Outgoing Air Officer Commanding AOC Ramesh Rai handed over the charge of Air Force base to newly appointed AOC Rajeev Hora.
Earlier, AOC Rai, who received the guard of honour from a parade of five squadrons led by Group Captain P M Sinha, spoke on his two year tenure.
He said the highlight was the induction of Hawk jet into the Indian Air Force at Bidar Air Base, thus realising a dream that was there for a long time.
The Advance Jet Trainer (AJT) will bridge the gap between the slow speed trainer aircraft and the frontline fighters of the Indian Air Force. The recent upgradation in infrastructure at Bidar Air Base has helped it emerge as one of the premier facilities for the training of fighter pilots in the country, he said.
Aerobatics
Later, a team of six Suryakiran aircraft presented a spectacular airshow. Led by Wing Commander Joy Thomas Kurien, Wing Commanders Malhotra, Pujari, Dubey and Squadron Leaders Kulkarni and Paul, the team presented several air manoeuvres including Yankee, Bomber, Goblet, Tango, and Signature loops.
The newly appointed AOC, Rajeev Hora was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on May 28, 1983. He has over 3600 hours of flying experience on different types of aircraft.