Air chief visits Kalaikunda airbase, spends time at alma mater

Indian Air Force chief Arup Raha, who is on a four-day official tour to West Bengal, completed his two-day visit to Kalaikunda Air Force Station.

"IAF is on a trajectory of modernisation and is transforming into a strategic aerospace power with full spectrum capability," said Air Chief Marshal Raha in his address.

He reviewed a guard of honour at the airbase. He also inspected various measures being undertaken by the station towards operational commitments.

During the day, he also paid a visit his alma mater Sainik School Purulia of which he was a student from 1965 to 1970.

Besides inspecting a guard of honour by the cadets, Raha interacted with some of his old teachers, current staff members, and students.

"The air chief's visit has certainly overwhelmed the cadets who see him as their role model. This will not only motivate the cadets to aspire for a career in defence but will also boost the parents to encourage their children to become officers in the Armed Forces of the country," said school principal Col B.S. Ghorpade.

Raha, accompanied by wife Lily Raha, who is president of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA), upon arrival in the city Thursday called on Governor M.K. Narayanan.

The IAF chief is scheduled to visit the Eastern Army Command headquarters Saturday.