New Delhi, 30 October (H.S.): Amid the ongoing controversy over the use of land occupied by the Race Course Air Force Station in Delhi, the outgoing and incoming chiefs of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are set to receive ceremonial guard of honour at the high-profile military establishment.

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh will receive a farewell guard of honour on October 31, the day he retires, while Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will inspect the ceremonial guard on November 1, following his assumption of office as the new Chief of the Air Staff. This will be the first time that the ceremonies are being held at the Air Force Station on Lok Kalyan Marg, directly opposite the Prime Minister's residence.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had felicitated Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on October 26 in recognition of his distinguished 42-year career in service to the nation. The Defence Minister commended his exceptional leadership, outstanding service and invaluable contributions to the country. He also acknowledged the outgoing Air Chief's significant role in the successful execution of Operation Sindoor and in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Rajnath Singh extended his best wishes to him for his future endeavours.

On October 31, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in honour of the nation's fallen heroes before inspecting a ceremonial guard of honour at the Air Force Station in New Delhi ahead of his retirement. He is set to superannuate after serving as the Air Chief for approximately 25 months.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is scheduled to assume charge as the new Chief of the Air Staff on the afternoon of October 31. The Ministry of Defence had announced his appointment as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff in the rank of Air Chief Marshal, with effect from that afternoon.

Officials confirmed that the guard of honour ceremonies would take place at the Race Course Air Force Station. They said that such high-level military transition ceremonies and associated parades were traditionally held in the congested parking area near the Air Headquarters in the vicinity of South Block. However, this will be the first occasion on which the ceremonies are being organised at the Air Force Station on Lok Kalyan Marg, in the prestigious Lutyens' zone of the national capital.

The development comes against the backdrop of a dispute over the use of land occupied by the Air Force Station. The sports complex located within its premises was closed to members on October 28 after the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs initiated a survey of the adjoining land. The closure has affected several facilities, including the swimming pool, gymnasium and restaurant, which were accessible to serving and retired officers.

The closure also forced the cancellation of Air Chief Marshal AP Singh's scheduled 'golfing-out' ceremony, a longstanding tradition organised to bid farewell to an outgoing Air Chief. The informal event traditionally provides an opportunity for serving and retired officers to join the departing Air Chief for a round of golf.

With the ceremonial guard of honour now being organised at the Race Course Air Force Station, the venue could emerge as the preferred location for such high-level military transition ceremonies in the future, marking the beginning of a new tradition in the Indian Air Force.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar