23 May 2004	Sunday	03 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, May 22: The air defenders have a pivotal role in attaining air supremacy and delivering the vital punch essential for success in modern warfare. This was stated by Air Officer Commanding, Air Defence Command, Air Vice Marshal Ayaz Mahmood while speaking at the graduation ceremony of No. 71 Air Defence Basic Course held at Air Defence Training School, PAF Base Sakesar, on Saturday.

The air officer commanding stressed upon the graduating cadets that their profession called for mathematical precision, analytical thinking, constant vigil and exceptional precision in extremely time-compressed environment.

Air Marshal Ayaz further said the PAF Air Defence Training School was the Alma Mater of the air defenders of the Pakistan Air Force.

The chief guest also awarded air defence badges and trophies to the participants of the graduating course.

The trophy for ground controller interception was awarded to Aviation Cadet Sergeant Tanveer Ahmed, while the trophy for best performance in academic and trophy for over all best performance were awarded to Aviation Cadet Squadron Under Officer Rashid Khalil.

Earlier, Officer Commanding Air Defence Training School, PAF Base Sakesar, Wing Commander Syed Qamar Abbas presented the course report.

The school was initially established at the PAF Base Korangi Creek and later shifted to the PAF Base Sakesar in 1974. It imparts professional training not only to the officers and men of the Pakistan Air Force but also to the officers of allied countries.