Doha: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday patronised the graduation ceremony of the third batch of students of Al Zaeem (leader) Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Atiyyah Air College at Al Udeid Air Base.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, ministers and senior armed forces and Ministry of Interior officers were present.
On the arrival of the Emir to the main podium, the national anthem was played and the commander of the parade came forward to request him to review the graduates’ parade.
The ceremony started with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and then graduates performed the military parade with slow and normal march.
The Emir then honoured outstanding graduates — the top three in total grades Saeed Hamad Saeed Al Aswad; Ismael Ibrahim Ismael Saeed Faraj; and Abdullah Nasser Mohammed bin Alsheikh Al Mutawaa; the toppers in air exercises (fixed wing) Saeed Hamad Saeed Al Marri; first (helicopter) Nasser Mohammed Hamd Aqeel Al Nabet; first in physical fitness Abdulrahman Ali Abdulrahman Al sheikh Al Kuwari; first in aviation competence Nayef Khalifa Abdullah Mohammed Al Mansory; and Abdullah Mohammed Ali Rashid Al Kuwari, Commander of the Parade.
The third batch handed over the flag to the fourth batch. An order for promotions was read out and the graduates took the oath.
College Commander Brigadier (Pilot) Salim Hamad Al Nabit said the academy’s training and learning policies were inspired by the national strategy of creating the appropriate environment for Qatari citizens to excel. He said the college has made great strides by developing plans and specialist programmes to enable military students to become pilot officers with full skills in aviation science to lead latest aircraft.
He said the college was honoured to graduate the second batch of helicopter pilots and that the graduation of the fighter pilots batch is a milestone in the training history of Qatar Armed Forces.
The Emir also watched an airshow by helicopters of the Emiri Air Forces and the college.
