GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OF HELICOPTER TRAINING SCHOOL (HTS)
Arakkonam
15 September 2021
GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OF HELICOPTER TRAINING SCHOOL (HTS) AT INS RAJALI, ARAKKONAM
Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 561 also known as Helicopter Training School (HTS), celebrated its Golden Ju bilee at INS Rajali, Arakonam on 15 Sep 2021. Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Naval Aviation was the Chief Guest for the event which also witnessed participation from many serving and re tired alumni of the HTS. A series of events have been organised by the Squadron to commemorate 50 years of commissioning of the illustrious training establishment. These included a Motorcycle Expedition from INS Gar uda, Kochi to INS Rajali, Arakkonam, Commemorative Postal Folio Release, the inauguration of Chetak Static Display. A spectacular Composite Flypast by various helicopters of the Indian Navy was undertaken at INS Rajali.
Photo Captions:
1. Commemorative Postal Folio being released by Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Naval Aviation in presence of Smt Veena R Srinivas, Postmaster General, Chennai City Region and other senior officials on the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebrations of INAS 561 on 15 Sep 2021 at INS Rajali.
2. Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Naval Aviation, Commanding Officer INS Rajali Commodore Vinod Kumar and Commanding Officer INAS 561 Commodore Arun Singh Naruka near the memorial.
3. Chetak Static Display was inaugurated by Cdr Pradeep Dixit, SC, NM (Retd) in presence of Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Naval Aviation, Commanding Officer INS Rajali Commodore Vinod Kumar and Commanding Officer INAS 561 Commodore Arun Singh Naruka on the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebrations of INAS 561 on 15 Sep 2021 at INS Rajal.
4 & 5. Composite Flypast by various helicopters of the Indian Navy on the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebrations of INAS 561 on 15 Sep 2021 at INS Rajali
6 & 7. Commemorative Motorcycle Expedition on the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebrations of INAS 561
The Squadron is the only ab-initio helicopter training squadron of the Indian Navy and was commissioned on 15 September 1971 at INS Garuda Kochi. The squadron was later rebased to its present location at INS Rajali, Ara kkonam in June 1992 and ever since the squadron has been the alma mater of all helicopter pilots of the Indian Navy. The year 2021 marks the Golden Jubilee of the squadron, and also 60 years of induction of Chetak helicopters into the Naval Air Arm.
An e-Almanac, along with a Motivational Telefilm depicting activities and operations conducted by the squadron were released by the Admiral during the ceremony at INS Rajali. They will serve as a memoir depicting the ev olution of the squadron over the years and are an ode to the efforts of all men who have been part of this illustrious journey.
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PS/CS/SS/09/2021
