We must build up a defensive air force

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia awards Flight cadet SM Parvez Sanjari with the most coveted 'Sword of Honour' at a function of Winter Graduation Parade 2004 at BAF Academy Square in Jessore yesterday. PHOTO: PID

"Not an offensive, but we must build up a defensive air force," she said explaining the country's strategic location at a function of Winter Graduation Parade 2004, marking the passing out of flight cadets of Bangladesh Air Force at the BAF Academy parade square.

"Being detracted from this reality, the country had virtually been taken back through misuse of huge wealth in the past. No conspiracy in the past could destroy our Air Force and Inshallah would never be able to do so in the future," she told the function.

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She said: "As a peace-loving nation, we are always against war and conflict. But there is no scope of negligence for us to attain the strength of self-defence."

Khaleda, also in charge of Defence Ministry, called upon the Air Force personnel to get over all backwardness with merit, competence, training, intelligence and vigour.

The ceremonial Winter Parade was held on the occasion of commissioning of No 50 GD (P) course, zero 1 and 2 special engineering course and zero 4 special purpose short service course of Bangladesh Air Force. Fifteen officers were graduated from these courses.

The PM adorned the newly commissioned Air Force officers with commissioning badges and distributed awards and trophies among flight cadets for their best performances.

Flight cadet SM Parvez Sanjari was awarded with the most coveted Sword of Honour for his best all-round performance while Nafiz Saleheen Tamal got Osmani Gold medal for academic and commanded trophy for the best performance in general service training.

The PM said the government has taken initiatives to modernise the Air Force in the greater national interest despite resource constraint.

Paying glowing tributes to the freedom fighters of the Air Force during the War of Liberation in 1971, she said the national flag of independent Bangladesh now hovers across the world.

The PM reviewed the smartly turned out parade aboard an open-roof jeep and took salute from a spectacular march past of the flight cadets from a decorated dais.

The ceremonial parade was rounded off with a spectacular fly-past by different aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force.

Earlier on her arrival at the venue, Khaleda was received by Chief of Air Force Air Vice Marshal Fakrul Azam and Commander of the BAF Academy Air Commodore AKM Harun Chowdhury.

Ministers, MPs, diplomats, senior civil and military officials and guardians of the flight cadets were present.