Al Ain: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday attended the 45th graduation ceremony of Cadet Pilot officers and the 12th batch of Air Faculty Cadet Officers at Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College in Al Ain.
The ceremony began when Shaikh Mohammed, the patron of the event, arrived at the college headquarters.
Also attending the event were Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, and Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor.
After the UAE National Anthem, Shaikh Mohammed inspected the cadets. The graduating cadets then saluted Shaikh Mohammad before taking their oath.
In his speech, Brigadier General Pilot Rashid Mohammad Al Shamsi, commander of the college, welcomed Shaikh Mohammad, and gave a presentation on the history of the college, which was set up in 1982 by orders from the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He also gave a briefing on the training and material taught to the graduates.
Shaikh Mohammed presented the top cadet officer graduates with appreciation awards. He congratulated them and wished them success in serving their country and peoples. He also praised the college, and described it as a glorious academic edifice thanks to the patronage it receives from President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the follow up of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, Shaikh Mohammed, Shaikh Hamdan, Shaikh Tahnoun and Shaikh Hazza took a commemorative photo with the graduates.
Shaikh Mohammad expressed his pride in the graduates and their commitment to serve and protect their country, and called on them to continue their training and to strive for more academic achievements so that they can one day serve as leaders in the UAE Armed Forces.
The ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and a number of Shaikhs and senior military officials.
