Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh completed his final flying sortie in an HJT-16 Kiran trainer aircraft ahead of his retirement on October 31, accompanied by his very first flying instructor, Wing Commander V.S. Kochar. Spanning over four decades since his initial training flight in 1984, this emotional milestone followed his recent final fighter sortie aboard the indigenous LCA Tejas.

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh completed his final flying sortie in an HJT-16 Kiran trainer aircraft ahead of his retirement on October 31, accompanied by his very first flying instructor, Wing Commander V.S. Kochar. Spanning over four decades since his initial training flight in 1984, this emotional milestone followed his recent final fighter sortie aboard the indigenous LCA Tejas.

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh completed his final flying sortie in an HJT-16 Kiran trainer aircraft ahead of his retirement on October 31, accompanied by his very first flying instructor, Wing Commander V.S. Kochar. Spanning over four decades since his initial training flight in 1984, this emotional milestone followed his recent final fighter sortie aboard the indigenous LCA Tejas.

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, on Tuesday, completed his final flying sortie in an IAF aircraft. Singh flew the HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer aircraft for 55 minutes, marking his last flight in an IAF aircraft ahead of his retirement on October 31.

The sortie was particularly special as the Air Chief was accompanied by his first flying instructor, Wing Commander V. S. Kochar (Retd), who had trained him during his early days in the IAF.

The two flew together in an aircraft bearing tail number U 707, marking an emotional reunion between the instructor and his former student.

Singh undertook his first-ever flying sortie on January 28, 1984. More than four decades later, his final flight aboard the Kiran brought his flying journey full circle.

According to the IAF, the presence of Kochar made the occasion especially meaningful, connecting Singh's earliest flying experience to his final sortie in an Air Force aircraft.

The IAF said the flight marked the conclusion of a distinguished chapter in Singh's career, reflecting the experience, discipline and commitment that have defined his association with the force.

"With this sortie, the CAS concluded a distinguished chapter of flying, carrying forward the experience, discipline and commitment that have defined his association with the Indian Air Force," the IAF said.

Recalling his first flight on January 20, 1984 with Kochchar in a Kiran aircraft at the AFA, Singh said he did his "last sortie in uniform" on Tuesday with his teacher by his side. He expressed his gratitude to his guru.

Air Chief Marshal Singh was given a water cannon salute as a mark of respect as he landed, concluding the sortie.

The IAF chief passed out from the AFA in 1984 with a Sword of Honour.

"I started my journey with the same aircraft. I think I must be the only Chief who is retiring on the basic aircraft he flew is still serving. I am very grateful to my instructor Kochchar sir who taught me flying in the beginning, in this place itself. So, I just wanted the circle to be complete," he told reporters after landing.

Describing Singh as the "brightest pupil ever" and the "best chief", 73-year-old Kochchar said it was a dream come true for him as well to get "one more trip".

Singh's final flight in an IAF aircraft came just days after he completed his last fighter jet sortie aboard the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The Tejas sortie had marked the conclusion of his flying career in fighter aircraft ahead of his retirement.

The IAF had described the flight as a defining moment in the career of a fighter pilot who had always believed in leading from the front.

"A FINAL FIGHTER SORTIE. A LIFETIME OF PASSION. At the controls of the indigenous Tejas, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, takes to the skies for his last fighter sortie - a defining moment in a distinguished career shaped by an abiding passion for flying and an unwavering commitment to serving the Nation," the IAF said in a social media post.

The force also paid tribute to Singh's lifelong passion for flying and his commitment to the country.

"As one chapter draws to a close, the passion remains undiminished. The skies may mark the end of a flying chapter, but the mission of service to the Nation continues. Once a fighter pilot. Always a fighter pilot," it said.

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