{
  "id": 15727285,
  "title": "'Dream come true’: IAF chief AP Singh flies last sortie in uniform in Kiran aircraft",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/dream-come-true-iaf-chief-ap-singh-flies-last-sortie-in-uniform-in",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-20T09:53:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/news/dream-come-true-iaf-chief-ap-singh-flies-last-sortie-in-uniform-in-kiran-aircraft/articleshow/135067256.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh completed his final flight in uniform at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The sortie was piloted in a Kiran aircraft, a fitting finale to a long and distinguished career. Singh's flight partner was Wing Commander (retd) V S Kochchar, who trained him in 1984. Singh reminisced about his inaugural flight on January 20, 1984, stating he might be the only Chief to retire in the same aircraft he began his journey with. The air chief expressed deep gratitude to Kochchar, saying they completed the circle of Singh's flying career. Singh was honored with a water cannon salute upon landing. He had earlier flown his last fighter jet sortie in the indigenous Tejas on October 12 during Exercise Tarang Shakti. His last flight in uniform marked the culmination of his service, days before his anticipated retirement. Kochchar, now 73, praised Singh as the \"brightest pupil\" and \"best chief\", remarking that flying with his former student was a dream come true.",
  "summary": "Air Chief Marshal AP Singh completed his flying career with a last sortie in a Kiran aircraft. He flew alongside his former instructor, Wing Commander V S Kochchar, who trained him four decades ago. The flight took place at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal near Hyderabad, marking a significant moment for Singh. Singh expressed gratitude for Kochchar's guidance during his early flying days at the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Air Marshal AP Singh completed final flight in uniform at Air Force Academy",
    "Flied Kiran aircraft, fitting finale to distinguished career",
    "Honored with water cannon salute upon landing"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Completing a career journey in the same aircraft type used for his first flight marks a rare symbolic closure for the departing commander before his official retirement.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}