Indian Air Force Day 2020 - 8 October
The fourth-best airforce in the world with around 1,500 aircraft and 1, 70,000 personnel after the United States, Russia, and China, India celebrates 88th Indian Air Force Day on 8 October, 2020. The pride and glory of India celebrates its birth anniversary on 8 October to raise awareness about the Indian air force in any organization of the national security both officially and publicly.
88th Indian Air Force Day Celebrations
On 8 October, 2020, the 88th Indian Air Force Day will be celebrated with zeal and pride at various Air Stations all over India. All Air Force stations in the Indian states will conduct parades at their respective Airbases.
Grand fly past in Air Force Day parade by Rafale fighter aircraft steal the show of IAF day celebration at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad. Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria addressed the 88th anniversary celebration of Indian Air Force at Hindon Air Force Station. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh attend the 88th Air Force Day celebrations.
On the 88th IAF Day, the grand fly past will feature 56 aircraft, including fighters, transport planes and helicopters. The grand fly past includes: the Tejas LCA, Jaguar, Mig-29, Mig-21 and Sukhoi-30, Mi17V5, ALH Mark-4, Chinook, Mi-35 and Apache, C-17, C-130, Dornier and DC-3 Dakota are part of the fly past at Air Force Day. Flares fired by the Eklavya formation including Apache and Mi-35 attack helicopters at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad.
IAF History
IAF motto ‘Touching the Sky with Glory’ envisages the zeal, vitality, ardour everywhere throughout the nation. The foundation of IAF was laid in the year 1932 with the enactment of the IAF Act 1932 to mark the auxiliary status and enforced the adoption of the Royal Air Force uniforms, badges, and brevets.
It was set up as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which brought honour to India's aviation service during the Second World War (WWII) with the prefix Royal. After India gained its independence in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force served in the name of Dominion of India. In 1950, with the government's transition to a Republic, the prefix Royal was removed.
With its headquarters in New Delhi, “Bhartiya Vayu Sena” is commenced as the air wing of the Indian Armed Forces. On April 1st, 1933, the IAF commissioned IAF's first squadron, No.1 Squadron, with four Westland Wapiti biplanes and five Indian pilots. The Indian pilots were led by British RAF Commanding officer Flight Lieutenant.
IAF Major Attraction
- - The President of India is the Supreme Commander-in-chief of the Air Force.
- - The Commander of the IAF is the Chief of the Air Staff with the rank of air chief marshal.
- - The first Indian developed jet aircraft is HAL HF-24 Marut. It is to enter into service and also the first in Asia to go beyond the test phase.
- - The fighter-bomber aircraft was developed by Hindustan Aircraft Limited (HAL).
- - In January 2002, the Government of India granted the rank of Marshal of the Air Force to Arjan Singh.
- - Arjan Singh was the first and the only Five-star officer with the IAF and ceremonial chief of the air force.
- - IAF is categorized into 5 operational and 2 functional commands.
- - In 2010, the Air Force Network (AFNET), a robust digital information grid that enabled quick and meticulous threat responses, was launched.
IAF Golden Operations:
- - IAF was involved in a war with Pakistan and China since 1950.
- - The other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus, and Operation Poomalai.
- - IAF has played important roles in UN operations worldwide, the annexation of Goa from Portugal, and various wars with Pakistan.
- - IAF supported the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka.
- - After the war with Pakistan in 1971, the IAF received the Param Vir Chakra, the highest award for gallantry in India, which was awarded posthumously to Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.
8th October, 2020 with the super advanced Rafale fighter aircraft addition in its inventory makes it more special and magnified 88th Indian Air Force Day. Also, the IAF inventory includes:
- - MiG series
- - Sukhoi Su-30
- - HAL Tejas
- - SEPECAT Jaguar
- - Boeing 707
- - Ilyushin series
- - Helicopters like HAL Dhruv, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for reconnaissance and surveillance
- - Missiles
