Indian Air Force is also known as “Bhartiya Vayu Sena” and is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. This day is celebrated for the inception of Air Force in India to aid the Army that was fighting on the land.
The celebration of this day was officially started on 8th October in the year 1932 in order to increase the awareness of Indian air force in any organisation of the national security both officially and publicly. The day is celebrated in air force bases all across the nation with air shows and parades conducted by air force cadets, as the Indian Air Force (IAF) has its prime responsibility of securing the Indian airspace as well as to carry out the aerial warfare during any clash.
The Indian Government, in January 2002, granted the rank of Marshal of the Air Force to Arjan Singh, thus making him the first and the only Five-star officer with the Indian Air Force and ceremonial chief of the air force.
It is known that the Indian Air Force has been a fundamental and crucial part of the defence system of the nation along with the Indian Navy and Army. The IAF’s first flight was formed on 1st April 1933. The first time IAF came into brave action was during the Waziristan war against the tribal. Later IAF got expanded tremendously during the Second World War. IAF has proved to be a great defence force during the war especially in Burma. Its anonymous contribution and achievement made the IAF win the prefix of Royal in 1945 and hence came to be known as the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF).
In 2010, the Air Force Network (AFNET), a robust digital information grid that enabled quick and meticulous threat responses, was launched.The operations carried out by it are Operation Meghdoot, Operation Vijay – the invasion of Goa, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai.It has also been involved in the United Nations peacekeeping missions.The President of the country serves to the India Air Force as a Commander-in-Chief.
As of 1 July 2017, the Indian Air Force has a sanctioned strength of 12,550 officers (12,404 serving with 146 under strength), and 142,529 airmen (127,172 serving with 15,357 under strength). Not only it has the responsibility to safeguard the Indian Territory from all risks, but also provide support during natural calamities to the affected areas. The IAF has been involved in numerous wars: World War II, Sino-Indian War, Operation Cactus, Operation Vijay, Kargil War, Indo-Pakistan War, Congo Crisis, Operation Poomalai,OperationPawan, and few others.
The Indian Air Force is celebrating 88th anniversary on October 8. The day will witness a grand parade and participation from IAF’s aircraft such as Rafales, Sukhois, LCATejas besides others. The celebrations are currently underway at IAF station Hindon and CDS General BipinRawat, along with three service chiefs, is present at the venue.
This day is celebrated with same zeal and pride at various Air Stations all over the country. All Air Force stations in several states will conduct their parades at their respective Air bases. Even the military parade will be conducted as per the same schedule and the protocol that is followed each year. The Supreme Commander of the IAF is the National Commander of the air force also contributes in many forms. In the last few years, Indian Air Force has been expanding immensely and has initiated the bringing up of women into the short service commissions.
With the induction of new platforms as well as training, the IAF has emerged as a dominant regional force that has proven its capabilities from time to time, most recently, with the Balakot strikes that destroyed the terror hideouts in Pakistan, across the line of control.
The ongoing process of modernisation with induction of Rafale, Apache and Chinook will transform the IAF into an even more formidable strategic force. Confident that in the years to come, the Indian Air Force will continue to maintain its high standards of commitment & competence.
Indian Air Force ranks as the fourth best operational airforce in the world.The Indian Air Force functions with the motto “Touching the Sky with Glory”.Indian Air Force is categorised into five operational and two functional commands.The Indian Air Force has the strength of about 170,000 personnel and more than 1,400 aircraft and considered as one of the leading air forces of world.The India Air Force has been engaged in the four wars with the Pakistan and one with People’s Republic of China after its independence.
The main attraction of the IAF Day parade is Rafale, underlining the importance of which, IAF chief RKS Bhadauria had said – Integration of Rafales brings in a platform which is way ahead and would give us an edge and capability to strike first and deep.
