Training Command has always provided aid to civil authorities in times of crisis or natural calamities

Training Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is responsible essentially for foundation building and aims to groom the budding professionals on whose shoulders lie the responsibility of safeguarding the country’s security, honour and sovereignty. Essentially, Training Command shapes the future of the IAF.

Despite the fact that the fleet of the basic trainer aircraft, HPT-32, remained grounded, the ab-initio pilot courses graduated on schedule. Achieving this without compromising standards and under such trying circumstances speaks volumes about the workforce and leadership. During the year gone by, the Training Command was engaged in smooth changeover of Stage III fighter training on Hawk Mk132 aircraft and planning for the induction of intermediate jet trainer (IJT) and light combat aircraft (LCA) into the IAF.

Keeping pace with technology and trends in modern methodologies of training, Training Command has embraced a simulator-based training philosophy. Simulators of various levels and capability have been integrated with the training curricula. Flying training devices (FTD) of Hawk, Do-228, An-32 aircraft navigation simulator (NAVSIM), radar and visual tower observation simulators (RADSIM and VITOSIM) to train ATC officers, Drona for armament training, are a few such systems. Most training programmes for development of air warriors are now conducted through distance learning programmes with minimal contact duration. Similarly, CBT based e-learning packages and smart class rooms have replaced the classical versions of training curricula.

Training Command has always provided aid to civil authorities in times of crisis or natural calamities. Flood relief operations were undertaken on a large scale in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka during 2009, involving around 205 hours of flying and similar operations are at present continuing in various sectors this year as well. Salvage operations were undertaken after the crash of the helicopter of the government of Andhra Pradesh involving Chief Minister Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy.

The Command Hospital Air Force Bangalore (CHAFB) won the Defence Minister’s Trophy for best Command Hospital during 2009-10. Their continued efforts towards providing quality service in ECHS and HIV/AIDS palliative care is praiseworthy. The spatial disorientation simulator (DISO) was commissioned at AFA in December 2009. Till date, 47 aircrew and 44 Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) officers have been trained on it. The Air Force Technical College, the alma mater of technical officers, which was awarded the President’s Standards in November 2008 celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in July 2009.