President asks BAF to ensure people’s security, welfare

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DHAKA, Feb 15, 2021 (BSS) – President M Abdul Hamid today asked Bangladesh
Air Force (BAF) members to work diligently to serve the country and ensure
people’s security as well as welfare.

“Being a child of the country, you are also equal partners of the people
with the happiness, sorrow, laughter and tears. . . so, maintain utmost
professionalism in works from your respective positions,” he told a BAF
function.

The President, also the supreme commander of the armed forces, was
inaugurating the Barishal Radar Unit and Helicopter Simulator Training
Institute at Air Force Base through a video conference from Bangabhaban here
this afternoon.

On behalf of the President, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal
Masihuzzaman Serniabat unveiled the inaugural plaque of Barishal Radar Unit
and Helicopter Simulator Training Institute in presence of air force members
in Barishal.

“Remember, there is no alternative to hard work and honesty. Only strong
morale, hard labour, proper efficient use of resources and patriotism will
help you to reach the peak of professional excellence,” he said.

Abdul Hamid said the self-sacrifices of the predecessors would become
fruitful through sincere patriotism and dutifulness of BAF personnel.

Referring to the ongoing development of the incumbent government led by
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the President said Bangladesh is now moving
forward on the way to progress and development, simultaneously, the armed
forces are also gradually expanding in size and shape.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been setting up new air bases and
adding warplanes, helicopters, radars, missiles and other war weapons to
build the air force as a modern and sophisticated one.

The inclusion of the Helicopter Simulator Training Institute would take
the Bangladesh Air Force one step further in the days to come, President
Hamid believed.

Noting that Bangladesh Air Force has a glorious history, Hamid said during
the Great Liberation War of 1971, the then air force members joined hands
with the people and directly took part in the movement, responding to the
call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “The nation
will forever remember this courageous contribution of them to the Great War
of Liberation,” the head of the state added.

“His (Bangabandhu) goal was to build an efficient and smart armed force,”
the President said, adding Father of the nation had undertaken all necessary
steps to build a modern armed force despite limited resources and formulated
the ‘National Defence Policy in 1974’.

In line with it, he said the present government has adopted an effective
plan to enable the armed forces to meet the challenges of the 21st century
and formulated the ‘Forces Goal-2030’ in the light of the defence policy,
which is being implemented in phases.

“Bangabandhu dreamt of a modern, strong and professional air force. Due to
his determination, the modern MiG-21 supersonic fighter aircraft, transport
aircraft, helicopters and air defence radars were added to the BAF in a very
short period,” the President pointed out.

The establishment of Barisal Radar Unit is an important step in enhancing
the airspace monitoring capability of Barishal region, he said, hoping that
it would also help expedite and facilitate the security arrangements for
maritime economic activities, rescue and relief operations during natural
disasters.