy, the Air Marshal was commissioned in the flying branch of IAF in Dec 1983 as a Fighter pilot.  The Air Officer is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor.  He has rich and diverse experience in operational and experimental test flying on various types of fighter aircraft and has flown about 4400 hours.

During his nearly thirty eight years of service in the IAF, the Air Marshal has held numerous important command and staff appointments.  He has commanded Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, a frontline air base and an operational fighter squadron.  He has held the appointments of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans), Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Eastern Air Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air Headquarters.  Prior to assuming the current appointment, he held the appointment of AOC-in-C South Western Air Command.

The Air Marshal is a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

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COVER STORYDefence Industry & TechnologyMILITARY

INDIAN NAVY’S FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON (1TS) VISIT TO SRI LANKA

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The 1st Training Squadron (comprising Indian Naval Ships Sujata, Magar, Shardul, Sudarshini, Tarangini and Coast Guard Ship Vikram) is on a four day visit to Sri Lanka from 24 – 28 Oct 21 as part of their Overseas Deployment for the 100th and 101st Integrated Officers Training Course. The deployment is aimed to broaden the horizons of young officers and officer-trainees by exposing them to the socio-political and maritime facets of different countries in the Indian Ocean Region. The deployment will also expose the trainees onboard towards the conduct of IN warships in various evolutions at sea, port familiarisation and above all, foster the bridges of friendship with foreign nations. 

The ships are the part of Southern Naval Command (SNC), which is the Training Command of the Indian Navy and is headed by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command (SNC). The Indian Navy has been imparting training to international trainees for more than four decades now. As on date, a large number of officers and sailors from Sri Lanka are undergoing various ab-initio to advanced courses at SNC. The Command has gained the reputation of being the finest training destination by maintaining focussed approach to provide high quality training and by constant adaptation to evolving tactics and technologies.  

The 1st Training Squadron based at Kochi provides the ‘first sea legs’ to the Executive Officers of the Indian Navy on completion of their ab-initio training at the Indian Naval Academy. The Squadron comprises seven indigenously built ships, namely, Indian Naval Ships Tir, Sujata, Magar, Shardul, Coast Guard Ship Vikram and two Sail Training Ships INS Sudarshini and INS Tarangini. The Squadron is currently helmed by Captain Aftab Ahmed Khan, Senior Officer First Training Squadron who also dons the dual hat of Commanding Officer, INS Tir.  

During the four day long deployment IN ships Magar and Shardul alongwith trainees of 101 IOTC will visit the Colombo harbour, while IN ships Sujata, Sudarshini, Tarangini and CGS Vikram will visit Trincomalee with the trainees of 100th IOTC. Various training activities are planned to be conducted between the Navies of the two countries with the aim to enhance the inter operability of the two forces.   

The period of Overseas Deployment would help in developing the skills of seamanship and ship handling and nurture a spirit of adventure among the young officers. It will, not only develop the ability to meet challenges with verve and vigour, but also inculcate a deep understanding of, and respect for, the elements within the maritime environment. The entire crew of all the visiting ships are doubly vaccinated and have also been tested for COVID-19.

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