The Hindu : National : IAF to reintroduce SSC for men

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Sunday, Jun 17, 2007
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IAF to reintroduce SSC for men

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: The Indian Air Force is reintroducing the Short Service Commission (SSC) for men from next year.

This was announced by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major at the Dundigal Air Force Academy here on Saturday.

The SSC was introduced in the IAF in 1990 but was withdrawn three years later. Now the SSC is available to women flying officers. After reintroduction for men, it will be extended for flying officers of the transport, fighter and helicopter streams.

Earlier, the term of the SSC was 10 years. Now, it has been increased to 14 years. After serving the Air Force for 14 years, cadets could resign from service. The idea is to attract talented and adventurous youngsters to the IAF and meet the demand for commercial pilots in the civil aviation sector.

Now that the SSC was being reintroduced, the infrastructure at the Dundigal Academy would be strengthened, the Chief of the Air Staff told reporters after reviewing a passing out, combined graduation parade of flight cadets.

After a splendid parade by the flying officers, Air Chief Marshal Major presented the President's plaque and the Chief of Air Staff Sword of Honour to Flying Officer Sandeep Jain. Flying Officers J.K. Lohani and S.K. Bharadwaj received the President's plaques for standing first in the order of merit among ground duty officers and in a navigation course.

A breathtaking display of flight manoeuvres by a Surya Kiran team of the IAF followed.

Earlier, Academy commandant Air Vice-Marshal Dhiraj Kukreja received the Chief of the Air Staff.

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