Indian Air Force celebrates the 88th Air Force Day on Thursday, October 8. The day is marked by the main event comprising a parade and flypast at Hindon Air Force Base, as well as events at IAF facilities across the country, this time with many restrictions due to the pandemic. A look at the reasons why the day is celebrated, the traditions attributed to it and its meaning.
Air Force Day, October 8
- October 8 is celebrated as Air Force Day because on this day the Air Force in India was officially established in 1932 as a support force for the Royal Air Force of the Kingdom. -United.
- The first operational squadron was formed in April 1933. After participating in World War II, the Indian Air Force became the Royal Indian Air Force in the mid-1940s.
- In 1950, after birth from the republic, it became the Indian Air Force. Out of six officers and 19 sepoys from Hawaii in 1933, the Air Force is now the fourth largest in the world.
- For several decades until 2005-2006, Air Force Day was marked by the main event, the parade, and the flyover at Palam. But due to growing air traffic problems, he moved to the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, which is home to, among other things, two squadrons of transport planes and a helicopter unit.
- Aerial flybys and occasional displays have traditionally shown air force aircraft and systems in service. Air Force Day events and traditions
- The main event at Hindon Air Base includes a parade of male and female air warriors. It also has an investiture ceremony where the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) places medals on the uniforms of those who have been declared recipients.
- Each year, in addition to being televised, the event is also attended by large numbers of serving and retired military personnel, air warriors, and their families and citizens.
- This year, the number of participants will be much smaller due to current COVID restrictions. CAS Air RKS Chief Marshal Bhadauria will review the parade on Thursday.
- The day’s celebrations also traditionally include an “at home” reception hosted by CAS, attended by key government officials and senior officials. Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal PV Naik (retired) said: “In addition to the parade, the medal ceremony and the air parade, a key feature is the function is the speech of the chief of the force aerial. Where the leader addresses not only the warriors of the air but also the nation. In this speech, the air chief addresses the existing situation and attempts to present a roadmap. It is a day when the brave warriors of the air, men and women, reaffirm their determination to protect the nation. “
- The flypast consists of the display of various fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, as well as an aerobatic display. A full dress rehearsal for the event was held on Tuesday.
- This year the Tejas LCA, Mig-29 and 21 and Sukhoi-30 will be presented as well as the new Rafale aircraft. It will also have helicopters such as the Mi17V5, Chinook, Mi-35, ALH Rudra and Apache and transport aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster, C-130, IL-76 Gajraj, among others.
- Suryakiran’s fixed-wing aerobatic team and the Sarang helicopter aerobatic team will also be key attractions.
- At IAF stations across the country, the event is punctuated by a variety of functions, including a gathering of area IAF veterans and a bada khana for staff from stationed units.
- This year, while veterans meetings have been suspended in most formations, other celebrations have also been reduced due to the pandemic.
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