Fourteen Officers, including an officer from the Indian Coast Guard successfully completed the Aeronautical Specialization Course and passed out of the portals of the Naval Institute Aeronautical Technology (NIAT) at Kochi on 11 Jan 13.
The officers who completed the 52 weeks course would now be proceeding to the frontline Air Squadrons of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for six months of On Job Training. They will then be awarded with MTech degree in Aeronautical Engineering by the Institute under the aegis of Cochin University of Science and Technology.
Surgeon Rear Admiral John D’Souza, Command Medical Officer, of Southern Naval Command reviewed the Passing Out Parade conducted on the occasion. Dwelling on the challenges of maintaining modern Navy aircraft combat worthy, the Admiral also exhorted them to never forget the qualities of courage of conviction and leadership by personal example. Lieutenant Hemant Pant was awarded the Director General Coast Guard trophy for the Best All Rounder of the passing out course and also adjudged first in the order of merit amongst Air Engineering Officers. Lieutenant Rohit Raveendranath was adjudged first in the order of merit amongst the Air Electrical Officers. The syndicate of Lieutenant Vivek Rathee and Lieutenant Hemant Pant received the Venduruthy trophy for the best Air Technical project. Captain Deepak Bansal, Director NIAT conducted the parade.
NIAT established in 1956 has grown to become the largest training establishment in the three services in terms of the number of courses being conducted annually and the only service institute to award MTech degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 14, 2013; Image: Indian Navy