The foundation day of the Air Force, is observed on the 8th of October every year as Indian Air Force Day. Read read it’s significance, how it is celebrated, operational contribution and many other interesting facts in this article.
Along with the help of the Army during the battle with the enemy, the Indian Air Force has been showing its courage, valor, and prudence equally during the natural calamities coming into the country. which specializes in vanishing the enemy in just a blink of an eye between harsh and uneven conditions.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1933 | First squadron raised on 1 April |
| 1947-1948, 1965, 1971, 1999 | Engaged in four major conflicts with Pakistan |
| 1950 | Renamed as the Indian Air Force |
| 1962 | Participated in the Sino-Indian War |
| 1999 | Participated in the Kargil War |
| 2019 | Participated in the Balakot airstrike |
Indian Air force Day
The occasion made its debut in 1932. Every year the it unfolds an anniversary of this day. At many Air Force bases across the nation, Airforce personnel celebrate it with utmost devotion and fervor.
This day commemorates the founding of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to support the ground forces. Also known as the “Bhartiya Vayu Sena,” is an organization with devotion for increasing national security and authority, and the day also tries to raise awareness of this.
In the Second World War before independence and in the wars with India-Pakistan and China after independence, it has shown its might.
Significance of Indian Air Force Day celebration
Since its founding on October 8, 1932, the IAF has participated in a number of crucial missions. And in 1933 the first squadron of IAF was raised. Thus the it has a substantial significance in the military fraternity. And also it spreads awareness about the force across the nation. Aspiring young minds to come and join this prestigious honor of serving motherland.
IAF initially finds its roots as a British Raj auxiliary air force. The IAF proved to be a strong defense force during World War II, especially in Burma. The IAF became renamed as the Royal Indian Air Force in 1945 as a result of its unheralded sacrifice and achievement (RIAF).
After Independence from the Britishers in 1947, when the nation called a republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was deleted.
How the Indian Airforce Day is Celebrated?
Every Air Force base throughout the nation, this day is enthusiastically and proudly observed. At their respective facilities in the region, all Air Force units from different states hold parades.
At Hindon base near Ghaziabad, complete dress rehearsals for the air display by multiple aircraft have already started on October 6. On this specific day, planes will fly at a number of locations across the nation at low altitudes. In recent years, this has expanded significantly and started hiring women for temporary commissions.
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The Air Force has also proved its capability in the UN Peacekeeping Mission. Along with all this, the Indian Air Force has been consistently showing its courage, valor, and understanding during the natural calamities that have come into the country.
Facts you should know about Indian Air Force
The Air Force, along with the Army and Navy, is making a unique contribution to the security and service of the country.
The motto of the Indian Air Force is नभस्पर्श दीप्तम् (Nabhasparsh Deeptam) in Sanskrit and ‘Touch the Sky with Glory’ in English, while the motto is आकाशे शुत्रन् जहि (Akashe Shutran Jahi) in Sanskrit and ‘Kill the Enemy in the Sky’ in English.
With the proclamation of these motto sentences, the army personnel of The Indian Air Force crackdown on the enemy and write a new story of triumphs.
IAF in Sino-India War 1962
The history of the IAF has been very glorious since its inception. History is a signatory to the endless examples of its unmatched achievements. In October 1962, during the Indo-China war, the sheer tactics shown by the Indian Air Force amidst the odds and the formidable challenges were astonishing.
IAF in Indo-Pak Conflict 1965
Subsequently, during the Indo-Pak War of September 1965, the Air Force demonstrated its courage and valor by assisting the Army through its vampires, FBMK-52, Mister, Canberra, Hunter, Nate, etc., and helped in dissolving Pakistan in the dust and played an important role.
In the second war with Pakistan in December 1971, the Indian Air Force Supported the Indian Army to defeat and surrendering the entire Pakistani army on its knees. In this war, the IAF, with its aggressive and irrefutable strikes, destroyed the enemy’s communication system and kept its armament store in abeyance. Even during the Kargil War in May 1999, it has a legendary contribution.
The Air Force gave effective and miraculous support to the army, which made the enemies immovable on the difficult and inaccessible hills. As a result, the enemies of the nation were forced to run back.
The Indian Air Force has played an unmatched role in every military operation in the country. In April 1984, With the Indian Army, made tremendous support in the mission to gain control over the Siachen Glacier in North Ladakh.
The Air Force has a long list of unique and imprecise feats such as providing logistic material, sending troops, and all other assistance to the world’s highest, most difficult, and odd cold war zones, which makes everyone after reading this press their fingers under the teeth.
The IAF Contribution in Important Operations
The contribution of the Indian Air Force to ‘Operation Pawan’, in 1987 is in annals of history with golden words. This operation ran continuously for 30 months. It was an expedition of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. During this expedition, Air Force transport ships and helicopters flew more than 70,000 flights and helped one lakh troops and paramilitary forces while maintaining unceasing air connectivity.
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The Air Force carried out a number of adventurous feats such as providing logistics, armaments, and other supplies as well as transporting the injured to the proper location. The unique contribution made by the Indian Air Force during Operation Cactus in 1988 can never be forgotten. In fact, the Maldives was attacked by mercenaries and at that time the Maldives appealed to India to provide immediate help.
IAF in Operation CACTUS
This ‘Operation Cactus’ was carried out as effective and immediate action on this appeal. Apart from all this, from October 1993 to December 1994, it made a very commendable contribution to the peace restoration drive in Somalia. At the same time, the Indian Air Force has been performing brilliantly in the peace missions of the United Nations, which is convincing to the whole world.
The Air Force has always made an unwavering and unique contribution during natural disasters in the country. For this no matter how much you praise and admire the Indian Air Force, it won’t be adequate.
The Indian Air Force is known in the world as one of the leading forces for tactical, strategic, and boldness. It has a total of five commands, including Western Command, Central Command, Eastern Command, South-Western Command, and Southern Command.
At present, the Indian Air Force has a large fleet of over 2000 combat and other aircraft. Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft are the pride of the Indian Air Force. These are the next-generation fighter aircraft. It is a two-seater, two-engine multipurpose supersonic jet that flies with a speed of 2500 km per hour.
Having a tremendous capability to carry nuclear bombs on with many sophisticated and dangerous missiles from air-air and air-surface. Equipping with lethal weapons and with a weight of 8000 kg.
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Now France’s advanced and havoc Rafale aircraft and Russia’s ‘Super Sukhoi’ aircraft will be adorning the Indian Air Force. In July 2016, the indigenous fighter aircraft ‘Tejas’ added flavours in the Indian Air Force.
IAF in Nutshell
These have led to an unprecedented increase in the strength of the Air Force. According to the information received, at present, there are about 1 lakh 27 thousand brave soldiers serving the country and more than 2000 fighter aircraft are the honor of the Indian Air Force.
The brave fighters have also made their presence in the list of gallantry medals on the strength of their heroism and determination. In 1972, Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon receives the highest gallantry award, the Paramveer Chakra (PVC).
His selfless action on the battlefield in 1971, sets a unique example of courage against the enemy. Apart from them, so far 21 Bravehearts of the Air Force are decorated with ‘Mahavir Chakra’. Around 204 embellished with ‘Veer Chakra’. Their unparalleled service have bagged 2 Air Force knights, Flight Lieutenant Suas Biswas (1953) and Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma (1985) have were awarded with Ashok Chakra, the highest award given during peacetime.
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Along with this, 34 IAF Personnel adorn ‘Kirti Chakra‘ and 159 heroes ‘Shaurya Chakra’. In addition, thousands of other Indian Airmen have the ‘Air Force Medal‘, ‘ Param Vishisht Seva Medal ‘,’ Vishisht Seva Medal ‘,’ Vishisht Seva Medal ‘,’ Best War Seva Madal ‘,’ Uttam Seva Madal ‘,’ Yudh Seva Madel ‘, etc.
Conclusion
Overall, the Indian Air Force is one of the best in the world both in service and security. It sets standards for others to replicate in order to establish themselves. The Indian Air Force’s fascinating dignity, warm-up, prompt preparation, extreme aggression, and extraordinary ability to shoot down enemies in a blink of an eye and protect the nation’s skies, our heartfelt salute to the Indian Air Force.
