The Indian Air Force Day is a reminder of the selfless contribution of these unsung heroes and makes us realize that because of them we are living in a safe world. This year (2023) marks the 91st anniversary of the Indian Air Force.
Indian Air Force is ranked the fourth most largest and powerful Air Force in the world and we don’t have an iota of doubt that our flying heroes are the best!
India has been celebrating this day as a tribute to the Indian Air Force and a display of its courage and valor to the nation.
Indian Air Force Day History
Indian Air Force Day is celebrated on October 8 every year as on this day the Indian Air Force was officially raised as the supporting force of the Royal Air Force of the UK, in 1932. In April 1933, the first operational squadron was introduced.
The Air force in India was called the Royal Indian Air Force after the participation of India in World War II in the mid-1940s. After Republic in 1950, it came to be known as the Indian Air Force. The Air Force stands at the fourth largest in the world after starting with only six officers and 19 Hawai Sepoys in 1933.
The event highlights the various functions with the participation of various IAF veterans and ‘Bada Khana’ for the officers of the units present at the station.
Till 2005-06, for several years, Air Force Day was celebrated at Palam. But with the rising air traffic issues, it was transferred to Hindon Air Force Base, Ghaziabad, which has two squadrons of transport aircraft and a helicopter unit.
Significance
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of officers and airplane resources positions fourth among the flying corps of the world. Its essential mission is to keep the Indian airspace safe and to lead ethereal fighting during armed conflict.
Since 1950, the IAF has been engaged in four conflicts with Pakistan. Other significant activities attempted by the IAF incorporate Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus, and Operation Poomalai. The IAF’s main goal grows past commitment, with the IAF taking part in United Nations peacekeeping missions as well.
The President of India holds the position of Supreme Commander of the IAF. As of July 1, 2017, 1,39,576 officers are serving in the Indian Air Force. The Chief of the Air Staff is a four-star officer and is answerable for the greater part of the functional order of the Air Force.
There will never be more than one serving ACM at a particular time in the IAF. The position of Marshal of the Air Force has been presented by the President of India on one event ever, to Arjan Singh. On January 26, 2002, Singh turned into the first thus far, just five-star rank official of the IAF.
Theme
The theme of Indian Air Force Day 2022 is yet to declare. Last year (2021) theme was ‘Touch the Sky with Glory’. In 2020 “the untiring efforts and supreme sacrifices of its personnel”.
The year 2019 witnessed the theme of “Know your Air Force”. The event included a marvelous display of commando forces like ‘Garud’, ambassadors, IAF helicopters, sky diving teams, special operations teams, combat units, missile systems, and radar structures.
Whereas, in 2018, various aircraft like Tejas LCA, Jaguar, and other fighter pilots displayed their glory in the sky, and in the year 2017, there were Scandinavian air show teams along with Indian Aerobatic teams Sarang and Surya Kiran. The highlight of the show was a performance by “Dance of Daredevils”.
How is Indian Air Force Day Celebrated?
On the eve of Air Force Day 2022, Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs laid wreaths at the National War Memorial, paying homage to those who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation. pic.twitter.com/ufwEu4CNA5
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) October 7, 2022
The highlights of the event at the Hindon Air Force Base contain a display of parade air warriors. It additionally has an investiture function where the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) honors the men in uniform with medals.
Consistently, aside from being broadcast, the occasion is additionally gone to by an enormous number of serving and veteran air heroes and their families and residents. This year the number of participants will be significantly less because of COVID limitations set up. The day’s events also customarily incorporate an ‘at home’ gathering facilitated by the CAS.
Indian Air Force Day 2023 will witness the event with a scintillating air display and parade. Recently, the Air Force posted four pictures from the rehearsal of the Air Force Day parade, to take place at Ghaziabad. They released the pictures on their Twitter handle with #AviationPhotoAlert and wrote, “When you know how to be Smart and Pretty- Ways of the World”. They also shared a hashtag inspired by Coldplay #ThisBoyIsElectric.
Images from IAF Twitter
The IAF, on a press release, said that the air display will showcase different aircraft on October 8. The event will begin at 8.00 am, with flag-bearing skydivers unfurling it out of AN-32 aircraft, followed by a flypast with heritage aircraft, modern transport aircraft, and frontline fighter aircraft.
The marvelous event will be concluded with a “spellbinding display of aerobatics” before 11 am, at 10.52 am.
The 89th Air Force Day display will be held over areas of Wazirpur bridge, Karwalnagar, Afjalpur, Hindan, Shamli, Jiwana, Chandinagar, Hapur, Philkua, Ghaziabad. Regarding this, the IAF has requested all the residents of the area to not throw eatables or garbage in the open as that would attract the birds of the area, which would be dangerous for the flying pilots. “Please call/SMS officer in charge bird hazard combat team (BHCT) on cell no 9434378478,” the IAF said in a press release.
Some Unknown Facts
- The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world, following the US, China, and Russia.
- The Indian Air Force carries the motto of ‘Nabham Sparsham Deeptham’, meaning, ‘Touch The Sky With Glory’, taking its motto from the Bhagavad Gita’s 11th chapter.
- Indian Air Force consists of approximately 1400 aircraft and around 170,000 officers.
- The Air Force Station at Hindon, Ghaziabad, is the largest airbase in Asia. It ranks 8th largest in the world.
- The IAF has been taking part in relief operations for decades: the Gujarat Cyclone (1998), the Tsunami (2004), and various floods in North India are a few of its relief operations. And IAF made a world record during Uttarakhand flash floods. IAF managed to rescue around 20,000 people and the mission was named ‘Raahat’.
- IAF also involves many women fighter pilots, women navigators, and officers. The latest Rafale team also consists of a woman fighter pilot.
A Happy Indian Air Force Day to all and a salute to our Air Force Pilots!
