BANGALORE: The Air Force Technical College (AFTC), Jalahalli and Guwahati-based 59 Squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be awarded the Presidential Colours and Standards respectively.
President Pratibha Patil will be awarding the Colours and Standards at a special ceremony to be held at the AFTC on November 12.
The Presidential Standards is presented to an operational flying unit, while non-flying/static units are awarded the Presidential Colours.
Established in 1949, the AFTC, which is the cradle for engineering officers of IAF, has also conducted courses for Army, Navy, HAL and Indian Airlines engineers, besides those from friendly foreign countries.
Air Commodore Rajiv Mittal, Commandant, AFTC, told reporters on Thursday that the college was established with the aim to educate and train engineers from various disciplines on current technologies in aircraft, weapon and support systems in IAF. “It is a proud moment for this IAF establishment,” he said.
The 59 Squadron, popularly known as Hornbills, was formed in 1959 with DHC-3 Otter aircraft at Jorhat, in the hills of North East.
The squadron took active part in the 1971 Indo-Pak war on the Eastern front and during the tsunami relief operations when it carried out casualty evacuation operations at a short notice (Operation Sea Wave from December 2004 to January 2005).
Wing Commander S M Wahid is the present Commanding Officer of the Squadron.
The ceremonial parade will be commanded by Group Captain Bhanoji Rao of AFTC. The ceremony will also include a fly-past by newly-inducted Hawk aircrafts, transport aircrafts, helicopters and a display by the Sarang Aerobatic team.
The President will release a special first day cover and a brochure to commemorate the occasion.