Mumbai: In the first ever tri-service affiliation ceremony, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikramaditya, the largest vessel in the naval fleet and the country’s only aircraft carrier, was formally affiliated to the Bihar Regiment of the Indian Army and the Number 6 Squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Bihar Regiment is a highly decorated and battle-hardened infantry whilst the No. 6 Squadron of the IAF specialises in maritime strike operations and operates the Jaguar fighter aircraft.
The glittering ceremony was held onboard INS Vikramaditya in the Karwar Naval Base, which is nestled in the picturesque Western Ghats on the coast of Karnataka.
Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, and Lieutenant General Amarjeet Singh, Military Secretary and Colonel of the Bihar Regiment attended the first ever tri-services affiliation within the Indian armed forces as guests of honour. Air Vice Marshal M Fernandez, Air Officer Commanding Maritime Air Operations, was the senior officer from the IAF. Several senior officers from all the three services also participated in the event.
The historic affiliation ceremony commenced with an inspection of the tri-service guard of honour by senior officers of the three services. The gathering was addressed by Rear Admiral R.B. Pandit, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, who spoke of the importance of the affiliation and its relevance in present day. Highlighting the idea behind the affiliation, he said, “The ‘raison d’etre’ of affiliation between units of fighting forces is to act as a force multiplier by promoting better understanding of each other’s strengths and ultimately serves to maximise the combat potential of the armed forces at the time of reckoning.”
Such a strategy also fosters a deep understanding of each other’s service ethos, customs, traditions and sharing of new operational concepts and the same is aptly described in the affiliation motto ‘Victory through Jointness’, Pandit said.
The formal association between the three units commenced with the reading of the ‘Charter of Affiliation,’ which was then signed by the commanding officers of the three units and senior officers from respective services representing the units.
The highlight of the event was an impressive flypast by aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm. The flypast was led by a formation of Chetak helicopters followed by a formation of MiG-29 fighters of Indian Naval Air Squadron 303 from the Goa-based Naval Air Station, INS Hansa.
