By NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force Day on Thursday commemorated its foundation day. The Air Force Day is celebrated to mark the day the IAF was established in 1932. The force will celebrate its 88th anniversary this year.
The commemoration will be marked by a flypast by a host of aircraft and choppers, including the newly inducted Rafale fighter jets.
#WATCH Rafale fighter jet carries out a minimum radius turn within an area smaller than a hockey field forming a figure of eight, on the 88th IAF day, at Hindon airbase pic.twitter.com/3GB7CMs0YX
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 8, 2020
Induction of new planes will make IAF even more formidable force: President Ram Nath Kovind.
The President said, “On Air Force Day, we proudly honour our air warriors, veterans, and families of the Indian Air Force.”
He said the nation remains indebted to the contribution of the IAF in securing skies and assisting civil authorities in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.
The president said he is confident that in the years to come, the Indian Air Force will continue to maintain its high standards of commitment and competence.
The ongoing process of modernisation with the induction of Rafale, Apache and Chinook aircraft will transform the Indian Air Force into an even more formidable strategic force, said the President.
#WATCH: Flares fired by the Eklavya formation including Apache and Mi-35 attack helicopters at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad.#AirForceDay2020 pic.twitter.com/ps70ymRp3X
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 8, 2020
Your courage, valour and dedication to protecting Maa Bharati is inspiring: PM Narendra Modi
In a tweet in Hindi, PM Narendra Modi said, “Many congratulations to all the brave warriors of the Indian Air Force on Air Force Day. You not only keep the skies of the country safe but also play a leading role in the service of humanity in times of disaster. Your courage, valour and dedication to protecting Maa Bharati is inspiring for everyone.”
He also attached a short video highlighting the importance of Air Force Day. In the one minute 19 second video, Modi says, the journey of IAF began on October 8, 1932, with six pilots and 19 Air Force personnel. And now Indian Air Force is one of the strongest air forces across the globe and this journey is incredible.
#WATCH Ghaziabad: Paratroopers from IAF’s skydiving team Akash Ganga undergo full dress rehearsal at Hindon Air Force base, ahead of the Indian Air Force Day on 8th October pic.twitter.com/UyzilEKwvg
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 6, 2020
IAF will always guard the nation’s skies, come what may: Rajnath Singh
The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended his greetings and best wishes to all air warriors and their families. He expressed his commitment for enhancement of IAF’s combat capability through modernisation and indigenisation.
“I am confident that the IAF will always guard the nation’s skies, come what may. Here’s wishing you blue skies and happy landings always,” he said.
#WATCH Ghaziabad: Indian Air Force’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) performing a drill during the full dress rehearsal of IAF Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station, ahead of the Indian Air Force Day on October 8 pic.twitter.com/bKVKqjNV8L
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 6, 2020
IAF is undergoing a transformational change: IAF chief
“I commend all air warriors for quick response in the recent standoff on the northern frontiers when we deployed our combat assets at short notice to handle any eventuality and provided proactive support to all requirements of deployment & sustenance for Indian Army,” said IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.
“This year has indeed been an unprecedented one. As Covid-19 spread across the globe, our nation’s response was firm. The tenacity and resolve of our air warriors ensured that IAF continued to retain its capability to undertake full-scale operations throughout this period,” he added.
#WATCH Ghaziabad: IAF’s helicopter display team Sarang performs aerobatic stunts during the full dress rehearsal of IAF Day Parade at Hindon Air Force Station, ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8 pic.twitter.com/GIuof0ROmo
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 6, 2020
What aircraft are participating in the ceremony?
A total of 56 aircraft will be there for aerial display and 11 jets on static display. As per the full dress-rehearsal, Tejas LCA, Jaguar, Mig-29, Mig-21 and Sukhoi-30 aircraft were part of the ceremony. IAF’s helicopter fleet like Mi17V5, ALH Mark-4, Chinook, Mi-35 and Apache were also part of the flypast, along with planes like C-17, C-130, Dornier and DC-3 Dakota. Suryakiran aerobatic team and Sarang aerobatic team will also be displaying their skills during the flypast.
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