PLA Air Force Unit Holds Grounding Ceremony for Six Veteran Pilots

A People's Liberation Army Air Force unit recently held a formal grounding ceremony for six veteran pilots, marking the conclusion of their active flying careers. During the airfield ceremony, the senior aviators—including special-grade pilot Yang Yong, who served three decades in demanding operational environments—symbolically handed over their flight helmets to a new cohort of younger pilots. Official military reports highlighted the veterans' dual role in operational missions and pilot mentorship, underscoring institutional efforts to maintain generational continuity in air combat readiness.

Formal grounding and handover ceremonies in the PLA Air Force reflect institutionalized rituals designed to preserve operational heritage while systematically transferring mission responsibility to junior aviators. As the PLA continues modernizing its aviation inventory and expanding complex training regimens, senior instructor pilots play a critical role in mentoring the next generation to sustain combat capabilities across diverse operational theaters.

A frontline aviation unit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force recently held a formal ceremony to mark the retirement from active flight duty of six veteran pilots, according to reports published by the PLA Daily and People's Daily. The ceremony took place on the unit's airfield, attended by unit personnel and family representatives. During the proceedings, the six senior aviators bade farewell to their aircraft and completed a symbolic handover of flight helmets to an incoming group of six junior pilots. State media reports emphasized the long-standing operational contributions and instructional roles of the retiring aviators. Among them, special-grade pilot Yang Yong concluded a 30-year flying career that encompassed operational deployments across plateau, coastal island, and desert environments. Senior pilot Meng Xianqi presented his flight helmet to a younger peer with instructions to carry forward the duty of safeguarding national airspace. Meng's son, currently studying at the PLA Air Force Logistics College, attended the event among family observers. Another retiring aviator, Chen Zhijie, addressed the assembly, expressing pride in the growth of the younger generation taking over operational flight paths. The ceremony concluded as newly assigned pilots launched fighter jets in succession under the observation of the veteran cadre, signaling the continuation of flight operations under the younger cohort.