Marathons to promote sportsmanship
Legendary Air Marshal gets a big salute
S VishnuSharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037
Indian Air Force did garner some attention in the southern part of India recently. Infodea went ahead to know more about it. On one hand a new person assumed charge at one of the key installations of Indian Air Force (IAF) in Chennai, on the other hand marathons were held across various bases of IAF to commemorate the birth centenary of legendary Marshal Arjan Singh.
New officer took over the command of Mechanical Transport Training Institute (MTTI) located at Air Force Station at Avadi in Chennai. Group Captain Hardik Modi assumed the command of MTTI from Group Captain A Hurtis on 15 April. Group Captain Modi was born on 6 March 1974 in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
After his schooling, he graduated as a mechanical engineer from MS University, Vadodara in July 1995 and was commissioned in Indian Air Force under direct entry scheme in November 1995 as an aeronautical engineer.
He is trained on MiG-27 fighter aircraft and has 13 years of experience in the fleet including first to fourth line maintenance. His key appointments include Senior Engineering Officer of a Squadron and Technical Flight in MiG 27 fleet, Material Planning and Technology Officer as well as Chief of Engines in Base Repair Depot, Senior Technical Officer (Mechanical Transports) of a fighter base, Staff Officer at Air Head Quarter and Staff duties at Head Quarter Central Air Command. Prior to assuming the charge of Commanding Officer of Mechanical Transport Training Institute, the officer served at Head Quarter South Western Air Command.
Half marathon of 21 kilometres was held at Air Force Station at Tambaram on 14 April to commemorate the birth centenary of Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh Air Commodore MS Awana, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Tambaram flagged off the Marathon where a total of 300 air warriors took part.
Centenary marathon was organised at Air Force station in Thanjavur also on 14 April. The rally aimed at inculcating sportmanship and camaraderie among the Air Force personnel and also to popularize the services of legendary Air Marshal Arjan Singh. This was open to air warriors in two categories of above and below 35 years.
Air Force station in Avadi too did not remain in the backseat when it came to celebrating the contributions of the legendary defense person. Half marathon held to honour Marshal Arjan Singh witnessed a participation of 250 air warriors. They were enthusiastically led by Air Commodore J Rajendra, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force station, Avadi.