As a gesture of honouring Diamond Jubilee Air Force Day to improve the aviation capability of the State and Tatmadaw, a ceremony to commission aeroplanes and helicopters into services took place at the Flying Training Base in Meiktila Station yesterday morning, attended by State Administration Council Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
At the ceremony, a total of 15 PT-6 aeroplanes including MTX-1A aircraft manufactured on the test by Tatmadaw (Air) in a 75 shape flew over the pavilion to salute the Senior General.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that the Burma Air Force Act was enacted on 15 December 1947 to give birth to Tatmadaw (Air). Now, Tatmadaw (Air) possesses post-fourth generation multipurpose fighters as new strengths in the diamond jubilee anniversary. The mechanical section has been facilitated with aircraft and engine workshops, universal service support centres, and spare part manufacturing workshops to provide regular servicing to the modern fourth-generation fighters at home.
During the 75 years, new-generation pilots operate modern aircraft and multipurpose fighters. Moreover, MTX-1A aeroplanes and SR-1 UAVs have been manufactured on the test as part of conducting technological research.
The Senior General noted that it can be seen that Tatmadaw (Air) dutifully served the assignments in national defence duty, peace and tranquillity of the region, the prevalence of law and order, search and rescue measures, and humanitarian aid. Hence, the Senior General expressed that all members of Tatmadaw (Air) who served and are serving their duties in respective sectors during the 75 years were honoured and put on record.
If newly commissioned aircraft have been added to Tatmadaw (Air), it will have the capability to conduct strategic military operations as well as counterattacks against submarines. So, operations can be conducted in surface, ground, above and underwater dimensions in full swing.
The Senior General praised and honoured all Tatmadaw (Air) families who dutifully served the assignments for the State and Tatmadaw during a 75-year period and urged them to continuously perform their duties well in the future.
Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung spoke words of thanks for the commissioning of the aircraft into Tatmadaw (Air) and Chief of Staff (Air) Lt-Gen Zaw Win Myint announced the commissioning of aircraft and helicopters.
The Commander-in-Chief (Air) presented small-scale aeroplanes to mark the commissioning ceremony to the Senior General.
Next, transport planes, attack helicopters, light transport helicopters, reconnaissance aeroplanes, jet fighters, training jet fighters, bombers and multipurpose jet fighters in various formations saluted the Senior General.
Multipurpose jet fighters performed skill demonstrations in the sky. An Su-30 SME fighter flew over the pavilion to salute and showed off its high-performance manoeuvre on the tail slide and flap spin manoeuvres, zoom & dive with 90 ° manoeuvre, high AOA roll, slow flight, and maximum banking turn & loop for landing manoeuvre.
The Senior General and party released 75 birds to mark Diamond Jubilee Air Force Day and sprinkled scented water on the commissioned aircraft.
The Senior General spoke words of honour to the pilots in the flying demonstration and presented cash awards to them.
Su-30 SME is the post-fourth generation multipurpose heavy fighter and Tatmadaw (Air) uses it as the first-ever heavy fighter. FTC 2000G aeroplane is a light multipurpose fighter to be used in air-to-air operations, air-to-surface operations, close aviation supporting fire, intercepting, and armed reconnaissance duties. Ka-28 submarine destroyer helicopter can be used in searching and attacking submarines underwater and performing search and rescue duties. FT-7 interceptor fighter and K-8W aeroplane can be used as training jet fighters and light fighters in air-to-air operations, air-to-surface operations, close aviation supporting fire, intercepting attacks, armed reconnaissance and training. Y-8 can be used as a transport plane to transport VIPs, passengers, cargoes, parachuting, sea reconnaissance, and search and rescue duties.
On the evening of 14 December, the Senior General and party attended the ceremony to open the honorary exhibition to mark the commissioning ceremony, domestic product shops and domestic foods of airbases and stations and formally opened these exhibitions and shops.
The Senior General also viewed round booths of the exhibition showcasing aviation histories and records, uniforms of Tatmadaw (Air), documentary photos, photos of those who served in Tatmadaw (Air), battle records, avionic equipment, arms and ammunition, photos of gallantry medal winners, documentary photos on commissioning ceremonies, training of officers, other ranks and substitute-appointed personnel, photos on the progress of Tatmadaw (Air), awarding pilots in successive Commanders-in-Chief (Air), and electronic machinery manufactured by Tatmadaw (Air).
The Senior General, his wife and party signed the record book of Diamond Jubilee Air Force Day and visited souvenir shops, Myanmar traditional food shops and book shops of respective airbases, and personal goods shops. — MNA
