United News of Bangladesh

The President Parade (Summer)-2025, marking the commissioning of No 86 BAFA (Bangladesh Air Force Academy) Course, Direct Entry-2025A, SPSSC-2025A and BLPC-2025A of Bangladesh Air Force, was held at BAF Academy in Jashore on Wednesday. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan attended the ceremony as chief guest. He reviewed the smartly turned-out parade and took salute at the impressive march past and handed over trophies and flying badges among the Graduating Officer Cadets, says a ISPR media release on Wednesday afternoon . Officer Cadet Md. Mutasim Billah Tanim was presented with the coveted ‘‘Sword of Honour’’ for the best all round performance, Officer Cadet Taki Tahmid Niloy received “Birsreshto Matiur Rahman Trophy” for the best performance in Flying Training and Officer Cadet Md. Mutasim Billah Tanim was presented “Commandants Trophy” for the best performance in General Service Training in No 86 BAFA Course. Officer cadet Mahdi Hasan Talha received “Chief of Air Staff Trophy” for the best all round performance in No 86 BAFA Course amongst the Ground Branch Officer Cadets. Mentionable that, in this Summer Term Bir Uttam A K Khandker Squadron was adjudged the Champion Squadron and was accorded Academy colour. The Navy chief, at the beginning of his speech, remembered with deep respect all the freedom fighters who laid down their lives in the great Liberation War of 1971, and the war-wounded ones whose immense sacrifices led to the achievement of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. On this special day, he also remembered the fearless and successful air operations that created unwavering morale in the Liberation War and the members of the Kilo Flight who conducted the adventurous aerial battles, whose strong conviction led to the establishment of a free and sovereign country. 15 Fire service personnel complete Swift Water Rescue Training in Cox’s Bazar He added, in various important national issues that have taken place in recent times, the patriotic members of the Air Force have always played a supportive role in the interests of the entire people of the country. The position of the Bangladesh Air Force will be further strengthened and consolidated in the coming days if necessary for the country and the people. All members of the Bangladesh Air Force are playing an important role in establishing Bangladesh as a respectable and humane nation in the world. The scope and demands of the armed forces have expanded worldwide. Keeping this goal in mind, the training system of the Air Force has been made more efficient and up-to-date. He also said that state of the training aircraft and simulators have been added to ensure better training for the future generation of the Air Force. The reputation of the training quality of the Bangladesh Air Force Academy has now become known in the international community. Many members of the domestic and foreign military are participating in training at the Air Force's educational institutions. Pilots of the Bangladesh Army and Navy are successfully receiving flight training from the Air Force Academy. So far, 30 foreign flight cadets have successfully completed their training from this academy. This has brightened and strengthened the image of the Bangladesh Air Force in the outside world. Finally, he wished success to the newly commissioned officers and thanked all the members of the Bangladesh Air Force Academy. Total 45 Officer Cadets including 01 Female Officer Cadet were commissioned during the parade.  Officer Cadet Academy Senior Under Officer Md. Mutasim Billah Tanim commanded the parade. The parade was followed by a spectacular fly past of different aircrafts, wonderful aerobatic display and para jump by the skilled paratroopers of BAF. Among others, members of diplomatic mission, serving and retired civil and military high officials, local dignitaries and guardians of the newly commissioned officers were present in the ceremony.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh Air Force is now more powerful and up-to-date than ever before, due to measures taken by her government for the development of the force. “Today's Air Force is much more powerful, modern and agile than it was in the past in terms of infrastructure, tactics and technology,” she said. The PM was addressing the President Parade (winter)-2022 of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Academy in Jashore. At the function, a total of 10 flight cadets received the flying badges from her for their successful completion of the basic flying training in PT-6 aircraft. Besides, a flight cadet received the coveted Sword of Honour and Commandant’s Trophy, while two others received Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman Trophy and Chief of Air Staff Trophy for their best performances in different categories during the 81st BAFA course. Read more: My dream is to see Bangladesh playing World Cup football: PM Hasina Speaking at the event, Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken various steps to increase the operational capacity of the air force after assuming power in 2009. The steps include the induction of F-7 BGI fighter aircrafts, C-130J transport aircraft with the latest avionics, MI-171Sh helicopters, and maritime search and rescue helicopters in the fleet of the air force. “As a result, our Air Force today is a smart and efficient force,” she said. The PM asked newly-commissioned officers of Bangladesh Air Force to develop a sense of responsibility towards the country and its people to gain public trust and confidence. “You will have to have a sense of responsibility towards the country and its people,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said members of the air force or the armed forces stand beside people of the country and serve them during disasters – cyclone, flood – or accidents. Read more: Don’t harm nature during project implementation: PM Hasina To gain public trust and confidence is most important, she said. “We don’t want war, rather want peace. We believe in the policy of friendship with all. Even then, we’ll have to maintain excellence from every aspect, getting training and to move with confidence,” she said. In line with the Defence Policy-1974, framed by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, her government has formulated a long-term ‘Forces Goal-2030’ for the Armed Forces, which is being implemented, the PM said. She said the AL government has set up Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University in Lalmonirhat, and started the operation of Air Defence Notification Centre. She said now a project of experimental aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle construction through Bangladesh Air Force's own manpower and acquired technology is underway. “I think a new era will open for us (over the aircraft manufacturing industry), if we can do these (complete the project),” she added. Read more: PM Hasina hails the Armed Forces for standing by the people : PM Sheikh Hasina said her government has always put emphasis on the development and modernisation of training facilities to enhance the overall efficiency of air force personnel. To ensure improved and time-befitting training, the latest Yak-130 combat trainer with state-of-the-art fly-by-wire and digital cockpit, K-8W jet trainer, L-410 transport trainer, AW119KX helicopter trainer and different simulators have been added to the air force, she said. The most recent addition was the Grob training aircraft.  The basic flight training will be started with this state-of-the-art training aircraft, she said, adding that the night vision trainer has also been added to facilitate flying training of the Air Force pilots at night. The government has approved the organisational structure of Helicopter Simulator Training Institute and Airman Training Institute and most recently the organisational structure of the Air Command Operations Center. “As a result, our air defence system has become foolproof and it’s easier to monitor a wide range of aircraft operations in the country's airspace. Not only operations and training, we’ve taken multi-faceted welfare initiatives to improve the lives of all serving and retired members of the Bangladesh Air Force,” she said. Pointing at the passing cadets, the premier asked them to strive for professional excellence through proper training. Earlier, the PM inspected the smartly turned-out parade and took salute at the BAF Academy Parade Ground as well as witnessed a spectacular fly-past and aerobatic display. On her arrival at the venue, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan received the Prime Minister.