Jashore 23 February 2021:- The National Standard Award Ceremony of 11 Squadron BAF and 21 Squadron BAF was held at Bangladesh Air Force Academy Parade Ground on Tuesday (23-02-2021). Honourable Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina attended the ceremony as Chief Guest through Video Tele Conference (VTC). She reviewed the smartly truned out parade and took salute at the impressive march past. On behalf of the Chief Guest, Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, BBP, OSP, ndu, psc handed over National Standard to 11 Squadron BAF and 21 Squadron BAF. Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was welcomed by the Chief of Air Staff and Air Officer Commanding of BAF Base Birsreshto Matiur Rahman Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Kamrul Islam, GUP, nswc, afwc, psc while connected through VTC at the parade ground of Bangladesh Air Force Academy.
11 Squadron is the breeding ground of the pilots of BAF with the motto of ‘Uddoyer Pothe Nirvik’. The Squadron started her glorious journey in 1982 to impart basic flying training to pilots. Right after the liberation war, pilots had to be trained from abroad and there came the necessity to form a flying squadron to impart basic flying training. In 1974, ‘Cadets Training Unit’ was formed and later in 1977, PT-6 aircraft was inducted in this squadron. Apart from basic flying training of BAF officer cadets, this squadron conducts basic flying training of Bangladesh Army and Navy officers and officer Cadets of friendly countries. 11 Squadron has imparted the basic training of 25 Pilots of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy. This Squadron also imparted the basic training of 34 Officer Cadets of friendly countries. 11 squadron takes pride in her duties and is committed to perform the same in future with relentless effort, utmost sincerity and patriotism. 21 Squadron is playing a vital role for being the only dedicated attack squadron of BAF from its emergence in 1987. 21 Squadron was formed with A-5III aircraft with the motto ‘Shotru Digonte Bivishika’. After serving for about 28 years, the A-5III were phased out and from October 2015 this squadron started flying the 4th generation fly by wire system YAK-130 ac made by Russia. This squadron carried out few air defence sorties in 2008 and during Operation Naf Rokkha in 1991. These squadrons have earned enormous reputations for their contribution on peacetime and emergency duties besides their primary role of national security and protecting the sovereignty of the country.
During the National Standard Award ceremony, Hon’ble Prime Minister witnessed the parade at the parade ground of Bangladesh Air Force Academy through VTC. The parade was commanded by Group Captain Md Jalal Uddin Biswas, psc, GD(P). During the parade, Hon’ble Prime Minister was given National Salute. A special monajat was also offered for the preservation of honour of the National Standard.
While addressing to all ranks of Bangladesh Air Force, Hon’ble Prime Minister recalled with tribute the greatest bengali of all times, the father of nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose guidance our beloved independence was achieved through a long and nine-month war of liberation. Hon’ble Prime Minister also remembered all the martyrs including Birsreshto Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman who sacrificed their lives in our great liberation war. She further said that holding the national flag is a recognition of the contribution made by any squadron or unit to the forces and the state and the proper discharge of any assigned duty. Such recognition will definitely expand the excellence of the 11 Squadrons and 21 Squadron of BAF operations to the pinnacle of success, which will also be the sources of inspiration for the future generation of the Air Force and the state.
In this Ceremony, senior officers from military & civil and other invited guests were present.
