86th Raising Day of The Indian Air Force

08th October: Indian Air force Day

Valour Unhindered 

Courage Unparalleled

Determination Unmoved

Today, the whole nation is celebrating the 86th anniversary of the rise of the Indian Air Force, saluting the air warriors, beast of the skies and ruling it ruthlessly. The Indian Air Force is one of the ten strongest Air Forces in the world today. 

IAF has technologically evolved and grown in strength to thwart any threat to the nation.  It is committed to safeguard the Indian skies and has played a key role in providing assistance to the people of the country during any natural calamity.  The professionalism displayed by air-warriors during various international exercises reaffirms IAF’s ability to be an effective net security provider.  On this day, all men and women of IAF pay rich tribute to the untiring efforts and supreme sacrifice made by veterans, who laid a strong foundation for the service.

Today the President of India holds the rank of Supreme Commander of the IAF. The Chief of Air Staff, an air chief marshal, is a four-star officer and is responsible for the operational command of the Air Force. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa is the current Chief of Air Staff. The IAF’s mission is defined by the Armed Forces Act of 1947, the, and the Air Force Act of 1950. The IAF provides close air support to the Indian Army troops on the battlefield as well as strategic and tactical airlift capabilities. They always remain available at the time the nation needs them at the time of natural calamity or any man-made crisis.

IAF has started upgrading its combat aircraft fleet since the last few years in order to enhance its operational capability and maintain its aircraft as modern weapon platforms, capable of meeting the present challenges posed by the security scenario in our region. Of the available fleet, MiG-21, MiG-27 and Jaguar aircraft have already been upgraded and Mirage-2000 and MiG-29 aircraft are planned for upgradation. The Indian Air Force is considering an upgrade of its medium-lift helicopters comprising Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-17-IVs, as also the AN – 32 transport aircraft, with the aim of improving their overall capability.
 The IAF is also in the process of acquiring radars in various categories to meet the Air Defence requirements, accurate and advanced weapons, Network Centric Warfare systems, etc, to meet its assigned tasks.

HISTORY

Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932 by the British Empire. It held the status of auxiliary force of the British Empire that aided the army fighting on the land. India’s aviation service was awarded the name ‘Royal’ during the efforts made by them at the time of World War II.The name Royal Indian Air Force was kept even after India gained its Independence back from the United Kingdom. As our government got our own constitution and became a Republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed after three years. The adoption of the Royal Air Force uniforms, badges, brevets and insignia took place on the same day of its establishment in 1932. Since then, Indian Air Force Day is celebrated every year on 8th October. 

CELEBRATIONS

To mark the occasion and in keeping up with the tradition, a grand Parade cum Investiture Ceremony at Air Force Station Hindan (Ghaziabad) has been organized by the IAF. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, will review the parade.  Various dignitaries and veterans will participate in the celebrations. The parade has been initiated by an oath taking ceremony where the Commander in Chief is administering the oath of allegiance to all the Air Personnel as well as the Civilians present on the occasion to dedicate their lives to the larger cause, that is – Our Nation. The parade will be followed by a breath taking display by the Air Warrior Drill Team, wherein the team will showcase their weapon handling skills and carry out diverse manoeuvers with their rifles.  This will be followed by a scintillating air display by wide range of IAF aircraft including our cherished Vintage flight.

The air display commenced with flag bearing sky divers of famous Akash Ganga Team, who jumped from an An-32 aircraft.  Flypast will comprise of Mi-17 V5 and Rudra helicopters, Dornier, C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft, Jaguar, Bison, MiG-29, Mirage-2000 and SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft.  Dakota, Tiger Moth and Harvard of the IAF Vintage flight will also participate in the flypast.  Post flypast, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will carry out aerobatic display in front of the audience.  The Ambassadors of Indian Air Force, Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT), comprising on nine Hawk 132 aircraft and the Helicopter aerobatics team, Sarang will enthrall the audience with breath taking formation aerobatics display.  After the parade, all visitors will also get an opportunity to witness static display of aircraft, weapon, radar and missiles systems of the Indian Air Force.

Today, on the 86th Anniversary of Air Force Day, We salute our air warriors for their invaluable contribution towards preserving the Nation’s sovereignty by protecting our skies with great valour and fortitude.