Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Monday flew his last sortie in a fighter aircraft, along with Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. After the completion of the MiG-21 sortie, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa expressed his happiness saying it was a pleasure for him to flywith the Vir Chakra awardee.

Speaking to news agencyafter the sortie, the Air Chief Marshal said, “It was a pleasure for me to fly with Abhinandan because he has got his flying category back, that is what all pilots look forward to.”

Showering praises on Wing Commander Varthaman, Dhanoarecalled that when he was ejected in 1988, he got his flying category back innine months while the Vir Chakra awardee achieved the same in a much shortertime.“I also ejected in 1988, it took me nine months to get my flying categoryback. He has been back in less than six months, which is a remarkableachievement,” said the Air Chief Marshal, with Abhinandan Varthaman standing byhis side.

In a lighter tone, the IAF chief said that getting ejected was one of the commonalities between him and Wing Commander Varthaman. He further said that another common factor was that both had been part of operations against Pakistan.

“Both of us have two things in common. First, both of us were ejected, and second, both of us have fought Pakistanis. I fought inKargil, he fought after Balakot,” said the IAF chief.

He further recalled, “Third, I have flown with his father.It's an honour for me to do my last sortie in the Indian Air Force, in afighter aircraft, with his son.”

Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa and Wing Commander Varthaman flewthe MiG-21 jet in Punjab's Pathankot a day before the induction ceremony ofBoeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopters at the Pathankot Air Base.Abhinandan Varthaman flew the MiG-21 for half an hour.