Tatmadaw (Air) must nurture qualified, well-rounded personnel to fully utilize resources in strengthening air force capability.
Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said so at the ceremony to commission aircraft for enhancement of the air capabilities of Tatmadaw (Air) at the local airbase in Meiktila Station yesterday morning.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Senior General said that Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) must be built to be strengthened in order to fully safeguard the territory of the State and protect the national interest. Only when Tatmadaw is strong with high capabilities will it safeguard and uplift independence, sovereignty and national integrity.
He noted that only when Tatmadaw (Air) is strong and capable of air control will it protect the State interest effectively. Ownership of aircraft and helicopters can be defined as possessing not only aircraft and helicopters but also various supporting systems, maintenance and logistic systems, and a variety of training systems.
He stressed that Tatmadaw (Air) must have qualified and well-rounded human resources so that Tatmadaw members are capable of fully handling and using the resources in order to ensure the strengthening of air capability. As such, it is necessary to turn out skilled and capable Tatmadaw members continuously.
Since its establishment, the Senior General continued that Tatmadaw (Air) has been serving duties assigned by the State and Tatmadaw diligently. It showed off its brilliant capabilities in anti-internal insurgency operations, counter-terrorism operations, and the operations to repel and defeat external aggression. Moreover, Tatmadaw (Air) participated in nation-building endeavours, search and rescue operations in natural disasters, environmental conservation measures and drug eradication operations in various ways and means.
The Senior General urged them to sustain and further strengthen the momentum of progress and achievements of Tatmadaw (Air) and to successfully fulfil the various duties assigned by the State and Tatmadaw. He also called them on to systematically and skillfully operate and utilize the aircraft, helicopters, weapon systems and airpower resources in their possession, and to demonstrate that Tatmadaw (Air) is a capable and highly proficient force. In addition, the Senior General encouraged them to respect, take pride in and value the fine traditions of Tatmadaw (Air), and to pass on this legacy to future generations.
Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung explained measures to commission aircraft into service, while Chief of Staff (Air) Lt-Gen Tun Win declared the commissioning of aircraft.
General Tun Aung presented a commemorative gift of commissioning aircraft and helicopters to the Senior General.
The demonstration of flying aircraft and helicopters in squadrons followed as part of saluting the Senior General.
The Senior General and party sprinkled scented water on the commissioned aircraft, viewed around them and posed for documentary photos.
The Senior General cordially greeted the pilots who participated in the flight demonstration and presented cash awards to them.
Also, present at the ceremony were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the wife of the Senior General; Commission Secretary and Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Ye Win Oo and his wife, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win and his wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and his wife, Union ministers, the Mandalay Region chief minister, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Central Command, and airbase commanders. — MNA/ TTA
