Kochi. Twelve ‘Engineer’ officers from the Navy and four from the Coast Guard joined the “Aviation Arm” of the respective service on successful completion of the Air Engineering and Air Electrical Officers Specialisation Course at Naval Base here.

A ceremonial Passing Out Parade was held which was reviewed by Rear Admiral S N Alamanda, Admiral Superintendent of Naval Ship Repair Yard, Kochi.

Lieutenant Aditya Chary and Lieutenant Hitesh Choudhary were awarded HAL trophy and the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) trophy for standing first in overall order of merit amongst Air Engineering and Air Electrical officers respectively.

Lieutenant Hitesh Choudhary was also awarded the Director General Coast Guard (DGCG) trophy for the Best All Round Officer of the course and the Venduruthy Shield for Best Air Technical Project was awarded to a syndicate comprising Deputy Commandant Jestin Francis and Assistant Commandant Vikas Sharma.

The officers underwent 52 weeks of intensive training in advanced aeronautical subjects, besides practical training on various types of aircraft operated by both the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. On passing out from NIAT, the officers would be proceeding to their respective air squadrons at various naval air stations for their competency, which would culminate with the award of M-Tech degree, from the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).