Odisha NCC Air Squadron that bagged the Best Squadron award in flying and (right) the trophy. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 1: The state’s lone NCC Air Squadron created history by winning the title of Best Air Squadron in the country on Republic Day, a first for Odisha.

The unit was among 59 air squadrons from across the country, which participated in the January 26 event. The 1 Odisha Air Squadron, located in Palaspalli area here, came out with all flags flying and won the Best Squadron trophy for all round achievement in the “flying units” category. It also bagged the “Best Marching Contingent” award in the Republic Day state parade here. “It is a dream come true. The morale of our cadets is at an all time high. They are highly motivated to take up a career in armed forces, particularly in aviation,” said commanding officer of the unit, Bikash Kanungo, who received the trophy at an event in New Delhi on January 28.

The Air Squadron has been honoured with the award following sustained efforts in flying training for which three cadets of the unit were awarded medals during the all-India Vayu Sainik Camp in Bangalore in October last year.

The unit is exceptional in many ways. With nearly 2,300 cadets in 46 schools and colleges of the state, it enjoys a unique geographical jurisdiction in cadet strength in the country. It has an impeccable record of having done more than 1,000 sorties without ever meeting with an accident.

“We have also accomplished maximum flying training or air experience flights for young students of Odisha,” said Kanungo.

In the last academic year, eight Air Wing cadets earned scholarships in the professional and individual activity categories, this being another first for the unit. Over the past three years, the performance of cadets aspiring for NCC ‘C’ certificate exams has been exemplary with more than 40 per cent of them scoring over 80 per cent marks.

Air Squadron sources said these achievements did not come easy. “There are certain flying restrictions as we operate from the Biju Patnaik Airport. Besides, there is little cooperation from the NCC organisation in carrying out flight training. However, despite all these challenges, the personnel posted at the unit have earned laurels for Odisha which speaks volumes of their professional calibre,” sources said.